DirletonSchool Partnership Meeting
Date: 27th August 2014
Present:Miranda Mayes (Chair)
SashaSpring (Vice Chair)
Mark Baird (Treasurer)
Sam Hutchison
Mandy Shankley
Jo Hood
Heather Munro
Sonia Bruce
Pam Smith
Sharon Wellwood
In attendance: Brian Moody (Head Teacher)
Tim Day (East Lothian Council)
Apologies:Carol Middleton
Colin & Miryam Fergusson
Alison & Eddie Clark
Pauline Black
Nat Spring
Jane Hogg
Welcome
Miranda welcomed everyone to the meeting especially new P1 mums Jo Hood and Sharon Wellwood. It was noted that Elly Hamilton would also like to become a member but was unable to make the meeting.
Action: Elly’s details to be obtained by Miranda
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the previous meeting held 10/7/14 were discussed and were approved.
Mark stated that he did not appear to be on the DSP mailing list as he did not receive a copy of the minutes.
With reference to the Parent Council Budget it was noted that both Sam and Jane had completed the food hygiene course but it was unclear if Adalene had.
Action: Mark to be added to DSP mailing list by Miranda
Action: Adalene to be asked about completion of the food hygiene course by Miranda.
Head Teacher Report
See Report attached.
Treasurers Report
The Treasurer presented the current balance as known. However, some figures were missing which have been checked and show the current balance as £8,650.47, with the following expenditure commitments outstanding:
-estimated £1,956.88 from the Civic Pride Fund (this may change by a few pounds)
-£1,034.75 of cheques outstanding
-£200 to pay for grass cutting
-£2,600 to go to the school for the library
-£300 for PE kit.
There was income due of £1,573.78 from the Dinner at Dusk fundraising event (the total amount raised was £4785.55, before expenses, and this was shared between us and Dirleton Playgroup).
Assuming that £1,000 should always be kept in reserve, this gives an available balance of £3,132.62, to beconfirmed at the next meeting.
Sonia also advised the DSP that a huge “thank you” should go to Andy Wilkie as he does not want to invoice us for the wood for the planters he made for the playground, he has donated these to the school.
Action: Mark to prepare a statement and arrange an audit of accounts
Action: Sasha will enquire with friends and Mr Moody will enquire at the next DVA meeting for an accountant who may be willing to do our accounts as a favour or a nominal fee.
Action: Mirandawill check if the budget we get from ELC can cover the payment of the audit and whether the Council is able to recommend a Parent Council friendly auditor.
Office Bearers
Clerk – The role of clerk has yet to be filled. East Lothian Council have re-advertised this role and will do so in the DSP Newsletter and on the website.
East Lothian Association of Council Members Meeting
The next meeting is on 03/09/14. Nat Spring will be attending this meeting. He is looking for others to go to future meetings. They are held every two months.
Sasha asked if anyone had anything they wanted bought up at the meeting.
The topic of teacher secondments was discussed as a possible question to be asked by Nat.
North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership
We are still looking for someone to agree to go along to these meetings. It would have to be the same person for all meetings.
Planning Developments
Tim Day stated that ELC are currently working on a local plan. 10,000 new houses are needing to be built in East Lothian by 2024, as there was a shortfall built in 2007/2008.
7 sites submissions in Dirleton have been put forward and are being considered for inclusion in the Main Issues Report, a consultation document due out at the end of October which forms the basis of the next Local Development Plan.
The development at Ware Road has been refused planning permission as it was deemed to be too dense. The developer may appeal this refusal to the Council’s Local Review Body or submit a fresh application for a less dense development (circa. 23 units).
French Club
Miryam has asked if the French Club could be paid for by the DSP instead of asking parents to pay in order to ensure that all children that wish to attend are able to. As there are many demands on our funds this year the pros and cons of doing so were discussed, as well as the option of paying half. As it is a relatively small amount, it was decided that we would pay the full cost for a trial of 1 term to see if the numbers attending increased and reflected the desired objective of greater inclusivity. This will be reviewed at the beginning of term 2.
DSP Event Planning 2014-2015
Some suggestions for this term were:
Christmas Fair
Christmas Hamper
Christmas Cards
Bag packing at Tesco
Halloween Party - it was agreed that we should have a Halloween disco on the 30th October in the school hall. It was agreed it should be split P1-3 and P4-7 – times to be discussed. Jo and Mandi agreed to organise it for the P1-3s and seek help from others on the night and to run the P4-7 disco.
Ongoing: School coffee mornings, Yellow Moon catalogue? Edupayment.
Action: Miranda to organise the school let for the Halloween Disco. Sam will ask Andy Saunders about providing the disco. Jo and Mandi to organise the P1-3 disco and seek help for the P4-7 disco (to run it and help).
Future Meeting Date
Tuesday 30th September 2014.
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