Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Fiona McCallum Tel: 01546 604392
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Minutes: Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Donald Kelly, Alistair MacDougall and Robert E Macintyre and from William Crossan, Church Representative, Alison Palmer, Teacher Representative and William Marshall, Teacher Representative. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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Community Services Committee 12 March 2015 Minutes: The Minute of the Community Services Committee held on 12 March 2015 was approved as a correct record. |
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PERFORMANCE REPORT FQ4 2014-2015 Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: Consideration was given to a report on the Community Services financial quarter four performance scorecard and the Executive Director responded to a number of questions arising from this report. Decision The Committee noted the performance for the quarter. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 13 May 2015, submitted) |
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Councillors Devon, MacDonald and Philand joined the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item. |
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INSIGHT PROGRESS UPDATE Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: A report providing an update regarding information released by Insight the new Scottish Government toolkit was considered. Insight replaces STACs (Standard Tables and Charts) previously used to analyse and compare Scottish Qualification Award (SQA) results. Decision The Committee agreed:- a) to note the outcomes for Argyll and Bute Learners illustrated through the four dashboard measures provided by Insight; b) to note the progress of Education in introducing Insight in Schools as contained at Section 6.1 of the report; c) to the recommendations at Section 7.1 to expand self-evaluation approaches to include use of Insight across the Education Service leading to improved outcomes for young people; and d) to continue to support the work of the Education Service in supporting schools to secure continuous improvement in outcomes for Argyll and Bute learners. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 4 June 20915, submitted) |
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DEVELOPING SCOTLAND'S YOUNG WORKFORCE Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: A report giving an overview of the Scottish Government Youth Employment Strategy ‘Developing the Young Workforce’ which was launched in December 2014 was considered along with the detail of Argyll and Bute’s response to the recommendations outlined in the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, the paper upon which the strategy is based. Decision The Committee agreed:- a) to note the Scottish Government Youth Employment Strategy and support Argyll and Bute’s proposed approach to Developing the Young Workforce locally; b) to endorse and support the continued utilisation of the Youth Employment Opportunities Fund to support vulnerable young people to access and sustain positive destinations; c) to continue to support work placements within Argyll and Bute Council and ABC Modern Apprenticeship programme; d) to support the setting up of an Argyll and Bute Invest in Young People Group; and e) to note that the work of the Council’s Employability Team will be imbedded into future reports on Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 4 June 2015, submitted) |
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ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS REVIEW UPDATE Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: A report providing an update of the review of Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision by Education Services as outlined in the Community Services Committee report of 12 March 2015 was considered. Decision The Committee agreed:- a) the areas for immediate development ASN as outlined in section 5.6 of the Executive Director’s report; b) to note the areas for further development as outlined in section 5.7 of the Executive Director’s report; c) to note the wider consideration of Additional Support Needs provision as part of the Service Choices programme; and d) that information should be circulated to the Members of the Committee on the number of pupils in each area requiring Additional Support Needs and the number of specialist staff employed to support these children. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 5 June 2015, submitted) |
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PROVISIONS OF THE EDUCATION (SCOTLAND) BILL Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: A report providing the Committee with information on the provisions of the Education (Scotland) Bill was considered. Decision The Committee noted the provisions being placed on education authorities from the Education (Scotland) Bill. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 7 May 2015, submitted) |
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EDUCATION STANDARDS AND QUALITY REPORT 2013/14 Report by Executive Director – Community Services Additional documents: Minutes: A report providing a copy of the Education Services Standards & Quality Report for session 2013/2014 was considered. The report was presented in a revised format based around the principle high level questions as outlined within Quality Management in Education (QMIE), the self evaluation framework used by the Education function of the local authority. The report presented the major achievements made within Education in Argyll and Bute across the session 2013/14 and included the SQA examination results for pupils who sat examinations in May/June 2014. Decision The Committee agreed:- a) to endorse the revised report in preparing and publishing Standards & Quality Reports; b) to note the continuing progress made in relation to Education within Argyll and Bute; c) to note the commitment of staff and the success and achievements of the children and young people; and d) to the publication of this Standards & Quality Report for 2013/14. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 5 May 2015 and Standards and Quality in Argyll and Bute Schools 2013/14, submitted) |
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TEACHING STAFF RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND LEADERSHIP IN ARGYLL AND BUTE "GROWING OUR OWN" Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: A report providing an update on current practice and future developments related to Teacher Recruitment and Retention including “Growing Our Own” in place in Argyll and Bute was considered. Decision The Committee agreed:- a) to note the current practice and the future developments for teacher recruitment and leadership programme; b) to support the involvement with partner organisations such as University of the Highlands and Islands and SCEL to improve the professional competence and skills of teachers; and c) to note that financial support will be required for access to the Headship Qualification and that funding of the new qualification is under discussion but it is anticipated that the qualification will require partnership funding by Scottish Government , the local authority and individuals undertaking the qualification. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 4 June 2015, submitted) |
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SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2016/2017 Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: A report presenting information on the proposals for setting of school holiday arrangements for Argyll and Bute for session 2016/2017 which require to be set by the Council was considered. Decision The Committee agreed:- a) to the proposals for school holiday arrangements in session 2016/2017; b) that the incorporation of in-service and additional holidays agreed by the Executive Director be intimated to Area Committees; and c) that the final patterns of school holidays and in-service days be circulated widely thereafter, as appropriate. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 30 April 2015, submitted) |
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VALIDATED SELF EVALUATION FOR EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: A report advising of the proposal by Education Scotland to undertake a process of Validated Self Evaluation (VSE) with all Scottish Educational Psychology Services over the next two years was considered. The report detailed the suggested themes for consideration during this process within Argyll and Bute. Decision The Committee agreed:- a) to note the planned programme of VSE for Educational Psychology Services, in particular the proposed timescale for Argyll and Bute; b) the approach identified by Educational Psychology Services in response to the national programme; and c) that a further report on the progress of the VSE for Educational Psychology services be presented to a future Community Services Committee. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 22 April 2015, submitted) |
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The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed to adjourn the meeting at 1.10 pm for lunch. The Committee reconvened at 1.40 pm. Councillor Freeman did not return to the meeting. |
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STRATEGIC COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT (CLD) PARTNERSHIP PLAN Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: Consideration was given to a report advising of the responsibilities laid on the Community Planning Partnership by the ‘Strategic Guidance for Community Planning Partnerships: Community Learning and Development (CLD)’ 2012 and the duties in the associated legislation laid on the Education Authority. The report also advised of the progress of work carried out in response to these requirements by the Argyll and Bute Strategic Community Learning and Development (CLD) Partnership, with particular reference to the innovative web-based plan format that has been adopted. Decision The Committee agreed:- a) to note the contents of the report; and b) to endorse the approach taken to the development of the Plan. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 21 April 2015, submitted) |
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INTEGRATION OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE Joint report by Chief Officer - Health & Social Care Integration and Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: A report providing an update on progress of the integration of Health and Social Care in Argyll and Bute was considered. Decision The Committee agreed:- a) to note the legislation and timescale of integration; b) to note the scope of delegation, profile of services and resources; c) to note the approval process for the Integration Scheme; d) to note progress to date on the Strategic Plan; and e) to continue to monitor progress and influence, where necessary, the content of the Strategic Plan. (Reference: Joint report by Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Integration and Executive Director – Community Services, submitted) |
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CARERS (SCOTLAND) BILL Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: Consideration was given to a report advising of the Carers (Scotland) Bill introduced by the Scottish Government to parliament on 9 March 2015. The Bill sets out the legislative provisions which, once implemented, will further support both adult and young carers in Scotland. Decision The Committee agreed:- a) to note the publication of the Carers (Scotland) Bill and the likely impact on Argyll and Bute Council; and b) to note that the Council through COSLA Leaders raised concerns during the consultation on the proposals for a Carers Bill and that COSLA Leaders will continue to raise these issues with the Scottish Government as the Bill passes through the Parliament. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 29 April 2015, submitted) |
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JOINT INSPECTION OF OLDER PEOPLE'S SERVICES Report by Executive Director – Community Services Additional documents: Minutes: A report providing an update on progress to date relating to the inspection of Older People’s Services by Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Care Inspectorate in Argyll and Bute was considered. Decision The Committee agreed to note that:- a) the inspection of Older People’s Services is now underway across Argyll and Bute; b) the inspection commenced on 4 February 2015 and runs for 24 weeks; c) the findings of the inspection will be drawn together by the inspection agencies and presented to Council and NHS Highland at the end of August 2015; d) the Inspection Agencies will make recommendations relating to improvement actions required at the end of August 2015 and the Council and NHS Highland will produce an improvement plan to address any issues identified as a result of this external scrutiny; and e) a new Joint Improvement Plan for 2015/16 has now been completed through a re-invigorated approach to Self Evaluation activity and that this Plan was reviewed at the Joint Managers meeting and will be endorsed at the Health and Social Care Partnership meeting in June 2015. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 15 April 2015 and Joint Improvement Plan – Adult Care 2015-16, submitted) |
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COMMUNITY SERVICES WORK PLAN 2015/2016 Report by Executive Director – Community Services Minutes: Consideration was given to the outline work plan to facilitate forward planning of reports to the Community Services Committee. Decision The Committee noted the outline work plan and agreed that the report on ICT Strategy for Education be moved to the December 2015 meeting. (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated June 2015, submitted) |
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The Committee noted that Jim Robb, Head of Adult Care, would be retiring from the Council before the next meeting of the Community Services Committee. The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked him for his enormous contribution to Social Work over the years which was greatly appreciated. Councillor Devon also gave thanks for his commitment to Argyll and Bute over the years. |