Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Maurice Corry, Mary-Jean Devon, Julie McKenzie and Aileen Morton.

There were no declarations of interest.

Community Services Committee 2 June 2016

The Minute of the Community Services Committee held on 2 June 2016 was approved as a correct record.

With reference to item 8 – School Holidays 2017–18, it was noted that the final pattern of schools holidays and in-service days would be presented for consideration at the December Community Services Committee meeting as further consultation was still underway with the appropriate Unions.

Presentation by Jeannie Holles, Adult Learning Manager

Consideration was given to a presentation on the work undertaken by the Adult Learning and Literacies Service to support individuals over the age of 16 years with significant to very severe issues to enable them to communicate effectively, to find work or to get help with services they need.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    thanked the Adult Learning Manager for her very informative presentation and noted the valuable service provided by the Adult Learning and Literacies Service; and

2.    congratulated the Welfare Reform Working Group on receiving the overall Scottish IRRV Award for their USDL (Universal Support Delivered Locally) trial and Excellence in Partnership Working.

Councillor Elaine Robertson joined the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item.

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Consideration was given to a report on the Community Services FQ1 Performance Scorecard.

Decision

The Committee noted the performance for the quarter.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 12 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Consideration was given to a report advising Members of the outcome of the process of consultation on the Education Vision and Strategy - Our Children, Their Future, which was prepared by Education Services to allow the Service to effectively respond to the changing national and local policy contexts and, in doing so, ensure the future delivery of an Education Service which supports our children, young people and communities to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.    to note the consultation feedback on the draft Education Vision and Strategy;

2.    that the draft Strategy should be circulated by the Acting Executive Director – Community Services to all elected Members for comment; and

3.    to refer to Council the final approval of the draft Strategy.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated September 2016 and Draft of Education Vision and Strategy document, submitted)

Councillors Elaine Robertson and Councillor Robert E Macintyre left the meeting at this point.

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report advising Members of the recently published Delivery Plan for Scottish Education and the implications arising from the Delivery Plan for both the Council and Education Services was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:-

1.    note the publication of “Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education: a Delivery Plan for Scotland”;

2.    note the implications for Education Services in meeting the requirements set out within the Delivery Plan; and

3.    note that a progress report will be presented to a future Community Services Committee meeting.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 8 September 2016, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report advising the Committee of the planned inspection of the Education functions of Argyll and Bute Council was considered.  It was noted leaders of the Opposition Groups had indicated at the meeting they wanted to be included in interviews as part of the inspection activity.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:

1.    note the planned INEA inspection of the Education Services of Argyll and Bute Council;

2.    note the timetable associated with the inspection; and

3.    request the Executive Director of Community Services to bring a report confirming the outcome of the inspection to a future meeting of the Community Services Committee.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 25 July 2016, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report updating Members on the revised school inspection framework implemented by Education Scotland from August 2016 was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:-

1.    note the revised school inspection framework implemented by Education Scotland from August 2016; and

2.    note that the Argyll and Bute Education Service will review and further develop its approach to inspection and review, in consultation with Head Teachers, in line with the revised framework from Education Scotland.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 8 September 2016, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Following approval by the Community Services Committee in June 2015 a comprehensive review of the delivery of support for pupils with additional support needs was implemented by Education Services.  Consideration was given to a report updating Members of progress with this review.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:-

1.    note the areas of progress in developing the ASN provision in Argyll and Bute as outlined in section 5 of the report;

2.    note the areas of continued development as outlined in section 6 of the report; and

3.    request that a further progress report be brought to a future Community Services Committee for consideration.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report updating the Committee on the development of a Digital Learning Strategy for Scotland was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:-

1.    note that Argyll and Bute Education Services will continue to utilise learning technologies in a range of ways to deliver the curriculum across all the council’s educational establishments;

2.    note the outcomes from the consultation document which will inform the final National Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy for Scotland to be published in September 2016;

3.    note that Argyll and Bute Education Service are undertaking a full review, along with partners, of the current strategy to produce A Digital Learning Strategy for Argyll and Bute in line with the National Strategy and which will be published in January 2017; and

4.    request that Education bring the digital learning strategy to a future meeting of the Community Services Committee.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated September 2016, submitted)

Councillor Robert E Macintyre returned to the meeting at this point.

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Consideration was given to the revised draft Parental Involvement Strategy developed in consultation with Head Teachers and Parent Councils.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:

1.    endorse the revised draft Parental Involvement Strategy;

2.    note the continued commitment of the Education Service to enhance and further develop opportunities for parental involvement in all the council’s schools; and

3.    the publication of this revised draft Parental Involvement Strategy.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 4 August 2016 and draft Parental Involvement Strategy dated June 2016, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report advising the Committee of the current situation of Skipness Primary School was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed that:-

1.    Skipness Primary School discontinue as a school on a temporary basis and that the building be retained for two years on a care and maintenance basis;

2.    if there are no registered pupils by the commencement of session 2018/19, the school be considered for formal closure through the statutory process; and

3.    the community will have prearranged access to the building to promote community functions.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 8 September 2016, submitted)

Alison Palmer left the meeting at this point.

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report summarising the proposals for the revised Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), in line with statutory requirements and the latest guidance was considered.  The report also highlighted progress with the previous SHIP and the outputs achieved over the last five years.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:-

1.    note the positive progress with the SHIP 2011-2016;

2.    approve the proposals summarised in the report; and

3.    recommend to Council that the proposals summarised in the report form the basis of the submission to the Scottish Government in November 2016.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 8 September 2016, submitted)

Councillor James McQueen left the meeting at this point.

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report updating Members on the empty homes issue and outlining the activity which assists owners to bring empty homes back into use was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the content of the report.

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 8 September 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report updating Members on the remit of the Community Services Committee following the inception of the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership and the Integration Joint Board (IJB).

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the revised remit of the Community Services Committee.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 1 August 2016, submitted)

Consideration was given to the work plan to facilitate forward planning of reports to the Community Services Committee.

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the content of the work plan.

(Reference: Community Services Work Plan dated September 2016, submitted)