Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chambers, Kilmory, Lochgilphead. View directions

Contact: Fiona McCallum Tel: 01546 604392 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor Julie McKenzie and William Stewart Shaw.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

3.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Community Services Committee 8 December 2016

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Community Services Committee held on 8 December 2016 were approved as a correct record.

4.

PRESENTATION ON CAMPBELTOWN NEW SCHOOL BUILD

Presentation by School

Minutes:

A presentation was heard by the Committee from pupils from Campbeltown Grammar School on the research work they had undertaken which informed their decision on the style of their new school uniform which will be introduced in August 2017 ahead of the new school opening in February 2018.

 

Decision

 

The Committee thanked the pupils for their hard work and informative presentation

 

(Reference: Presentation by Campbeltown Grammar School)

5.

PRESENTATION ON OBAN NEW SCHOOL BUILD

Presentation by School

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a Vlog (video blog) created and developed by pupils which presented to the Committee detail on work undertaken to build Oban New School.  

 

Discussion focused on how well both schools have managed to maintain a teaching standard and pupils have managed to study for exams despite the potential of disturbance and distraction from the building works.

 

Decision

 

The Committee thanked the school for the informative presentation.

 

(Reference: Presentation on Oban New School dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

At this point Councillor Mary-Jean Devon joined the meeting.

At this point Councillor Rory Colville and Councillor Neil MacIntyre left the meeting.

At this point Councillor Anne Horn and Councillor Elaine Robertson left and took no further part in the meeting.

6.

SPORT AND LEISURE FRAMEWORK pdf icon PDF 23 KB

Presentation by Active Schools Manager and Health and Fitness Manager and Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report updating Members on the progress of delivering the Sport and Leisure Framework 2015-2019 for Argyll and Bute. The framework replaced the previous Sport and Physical Activity Strategy and acts as the overarching plan across a wide range of services.

 

In addition to the report the Committee heard a  presentation from the Active Schools Manager and the Health and Fitness Manager which focussed on delivering a strategic framework for school, club and community sport; lifelong health and wellbeing; facilities and communication and engagement.

 

Decision

 

The Committee:

 

1)    noted the progress on delivering the aims of the Sport and Leisure Framework;

 

2)    noted that a strategic health and physical activity forum is crucially important and that this is effectively managed and resourced.  This will ensure that all opportunities to help people live active, healthy lives are well planned and delivered through partnership working; and

 

3)    agreed that the priority goals and outcomes of the Framework support the outcome of the Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) and that a monitoring and reporting process is maintained to ensure that performance monitoring is accurate, current and widely shared with Community Planning and other relevant partners.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

7.

DRAFT SERVICE PLANS 2017-20 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

Minutes:

A report was considered by the Committee which presented the Draft Service Plans 2017-2020 which support the delivery of the Corporate Plan.

 

Decision

 

The Community Services Committee noted the Draft Service Plans for 2017-2020.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

At this point Councillor Rory Colville re-joined the meeting.

At this point Councillor John McAlpine left the meeting.

8.

PERFORMANCE REPORT FQ3 2016/2017 pdf icon PDF 284 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

A report which presented the Community Service Performance Scorecards for FQ3 was reviewed by Members.

 

Decision

 

The Committee noted departmental performance for the quarter.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

9.

OUR CHILDREN, THEIR FUTURE: EDUCATION VISION AND STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 42 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

A report was considered by the Committee advising Members that the Education Vision and Strategy document ‘Our Children, Their Future’, was officially launched by Education Services on 16 January 2017. The vision and strategy document is the blueprint for the Service to effectively respond to the changing National and Local policy contexts and, in doing so, ensures the future delivery of an Education Service which supports our children, young people and communities to achieve the best possible outcomes.

 

Decision

 

The Committee;

 

1)    noted the official launch of the Education Vision and Strategy document which is now the main driver for delivery of the Education Service in Argyll and Bute;

 

2)    noted that all new and future policy and procedures within the Education Service will be based on the vision and strategy within Our Children, Their Future;

 

3)    noted the future engagement timeline in regard to Our Children, Their Future; and

 

4)    noted all improvement and reporting will relate to the six key objectives.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

At this point Councillor Neil Macintyre re-joined the meeting.

10.

SCOTTISH ATTAINMENT CHALLENGE: PUPIL EQUITY FUNDING pdf icon PDF 50 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

A report was considered by the Committee informing Members on the intention of the Scottish Government, as part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge, to disperse the £120 million Pupil Equity Funding to a number of schools within Argyll and Bute for the specific purpose of raising attainment and closing the gap.  Discussion focussed on the specific grant requirements associated with the funding.

 

The Acting Executive Director of Community Services informed the Committee that Appendix 1 as referenced in paragraph 1.7 is available as a hyperlink as detailed at the end of the report.

 

Decision

 

The Committee;

 

1)    noted  the Scottish Government’s Pupil Equity Funding announcement;

 

2)    noted the provision of strategic guidance at Scottish Government and Authority levels to support the implementation of the Pupil Equity Funding; and

 

3)    requested that the Executive Director of Community Services bring a progress update on the implementation programme by schools to a future meeting of the Community Services Committee.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

 

11.

NATIONAL IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR SCOTTISH EDUCATION pdf icon PDF 44 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

Consideration was given by the Committee to a report which provided an update on the Scottish Government’s 2017 National Improvement Framework and Improvement Plan for Scottish Education and the actions undertaken by Education Service during the course of 2016 to secure educational improvement for all children and young people within Argyll and Bute.  The report also provided an overview of the Primary and Secondary achievement in Literacy and Numeracy for P1, P4, P7, S3 in Argyll and Bute published in Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels 2015/16.

 

Decision

 

The Committee;

 

1)    noted the actions that Education Service planned and implemented in 2016 to secure educational improvement for all children and young people within Argyll and Bute;

 

2)    noted the overview of the Primary and Secondary achievement in Literacy and Numeracy for P1, P4, P7, S3 in Argyll and Bute; and

 

3)    noted the actions to be undertaken by Education Service in response to the 2017 revised National Improvement Framework and Improvement Plan for Scottish Education.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

At this point Councillor Aileen Morton left the meeting.

12.

SUPPORTING THE EDUCATION OF LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report advising Members of the actions taken by Education Services to ensure that all looked after children in Argyll and Bute education establishments reach their fullest educational potential.  The report considered a number of additional actions to improve the educational support for looked after children.

 

Decision

 

The Committee;

 

1)    noted the content of the report and the actions already taken to ensure that the support needs of looked after children are assessed and addressed in an effective and timely manner; and

 

2)    noted the additional actions to support schools to meet the educational needs of looked after children.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

At this point Councillor Aileen Morton re-joined the meeting.

At this point Councillor McAlpine re-joined the meeting.

13.

GAELIC EDUCATION AND GAELIC SPECIFIC GRANT FUNDING pdf icon PDF 97 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report detailing the main actions undertaken within Gaelic Education in Argyll and Bute since August 2016 focussing on the rationale behind each project and initiative.  Members were also presented with a compressive overview of the Gaelic Specific Grant application for 2017/18 with reference to allocations made in previous years.

 

Decision

 

The Committee;

 

1)    noted commitment of Gaelic professionals in providing a robust, rigorous and relevant education to young people in Gaelic Education as detailed in ‘Our Children, Their Future’, the Education Vision and Strategy;

 

2)    noted the grant application and the commitment to delivery of the conditions of grant;

 

3)    noted the developments being undertaken within Gaelic Education in Argyll and Bute;

 

4)    noted the new legislation; Education (Scotland) Act 2016 and the raised expectations of Councils to promote Gaelic Medium Education and the benefits of bi-lingualism;

 

5)    noted the challenges around staffing and the potential necessity to provide enhancements / relocation packages to attract key professionals to live and work in Argyll and Bute, and

 

6)    noted that teaching posts which have been grant funded for 5 years will now become part of the mainline staffing.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

14.

THE EXPANSION OF FUNDED EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE TO 1140 HOURS pdf icon PDF 47 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

A report providing an update to the Community Services Committee on plans to implement 1140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) in Argyll and Bute per year by 2020 as required within the new Scottish Government National Policy Imperatives was considered by the Committee. The Committee noted that in order to ensure successful and sustainable implementation, several key elements will be required to be considered both at a national level and at a local level as detailed within the report.

 

Decision

 

The Committee;

 

1)    noted the significant capital and revenue funding which will be required in order to ensure Argyll and Bute Council is able to fully implement 1140 hours of ELC by 2020;

 

2)    noted that Partner Providers play a key role in the expansion of ELC in Argyll and Bute, therefore support and investment will be required to ensure their continued partnership in providing ELC across each of the localities;

 

3)    noted that the expansion of the Early Years Workforce will be a significant challenge within Argyll and Bute, therefore will require continued investment and partnership working both within the Council and with wider partners to ensure a high quality workforce is in place by 2020; and

 

4)    requested the Executive Director of Community Services bring a progress update on the implementation of 1140 hours of Early Learning and Childcare to a future meeting of the Committee.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

15.

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - LOAN APPLICATION: FYNE HOMES - COURTHOUSE, ROTHESAY pdf icon PDF 33 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

The Committee considered an application for an extension to an existing loan from Fyne Homes, subsidiary Fyne Initiatives for bridging finance for the Old Courthouse Development.

 

Decision

 

The Committee approved an extension to the loan of £561,319 to Fyne Initiatives, on the same terms and conditions, for a further three years to 31 March 2021, in respect of the development at the Old Court House, Rothesay.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

16.

HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMMES FOR SCOTLAND: AREA BASED SCHEME (HEEPS: ABS) pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report detailing that in 2013, the Scottish Government developed the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Scheme (HEEPS: ABS) to assist households across Scotland to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. The intention was to reduce levels of fuel poverty and greenhouse gas emissions to achieve the Scottish Governments targets for climate change and alleviation of fuel poverty – as far as reasonably practicable – by 2016. Argyll and Bute’s estimated fuel poverty rate is 40%. 

 

Decision

 

The Committee;

 

1)    noted that the Council has been allocated £1,666,978.00 for HEEPS programme delivery in 2017/18 and that the Scottish Government has agreed, in principle, to the distribution of HEEPS funding across the Argyll and Bute area; and

 

2)    noted increased weighting will be given to those areas with the highest levels of deprivation and fuel poverty.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

17.

COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE WORK PLAN 2016/2017 pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the draft Community Services worklpan to facilitate forward planning of reports.

18.

VALEDICTORY

Minutes:

The Chair gave his thanks to all Committee Members for their discussions and contributions over the past few years and to all employees involved in the Community Services Committee.