Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mary-Jean Devon, Anne Horn and Andrew Vennard.

There were no declarations of interest.

a)    The Minute of the Community Services Committee held on 9 March 2017 was approved as a correct record.

 

b)    The Minute of the Special Community Services Committee held on 6 April 2017 was approved as a correct record.

 

c)      The Minute of the Special Community Services Committee held on 15 August 2017 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council’s Planning and Improvement Framework (PIF) sets out the process for presentation of the council’s Service Annual Performance Reviews (APRs).  A report presenting the Community Services Committee with the Service APRs from Education and Community and Culture for 2016-17 was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to endorse the Service APRs as presented.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 28 August 2017, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report presenting the Community Service Performance Scorecards for FQ1 2017/18 was before Members for consideration.

 

Decision

 

The Committee reviewed and noted the departmental performance for the quarter.

 

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

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Consideration was given to a report advising the Committee of the further planned inspection of the Education functions of Argyll and Bute Council and confirming the submission of the self-evaluation profile which outlines the progress made by the Authority in addressing the main points for action contained within the initial inspection report of 21 March 2017.

 

Decision

 

The Committee:-

 

1.    noted the further inspection of the Education Functions of Argyll and Bute Council scheduled to commence on 26 September 2017;

 

2.    noted the timetable associated with the inspection;

 

3.    agreed the summary self-evaluation being prepared by Education Services in conjunction with Head Teacher representatives, as required by Education Scotland, outlining progress in addressing the main points for action; and

 

4.    requested that the Acting Executive Director of Community Services bring a report confirming the outcome of the inspection to a future meeting of the Committee.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 28 August 2017, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report and presentation providing an update to Members on the initial outcome of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) 2017 examination diet and outlining the results for pupils entered for formal examinations in 2017 was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

1.    note the outcome of the initial SQA examination results for pupils in academic year 2016/17;

 

2.    note that following the release of the examination results Education Service has undertaken a programme of strategic performance review meetings between schools, Head Teachers, the Acting Executive Director, Acting Head of Service and Education Service staff in individual schools in relation to the SQA examination outcomes as detailed at section 4.4 of this report; and

 

3.    request the Acting Executive Director of Community Services to provide a further report to the December Community Services Committee to allow the consideration of further statistical updates, incorporating further national information scheduled for release by Insight in September 2017.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 11 August 2017, submitted)

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed to vary the order of business and consider the report on Scottish National Standardised Assessments next as it had been included within the “reports for noting” section of the agenda in error.

 

It was also agreed to delay consideration of the Digital Learning Strategy Paper until pupils from Dunoon Primary School had arrived to give a presentation.

 

The remainder of the reports on the Agenda were presented in the following order.

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report outlining the actions, undertaken and planned, by Education Services to ensure the effective implementation of the Scottish National Standardised Assessments to support educational improvement for all children and young people within Argyll and Bute was before the Committee for consideration.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

1.    note the requirement for Education Services in taking forward the programme on the Scottish National Standardised Assessment implementation; and

 

2.    endorse the actions that Education Service have undertaken and plan to undertake to prepare for the compliant and effective implementation of the Scottish Government Scottish National Standardised Assessments.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 14 September 2017, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report introducing the new Children and Young People’s Services Plan was considered.  The requirement for Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland to prepare a Plan to cover the period 2017 - 2020 is laid out in Part 3 of the Children and Young (Scotland) Act 2014.  This plan will replace the Integrated Children’s Services Plan 2014 – 2017 and will become the key strategic plan with the aim of delivering the priorities and local outcomes for children and young people articulated in the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP).

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed:-

 

1.    to note that both NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council are jointly and equally responsible for Children’s Services planning;

 

2.    subject to the inclusion of the number of Gaelic Medium Units at Appendix 3 (page 41) of the Plan and also to some minor revisions to the document, to recommend that Argyll and Bute Council approves Argyll and Bute’s Children and Young People’s Services Plan which covers the period 2017 – 2020;

 

3.    once ratified by Council and approved by the Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board, to approve the publishing of the Children and Young People’s Services Plan;

 

4.    once ratified by Council and approved by the Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board, to approve the submission of the Children and Young People’s Services Plan to the Scottish Government; and

 

5.    to note that Argyll and Bute’s Children and Young People’s Strategic Group will oversee the delivery of the outcomes and actions identified in the Plan, with annual performance and progress reports to be presented to future meetings of the Community Services Committee and the Integration Joint Board.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 11 August 2017 and Children and Young People’s Services Plan 2017 - 2020, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Consideration was given to a report providing a copy of the Education Service new Digital Learning Strategy developed in consultation with the Digital Learning Team, staff in schools, Corporate IT and the Education Steering Group.

 

A warm welcome was also extended to three pupils from Dunoon Primary School who had joined the meeting to give a demonstration of version one of their Our Children, Their Future Education Vision and Strategy App which they had designed.

 

Decision

 

The Committee:-

 

1.    noted and approved the new Digital Learning Strategy;

 

2.    noted the continued commitment of the Education Service and Digital Learning Team to enhance and further develop opportunities for digital learning and creativity in all of the council’s establishments; and

 

3.    agreed the publication of this new Digital Learning Strategy.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 14 September 2017 and Digital Learning Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2020, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

All local authorities are required to submit to the Scottish Government by 29 September 2017 an Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Draft Delivery Plan in relation to the expansion of funded ELC to 1140 hours per year by 2020.  A report providing an update on the progress being made by the Service in preparing the Argyll and Bute Delivery Plan was considered. 

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

1.    note the expectations arising from the Blueprint for 2020 for Argyll and Bute Council;

 

2.    note the contents of the Argyll and Bute ELC Draft Delivery Plan;

 

3.    note the key recommendations contained within the Draft Delivery Plan and the requirement by the Scottish Government to submit the Plan to them by 29 September 2017;

 

4.    approve the Argyll and Bute ELC Draft Delivery Plan for submission to the Scottish Government by 29 September 2017, as required;

 

5.    note the currently identified financial risks for Council, as outlined in Sections 2 and 7 of the report, and as detailed within section 6 of the draft delivery plan, associated with the requirement to deliver 1140 hours of ELC per year by 2020.  Full funding from Scottish Government will have to be available to Argyll and Bute Council to enable delivery of the Plan, and

 

6.    request that the Acting Executive Director of Community Services bring forward progress updates to future meetings of the Community Services Committee.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director- Community Services dated 21 August 2017 and Argyll and Bute Draft 1140 Hours Delivery Plan 2017 – 2020, submitted)

Margaret Anderson and Councillor Elaine Robertson left the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item.

William Stewart Shaw left the meeting prior to consideration of the following item.

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report providing information to, and seeking approval of the Community Services Committee for Education Services to submit a response to the Scottish Government Fairer Funding consultation which is due by 13 October 2017 was considered.

 

Motion

 

That the Community Services Committee:-

 

a)    notes the Scottish Government Fair Funding statutory consultation and associated timescales;

 

b)    commends the response prepared by representatives of Education Services, the Education Budget Working Group and Head Teachers’ Advisory Group, which highlights that 90% of funding is already devolved, giving head teachers the flexibility to meet the individual needs of each school;

 

c)    recognises the continuing need for holistic working by schools with services provided by Argyll and Bute Council and other local agencies and partners, including Educational Psychological Services and the Health and Social Care Partnership;

 

d)    expresses concern over the lack of clear information from the Scottish Government over future governance structures for education and, in particular, the uncertainty over how this will maintain local democratic accountability; and

 

e)    instructs Officers to submit the prepared consultation response to the Scottish Government, appending points c) and d) above to the response for Question 8.

 

Moved by Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, seconded by Councillor Kieron Green

 

Amendment

 

That the Community Services Committee agrees the recommendations detailed in the report.

 

Moved by Councillor Richard Trail, seconded by Councillor Julie McKenzie

 

The Motion was carried by 8 votes to 4 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

 

Decision

 

The Committee:-

 

1.    noted the Scottish Government Fair Funding statutory consultation and associated timescales;

 

2.    commended the response prepared by representatives of Education Services, the Education Budget Working Group and Head Teachers’ Advisory Group, which highlights that 90% of funding is already devolved, giving head teachers the flexibility to meet the individual needs of each school;

 

3.    recognised the continuing need for holistic working by schools with services provided by Argyll and Bute Council and other local agencies and partners, including Educational Psychological Services and the Health and Social Care Partnership;

 

4.    expressed concern over the lack of clear information from the Scottish Government over future governance structures for education and, in particular, the uncertainty over how this will maintain local democratic accountability; and

 

5.    instructed Officers to submit the prepared consultation response to the Scottish Government, appending points 3) and 4) above to the response for Question 8.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 28 August 2017, submitted)

Councillor Elaine Robertson returned to the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item.

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

Consideration was given to a report advising that ACHA have been in contact with the Council to advise that they have an unbudgeted upgrade to the fire alarm system within the MacDougall Place Sheltered Housing complex on Mull, as part of Health and Safety regulations, and are seeking approval from the Council that this is funded from the MacDougall Trust Fund.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to approve that the resources required to upgrade the fire alarm system in MacDougall Place Sheltered Housing (estimated to be £2,640) are met from the MacDougall Trust Fund.

 

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated 16 August 2017, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Consideration was given to a report seeking Council approval to submit the revised Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2018/19 – 2022/23 to the Scottish Government in October 2017.  The core purpose of the SHIP is to set out strategic investment priorities for affordable housing over a five year period to achieve the outcomes set out in the Local Housing Strategy.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to recommend that the Council:-

 

1.    approve the SHIP proposals summarised in this report for submission to the Scottish Government in October 2017; and

 

2.    agree to commit to maximising the use of the Strategic Housing Fund to support the SHIP programme.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 21 July 2017, submitted)

Report by Divisional Commander for Argyll and Bute West Dunbartonshire Division, Police Scotland

Reports by Police Scotland which provided the fourth quarter update in relation to the Argyll and Bute Local Policing Plan for 2016/2017 and the first quarter update in relation to the Argyll and Bute Local Policing Plan for 2017/18 were before the Committee for consideration. 

 

Superintendent Hazel Hendren, recently appointed as Local Police Commander for Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division, gave an overview of statistics in respect of priorities going forwarded in 2017/18 - Road Safety and Road Crime; Violence, Disorder and Antisocial Behaviour; Public Protection; Major Crime and Counter Terrorism and Acquisitive Crime.  She also responded to a number of questions from Members of the Committee.

 

Decision

 

The Committee reviewed and noted the contents of the reports and responses to questions asked.

 

(Reference: Reports by Local Police Commander for Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division, Police Scotland dated 20 April and 24 July 2017, submitted)

Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue

Reports which highlighted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS) fourth quarterly review of local performance within Argyll and Bute for 2016-2017 and first quarterly review of local performance within Argyll and Bute for 2017-2018 were before the Committee for consideration. 

 

Jim McNeil, Area Manager, presented the detail of these reports and responded to a number of questions from Members of the Committee.  He then introduced Tom Sinton, Depute Commander who gave an overview of a proposed change to their reporting tool going forward.

 

Decision

 

The Committee reviewed and noted the contents of the reports and responses to questions asked.

 

(Reference: Q4 2016/17 and Q1 2017/18 Reports by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue, submitted)

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

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed the contents of the work plan for 2017/18.

 

(Reference: Community Services Committee Work Plan 2017/18, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report updating Members on current practice and future developments related to Teacher Recruitment and Retention, including the Growing Our Own programme in place for Argyll and Bute was before the Committee for information.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 26 July 2017, submitted)

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

A report reporting on progress within the Our Children, Their Future engagement timeline and to inform of the next steps for the Education Vision and Strategy in improving outcomes for children and young people in Argyll and Bute was before the Committee for information.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 24 July 2017, submitted)

Councillor Elaine Robertson left the meeting at this point.

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public for the following 4 items of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3; 3; 3; and 13 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

 

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

Consideration was given to a report setting out the findings of the Social Work Complaints Review Committee at a meeting held on 20 March 2017.

 

Decision

 

The Committee noted the decision and agreed the recommendations of the Social Work Complaints Review Committee.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 23 August 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

Consideration was given to a report setting out the findings of the Social Work Complaints Review Committee at a meeting held on 21 March 2017.

 

Decision

 

The Committee noted the decision and agreed the recommendations of the Social Work Complaints Review Committee.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 23 August 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

Consideration was given to a report setting out the findings of the Social Work Complaints Review Committee at a meeting held on 12 June 2017.

 

Decision

 

The Committee noted the decision and agreed the recommendations of the Social Work Complaints Review Committee.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 23 August 2017, submitted)

Councillor Elaine Robertson returned to the meeting at this point.

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Consideration was given to a request for the Council to make a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of a property in Rothesay, Isle of Bute.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed the recommendations in the report and agreed to recommend that the Council make the Compulsory Purchase Order.

 

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