Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chambers, Kilmory, Lochgilphead. View directions

Contact: Fiona McCallum Tel: 01546 604392 

Items
Note No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mary-Jean Devon, Audrey Forrest, Graham Archibald Hardie and Barbara Morgan.

 

An apology for absence was also received from Margaret Anderson, Church representative.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

Councillor Richard Trail declared a non-financial interest in item 14 (ACHA Stock Restructuring Proposals) as he has previously represented the Council on the ACHA Board.  As this is no longer the case he advised that he would not leave the meeting during discussion of this item.

The Acting Executive Director – Community Services referred to the decision by the Council to delegate to the Community Services Committee the appointment of two Teacher representatives to the Committee.  She advised that the ballot process has been delayed and she was seeking approval of the Committee to appoint the previous Teacher representatives pro tem and to note that a report would come back to the Committee in March 2018 on the outcome of the ballot.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to appoint Pro Tem Alison Palmer and William Hamilton as Teacher representatives on the Community Services Committee and noted that a further report would come to the Committee in March 2018 on the outcome of the ballot.

3.

MINUTE pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Community Services Committee 14 September 2017

Minutes:

The Minute of the Community Services Committee meeting held on 14 September 2017 was approved as a correct record.

4.

DRAFT GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN PROGRESS REPORT pdf icon PDF 57 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A presentation on the Gaelic language was made by Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s Language Plan Officer, Louise Maclean  Her presentation highlighted the key benefits to business of using Gaelic; the social value of Gaelic; statistical information on the number of Argyll and Bute Gaelic speakers; Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education; and the production of Gaelic Language Plans.  She also responded to a number of questions arising from her presentation.

 

A report updating the Committee on progress with producing the new Argyll and Bute Council Gaelic Language Plan for 2018 – 2022 was also considered.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

1.    note progress being made in producing the new Argyll and Bute Council Gaelic Language Plan 2018 – 2022; and

 

2.    approve the Plan for going forward to public consultation with various different community and stakeholder groups, then returning to Community Services Committee in March 2018, and thereafter to full Council before submission to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for final approval.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated December 2017 and Argyll and Bute Draft Gaelic Language Plan 2018 – 2022, submitted and Economic Measures to be included at Objectives 11 and 13 of the Draft Plan, tabled)

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed to vary the order of business and consider the report by Police Scotland next to allow Chief Superintendent Hendren to leave early to attend other meetings later in the day.

5.

ARGYLL AND BUTE LOCAL POLICING PLAN 2014 - 2017 - QUARTERLY REPORT Q2 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

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

Minutes:

A report by Police Scotland which provided the second quarter update in relation to the Argyll and Bute Local Policing Plan for 2017/18 was before the Committee for consideration.

 

Chief Superintendent Hazel Hendren gave an overview of statistics in respect of priorities going forward in 2017/18 and responded to a number of questions from the Committee.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Local Police Commander for Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division, Police Scotland dated 23 October 2017, submitted)

Councillor Alan Reid joined the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item.

6.

PERFORMANCE REPORT FQ2 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 55 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report presenting the Community Service Performance Scorecards for FQ2 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)

7.

DRAFT SERVICE PLANS 2017-20 FOR 2018-19 BUDGET pdf icon PDF 60 KB

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report presenting the Education Service Draft Service Plan 2017-20 for the 2018-19 budget was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Committee reviewed and endorsed the Education Service Draft Service Plan for onward submission to the Policy and Resources Committee in February for the 2018-19 budget allocation.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 28 November 2017, Business Outcomes and Education Draft Service Plan 2017-20 for 2018-19 budget, submitted)

8.

INSPECTION OF THE EDUCATION FUNCTIONS OF ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL (INEA) pdf icon PDF 157 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report advising the Committee of the outcome of the further inspection of the Education functions of Argyll and Bute Council and confirming progress made by the Authority in addressing the main points for action contained within the initial inspection report of 21 March 2017 was considered.

 

Following an extensive discussion and in answer to a number of questions, the Chair confirmed that she is well aware of the role played by the Central Education Team particularly in relation to the improvements highlighted in the follow up report and will take cognisance of all the information received when going through the budgetary process.

 

Decision

 

The Committee:-

 

1.    Welcomed the publication on 7th December 2017 of the Education Scotland Follow-up Report on Argyll and Bute’s Education Service;

 

2.    Endorsed the positive improvements outlined in the report, including:-

 

o   Sound progress in quality of leadership, relationships and communication

o   Development of a clear vision for education

o   Positive destinations achieved by almost all school leavers

o   Considerable improvement in secondary attainment across a range of key measures

o   Above national average attendance rates and below national average exclusion rates

o   Significant improvement in engagement between schools and central officers

 

3.    Acknowledged the commitment and effort of Education service staff at all levels and in all areas who, working together with pupils, parents and wider school communities, are delivering a vision of ambition, excellence and equality for young people in Argyll and Bute as well as securing significant improvements through the inspection process; and

 

4.    Agreed that further progress reports should come to future meetings of the Community Services Committee

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 7 December 2017 and Education Scotland Further Strategic Inspection of the Education Functions of Local Authorities – Argyll and Bute Council dated December 2017, submitted)

9.

PRELIMINARY CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ARDCHATTAN AND ASHFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOLS pdf icon PDF 74 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

On 24 April 2014 the Council approved the mothballing of Ardchattan Primary School and agreed that if there were no registered pupils by the close of the registration period for session 2016/17 the Council would consult formally on the future of school provision at Ardchattan.  On 10 March 2016 the Community Services Committee approved the mothballing of Ashfield Primary School and agreed that if there were no registered pupils by the commencement of session 2017/18 the school be considered for formal closure through the statutory process.  Neither Ardchattan Primary School nor Ashfield Primary School have had any pupils enrolled at either school since elected Members approved their mothballing.   A report providing the Committee with an overview of the legislation in relation to the proposed closure of a rural school and an indication of the process and timescales to be followed was before the Committee for consideration.

 

Decision

 

The Committee:-

 

1.    noted the background to the proposal to consult on the closure of Ardchattan and Ashfield Primary Schools;

 

2.    noted the legislation in respect of the proposed closure of a rural school; and

 

3.    agreed that the Education Service will undertake the required preliminary consultation for both Ardchattan and Ashfield Primary Schools for Members consideration at the meeting of the Community Services Committee scheduled for 15 March 2018.

 

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

 

10.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS REVIEW UPDATE pdf icon PDF 140 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

A report updating the Committee on the implementation of the review and the impact of the new allocations process on a demand led service was considered.  The report also provided a comparison between the demand for Additional Support Needs (ASN) support in Argyll and Bute and the national picture.

 

Decision

 

The Committee:-

 

1.    considered the continued improvements to the ASN service through the implementation of the ASN review;

 

2.    noted the projected overspend to the ASN service in 2017/18 of £150k as demand for the service continues to increase and ASN support is required to meet these needs; and

 

3.    noted that it is expected that this demand led pressure will continue to 2018/19 and the Council’s budget outlook has been updated to reflect this.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 6 November 2017, submitted)

11.

THE EXPANSION OF FUNDED EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE IN SCOTLAND - ARGYLL AND BUTE EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE DRAFT DELIVERY PLAN, FUNDING AND EARLY YEARS GRADUATE pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report providing an update for Members on progress being made by the Education Service in preparing for the proposed expansion of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and the implementation of 1140 hours of funding ELC in Argyll and Bute per year by 2020 was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

1.    note the contents of the Argyll and Bute ELC Draft Delivery Plan submitted to the Scottish Government on 29 September 2017;

 

2.    note the contents of the Argyll and Bute Financial Template submitted to the Scottish Government on 29 September 2017 and note the potential financial risks for Council if full funding from the Scottish Government is not available to Argyll and Bute Council to enable delivery of the Plan;

 

3.    note the Additional Graduate Plan submitted to the Scottish Government on 29 September 2017 and its dependence on appropriate funding from the Scottish Government for full implementation; and

 

4.    request that the Acting Executive Director, Community Services bring forward progress updates in relation to the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare to future meetings of the Community Services Committee.

 

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

12.

EDUCATION PERFORMANCE DATA ANALYSIS 2017 pdf icon PDF 855 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report providing an overview of key performance data and outcomes for all pupils across each of the ten secondary schools for session 2016-17 incorporating both SQA and Insight data from an authority perspective was considered.

 

Motion

 

To agree the recommendations a – g detailed in report.

 

Moved by Councillor Richard Trail, seconded by Councillor Anne Horn

 

Amendment

 

To agree all the recommendations detailed in the report.

 

Moved by Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, seconded by Councillor Kieron Green

 

The Amendment was carried by 7 votes to 3 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

1.    note the outcome of the initial SQA examination results for pupils in academic year 2016/17 complemented by 3-year trend data;

 

2.    note the further detailed statistical analysis included from Insight in September 2017 that overviews authority data and allows further comparison with national data;

 

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

 

4.    note the strategic programme of performance review between schools and education development and improvement staff as detailed at section 4.7 of this report;

 

5.    continue to support the work of the Education Service in supporting schools to secure continuous improvement in outcomes for Argyll and Bute Learners;

 

6.    request a further report at the June Community Services Committee to consider the national position arising from information released by Insight in February 2018;

 

7.    continue to be involved with current training events on understanding the use of Insight, recognising the increasing use of Insight data in school presentations to elected members; and

 

8.    note that a summary discussion note will be presented to the Policy Lead, as appropriate, ensuring that performance reporting reflects the requirements of the National Improvement Framework.

 

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

13.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY DATES SESSION 2019/2020 pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services

Minutes:

A report presenting the school holiday date pattern for 2019/2020 was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed the school holiday date pattern for session 2019/20 as detailed at Appendix 1 of this report.

 

(Reference: Report by Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 3 November 2017 at School Holiday Dates for 2019-2020, submitted)

 

William Hamilton left the meeting at this point.

14.

DEMOLITION OF WITCHBURN ROAD OFFICES

Additional documents:

Minutes:

As part of the Campbeltown Office Rationalisation project, Council staff moved from the former offices at Witchburn Road to Kintyre House at the end of 2016.  The Valuation Joint Board also used space within the property for storage but they have recently moved from the premises.  A report advising on the planned demolition of the premises and seeking approval that the costs involved with this be met from the Strategic Housing Fund was before the Committee for consideration.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed that the cost of the demolition should be met from the Strategic Housing Fund on the basis that clearance of the site would enable future housing development. This is on the understanding that a report will be brought back to the June 2018 meeting of the Committee outlining options for the development of the site.

 

(Reference: Joint report by Executive Director – Customer Services and Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 30 November 2017, submitted)

*

15.

ACHA STOCK RESTRUCTURING PROPOSALS pdf icon PDF 8 MB

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

Minutes:

A report advising of a proposal put forward by Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) to reduce the housing stock transferred to them by Argyll and Bute Council in 2006 was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Committee agreed to recommend that the Council:-

 

1.    agree ACHA’s proposals to remove 89 units from the affordable rented stock by means of sale or demolition by a formal amendment to the Transfer Agreement;

 

2.    support ACHA’s request to the Scottish Government to exclude any disposals undertaken as part of these proposals from the tripartite Disposal Clawback Agreement;

 

3.    advise ACHA that the proposed demolitions will require to be the subject of separate approvals from the Council as the Planning and Building Control Authority.  ACHA also to be reminded that they will remain responsible for the maintenance of the areas of land detailed in this report; and

 

4.    advise ACHA that any future proposals to dispose of any of the land freed up by the demolitions will be subject to approval from Argyll and Bute Council.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 30 October 2017 and letter from ACHA dated 30 August 2017, submitted)

16.

ARGYLL AND BUTE HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP - NATIONAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OUTCOMES PERFORMANCE REPORTING FRAMEWORK AND EXCEPTION REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report presenting Argyll and Bute Health & Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) performance against National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4 for FQ1 2017/18.  The Head of Strategic Planning & Performance also responded to a number of questions from the Committee.

 

Decision

 

The Committee:-

 

1.    considered the HSCP performance report in line with the current national reporting requirement; and

 

2.    noted the content of the Integration Joint Board performance scorecard for FQ1 2017/18.

 

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning & Performance, HSCP dated 14 December 2017, submitted)

17.

SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE - ARGYLL AND BUTE PERFORMANCE REPORT 1 APRIL - 30 SEPTEMBER 2017 pdf icon PDF 756 KB

Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue

Minutes:

A report which highlighted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) second quarter review of local performance within Argyll and Bute for 2017-2018 was considered.

 

Jim Sinton, Depute Commander presented the detail of this report and he and Stuart MacDonald, Local Liaison Officer, responded to a number of questions from the Committee

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Q2 2017/18 Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue, submitted)

18.

COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE WORK PLAN 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Minutes:

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)