Agenda and minutes

The Chair intimated that Councillor Douglas Philand who was not a member of the Community Services Committee, had notified her that he wished, in terms of Standing Order 22.1, to speak and vote on item 5 of the Agenda.  The Chair exercised her discretion to allow Councillor Philand to speak but not vote on item 5.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rory Colville, Jim Lynch, Barbara Morgan and Julie McKenzie and from William Stewart Shaw, Church Representative.

There were no declarations of interest.

Community Services Committee 23 August 2018

The Minute of the Community Services Committee meeting held on 23 August 2018 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

At the Community Services Committee on 23 August 2018 Officers were requested to continue their evaluation of a Feasibility Study into a new Gaelic Medium Primary School in Oban.  This exercise was completed and has led to consideration of a number of different options to deliver Gaelic Medium Education in the Oban area.  A report presenting these options was before the Committee for consideration.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    considered the evaluation of the options for delivering Gaelic Medium Education in the Oban area;

2.    agreed that Option B is the recommended option based on an evaluation of impact, deliverability, affordability and risk and further agreed that in the event there was a material change in circumstances Officers would give further consideration to the other options that have been identified in the report; and

3.    requested that the Executive Director of Customer Services contacts Comann nam Pàrant an Òbain declining the request to undertake a formal consultation process to establish a Gaelic Medium School in Oban at this time.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 1 November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report providing details of the options appraisals for Ardchattan and Ashfield Primary Schools in satisfaction of the Preliminary Requirements of Section 12A of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 as amended was considered.  Copies of representations received in respect of Ashfield Primary School were also circulated to the Committee.

The Committee heard from Councillor Philand who spoke on behalf of those who had expressed concerns in their submitted representations in respect of Ashfield Primary School.

Decision

The Committee agreed:

1.    to note the outcome of consideration of the preliminary requirements; and

2.    that Officers now formulate a draft proposal and bring this back to the next meeting of the Committee for approval by Members which would subsequently trigger the formal consultation process under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 15 November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

At the meeting of the Community Services Committee on 11 September 2014 it was agreed to approve a process by which future requests to alter the catchment area of a school be considered, as detailed in Section 4.3 – 4.10 of the report presented at that time.  A report which reconsiders this policy in light of recent developments and with regard to the provisions of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 was before the Committee for consideration.

Decision

The Committee agreed to recommend to Council:

1.    to discontinue the policy adopted on 11 September 2014 in relation to dealing with requests to alter the catchment area of a school;

2.    to note that the relevant Area Committee would be given the opportunity to comment as part of a consultation exercise; and

3.    to return to the previous process, similar to that for other proposals under the 2010 Act, whereby requests to alter the catchment area of a school are brought before the Community Services Committee for a decision to be made on whether that request is adopted as a ‘relevant proposal’ to be progressed to a public consultation under the 2010 Act.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 2 November 2018, submitted)

Report by Chief Officer Health and Social Care Partnership

Notification of the Argyll and Bute Joint Inspection of Children’s Services was received on 20 June 2018.  The Care Inspectorate and its partner agencies are inspecting the services for children, young people and families that are delivered across Argyll and Bute by the Community Planning Partnership.  Argyll and Bute is the first partnership in Scotland to be inspected to the revised quality improvement framework published in August 2018.  The inspection report will be published in March 2019 and will set out what works well and what could improve.  The Community Planning Partnership will be expected to take action on any recommendations the inspectors make for improvements.  A report providing the Committee with a note of the preparation and activity that has taken place across Argyll and Bute in support of the Joint Inspection of Children’s Services was before the Committee for consideration.

Decision

The Committee agreed:

1.    to note the preparation and activity that had taken place across Argyll and Bute in support of the Joint Inspection of Children’s Services and to thank all involved with this process; and

2.    to request a detailed report on the inspection findings and associated improvement plan be brought to the June 2019 meeting of the Community Services Committee.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 1 November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report providing an overview of key performance data and outcomes for all pupils across each of the ten secondary schools for session 2017-2018 incorporating both SQA and Insight data from an authority perspective was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:

1.    note the outcome of the initial SQA examination results for pupils in academic year 2017-2018 complemented by 3-year trend data;

2.    note the further detailed statistical analysis included from Insight in September 2018 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, Head Teachers, the two Heads of Service, and Education Staff in relation to the SQA examination outcomes as detailed at section 4 of this report;

4.    note the strategic programme of performance review between schools and education development and improvement staff as detailed at section 7 of this report;

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

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

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 30 November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report providing the Committee with an update on the most recent Annual Participation Measure published in September 2018 was considered.   The Annual Participation Measure reports on the economic and employment activity

of the wider 16-19 year old cohort, including those at school.  The measure is used to inform policy, planning and service delivery and to determine the impact of the Opportunities for All commitment.

Decision

The Committee agreed:

1.    to note the publication of the 2018 Annual Participation Measure and that Annual Participation Measure has replaced School Leaver Destination Reports as a source of the national indicator, “increase the proportion of young people in learning, training or work”; and

2.    that Opportunities for All and Developing Young Workforce programmes had contributed positively to Argyll and Bute 2018 participation measures being above both the Scottish average and comparator authorities.

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

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 requires local authorities and their partners to “secure adequate and efficient provision” of Community Learning and Development (CLD) services in their area.  In 2013, the Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations were introduced.  They placed a duty on local authorities, in partnership with Community Planning Partnerships and other CLD providers and communities, to secure the delivery of CLD through the implementation of a three year CLD Plan.  In response to these regulations the Argyll and Bute CLD Strategic Partnership was established to develop and implement the first Argyll and Bute CLD Plan in September 2015.  The same Partnership has now produced a refreshed Argyll and Bute CLD Plan for 2018-2021 and this was before the Committee for consideration.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    noted the legal requirement to produce an Argyll and Bute CLD Plan for 2018-2021;

2.    reviewed the contents of the draft Argyll and Bute CLD Plan 2018-2021, produced by the Argyll and Bute CLD Strategic Partnership; and

3.    agreed the approach and contents of the draft Argyll and Bute CLD Plan 2018-2021 and agreed to a programme of annual progress updates for the lifespan of the Argyll and Bute CLD Plan 2018-2021.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services and Draft CLD Plan 2018-2021, submitted)

Presentation by Principal Educational Psychologist

The Principal Educational Psychologist provided information on PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies), which is an evidenced based curricular approach to enhancing Social Emotional Learning for 3 – 12 year olds, and responded to a number of questions from the Committee.

Decision

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

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A guidance document, Our Children, Their Mental Health, had been developed to ensure that the Education Service in conjunction with partners, effectively addresses the mental health and wellbeing needs of all our children and young people.  A report presenting this document was before the Committee for consideration.

Decision

The Committee agreed:

1.    the content and purpose of Our Children, Their Mental Health; and

2.    that the document is circulated and promoted with all staff within Education Services, and relevant partners, to improve outcomes for children and young people.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 11 December 2018 and Our Children, Their Mental Health document dated November 2018, submitted)

Presentation by Head of Education: Learning and Teaching

The Head of Education: Learning and Teaching gave an overview of the process and the types of school inspection process and the types of inspections undertaken by Education Scotland.  Details were also provided regarding the level of  support provided to Head Teachers by Officers in their preparations for an inspection.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the presentation.

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report providing details of all external education establishment inspection reports received across Argyll and Bute Education Service during the period January to September 2018 was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    considered the contents of the report and appendices attached;

2.    agreed that a quarterly report be presented on an ongoing basis to the Community Services Committee detailing all establishment inspections conducted by Education Scotland within that period; and

3.    noted that Ward Members would receive copies of school inspection reports for schools within their area as published by Education Scotland.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 7 November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report advising the Committee of the outcome of the further inspection of the Education Functions of Argyll and Bute Council published on 26 November 2018 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.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    noted the further inspection of the Education Functions of Argyll and Bute Council which took place on 2 October 2018;

2.    considered the inspection report published by Education Scotland on 26 November 2018;

3.    welcomed the progress made by the Education Service and the wider Council in responding to the main points for action; and

4.    noted that improvements made have resulted in HM Inspectors making no further visits to Argyll and Bute in connection with the original inspection of September 2016.

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

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report presenting the Draft Education Service Plan 2019-2022 for the 2019/20 budget allocation was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    approved the Draft Education Service Plan 2019-22 for the 2019/20 budget allocation; and

2.    noted that the budget allocation would be proposed at the Policy and Resources Committee on 14 February 2019 for final approval at Council on 21 February 2019.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services and Draft Education Service Plan 2019-22 for the 2019/20, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report presenting the Draft Housing Service Plan 2019-2022 for the 2019/20 budget allocation was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    approved the Draft Housing Service Plan 2019-22 for the 2019/20 budget allocation; and

2.    noted that the budget allocation would be proposed at the Policy and Resources Committee on 14 February 2019 for final approval at Council on 21 February 2019.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services and Draft Housing Service Plan 2019-22 for the 2019/20, submitted)

Councillor Alan Reid left the meeting at this point.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report reviewing the use of the Strategic Housing Fund in line with Council and Scottish Government priorities was considered.

Decision

The Committee recommended that the Council agree to:

1.    continue to use the Strategic Housing Fund to assist with the delivery of affordable housing in Argyll and Bute at £12,000 per unit.  This would apply to affordable housing units delivered by March 2021;

2.    use the Strategic Housing Fund to honour existing commitments within the fund eg existing awards to Registered Social Landlords;

3.    extend the £12,000 per unit to community organisations who satisfy requisite funding criteria and secure Rural Housing Fund and/or Islands Housing Fund Grant from the Scottish Government to deliver affordable housing;

4.    an Empty/Abandoned Buildings enabling budget of £50,000 per annum to tackle the most problematic empty buildings; and

5.    carry out a further review of the Strategic Housing Fund which will take into account the Scottish Government vision of Housing Beyond 2021.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report summarising the Scottish Government’s discussion paper: Housing Beyond 2021, and the arrangements proposed for preparing a joint response by the Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing Forum and the Council was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    considered the contents of the report which summarised the proposed Council response to the Scottish Government Housing Beyond 2021 consultation; and

2.    approved the Housing Services’ outline proposed as the Council response to the Scottish Government.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report advising the Committee on progress with the arrangements for the demolition of the former Witchburn Road Office buildings and the marketing that had taken place to date was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    noted the current progress with the arrangements for the demolition and that to comply with the requirements of the bat license that the contract for the demolition works needs to be awarded by 21 December 2018 to allow demolition works to be completed by 31 March 2019;

2.    noted that an “All Enquiries” sales board have been displayed on the former Contact Centre building that fronts Witchburn Road and more targeted publicity was proposed to generate interest in the site;

3.    agreed that a layout for housing plots and associated infrastructure would be tendered by Property Development and Estates using capital remaining from the Strategic Housing Fund allocation if possible; and

4.    agreed that a further update be brought back to the June 2019 Committee.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 5 November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report presenting the Education Service Performance Scorecard for FQ2 2018-19 (July – September) was considered.

Decision

The Committee reviewed and noted the Education Performance for FQ2.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 5 November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report presenting the Housing Services performance report with associated scorecard for performance in FQ2 2018-19 (July – September) was considered.

Decision

The Committee reviewed and noted the scorecard as presented.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services, submitted)

The Chair referred to correspondence received from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS) inviting the Committee to comment on their new Scrutiny Plan for 2019-20 which will examine the effectiveness and efficiency of both Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.  She advised that she would be seeking a view on this from the Committee following consideration of the report by Police Scotland.

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

Superintendent Brian Gibson introduced Chief Inspector Douglas Wilson to the Committee and then presented a report by Police Scotland which provided the FQ2 – 2018/19 update in relation to the Argyll and Bute Local Policing Plan for 2017-2020.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    reviewed and noted the contents of the report; and

2.    made no comment on the HMICS scrutiny plan.

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

Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

A report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) FQ2 review of local performance within Argyll and Bute for 2018-19 was before the Committee for consideration.

The Local Senior Officer, Paul Devlin, provided an update on recent activities and presented the contents of the report 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: Q2 2018/19 Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted)

Report by Head of Strategic Planning & Performance, Argyll and Bute HSCP

A report highlighting the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Performance Reporting Framework for Exception Reporting Arrangements was before the Committee for consideration.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    considered and noted the contents of the Health and Social Care Partnership performance report in line with the current national reporting requirements; and

2.    noted the on-going review of the performance indicators.

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning & Performance, HSCP, submitted)

Report by Head of Education: Lifelong Learning & Support

A report advising of the further development of the Northern Alliance Regional Improvement Plan (Phase 2) was before the Committee for information.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    noted the progress of the Northern Alliance Regional Improvement Plan (Phase 2); and

2.    noted a grant of up to £1,086,067 had been allocated to the Northern Alliance to enhance the Regional Improvement Collaborative’s activities and capacity building.

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

The Community Services Committee work plan 2018/19 was before the Committee for information.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the work plan.

(Reference: Community Services Committee Work Plan 2018/19, submitted)

Proposed by: Councillor Kieron Green

Seconded by: Councillor Yvonne McNeilly

This Committee:

a)    Welcomes the signing of Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-Free Generation by the Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board.

b)    Noted that further details of the Charter can be found at https://www.ashscotland.org.uk/what-you-can-do/scotlands-charter-for-a-tobacco-free-generation/

c)    Agrees that Argyll and Bute Council sign the Charter.

d)    Endorses the principles that:

1.    Every baby should be born free from the harmful effects of tobacco;

2.    Children have a particular need for a smoke-free environment;

3.    All children should play, learn and socialise in places that are free from tobacco;

4.    Every child has the right to effective education that equips them to make informed positive choices on tobacco and health;

5.    All young people should be protected from commercial interests which profit from recruiting new smokers; and

6.    Any young person who smokes should be offered accessible support to help them to become tobacco-free.

e)    In support of the Charter agrees to:

1.    Acknowledge the harmful effect smoking has on the health of our population.

2.    Be personal advocates for a tobacco-free generation.

3.      Encourage our educational establishments to further discourage young people from becoming new smokers and ensure that accessible support is available for smokers becoming tobacco-free.

The following Notice of Motion was before the Committee for consideration:-

This Committee:

a)    Welcomes the signing of Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-Free Generation by the Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board.

b)    Noted that further details of the Charter can be found at https://www.ashscotland.org.uk/what-you-can-do/scotlands-charter-for-a-tobacco-free-generation/

c)    Agrees that Argyll and Bute Council sign the Charter.

d)    Endorses the principles that:

1.    Every baby should be born free from the harmful effects of tobacco;

2.    Children have a particular need for a smoke-free environment;

3.    All children should play, learn and socialise in places that are free from tobacco;

4.    Every child has the right to effective education that equips them to make informed positive choices on tobacco and health;

5.    All young people should be protected from commercial interests which profit from recruiting new smokers; and

6.    Any young person who smokes should be offered accessible support to help them to become tobacco-free.

e)    In support of the Charter agrees to:

1.    Acknowledge the harmful effect smoking has on the health of our population.

2.    Be personal advocates for a tobacco-free generation.

3.    Encourage our educational establishments to further discourage young people from becoming new smokers and ensure that accessible support is available for smokers becoming tobacco-free.

Moved by Councillor Kieron Green, seconded by Councillor Yvonne McNeilly.

Decision

The Committee unanimously agreed the terms of the Motion and that this be forwarded to the Council for ratification.

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 item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report summarising the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan 2019-2024 for Argyll and Bute was considered.

Decision

The Committee recommended that the Council agree the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services, submitted)