Agenda and minutes

The Chair intimated that as this was the last Committee meeting before the recess this offered elected Members the opportunity to show their appreciation for the hard work and loyalty of those teachers that will soon be retiring from the Council.  It was agreed to formally mark their retirement at item 4 of this Minute.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mary-Jean Devon and Julie McKenzie.

There were no declarations of interest.

Community Services Committee 14 March 2019

The Minute of the Community Services Committee meeting held on 14 March 2019 was approved as a correct record.

To mark their retirement and as a token of appreciation for all their years’ service Quaichs were presented to the following teachers:

Dunoon Grammar School

Lesley Clark

Jane McKillop (known as Sheena)

Joseph Glancy

Richard Biggart

Fraser Shaw

Oban High School

Elsa MacIver

Morag MacKinnon

It was noted that a further two teachers, Graham Davidson (Tobermory High School) and Moira Johnstone (Garelochhead Primary School), who were unable to attend today, would also be presented with Quaichs.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked all the teachers for their time and service put into their teaching careers and wished them well for a long, happy and healthy retirement.

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed, to vary the order of business and consider the Argyll and Bute Local Policing Plan 2017-2020 – Quarterly Report Q4 2018/19 and the Presentation on CAM (Contact Assessment Model) at this point to allow Officers from Police Scotland to leave early to attend other meetings.

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

Chief Superintendent Hazel Hendren referred to the publication of a recent report by the Scottish Police Federation following the inspection of a number of Police Scotland properties across Argyll and Bute and advised of the immediate measures put in place to address health and safety concerns for the workforce and the local community.  She also advised that this would be her last meeting as she was moving on to Greater Glasgow and took the opportunity of thanking everyone for the support she has had since she first came to the Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division.  She then responded to a number of questions asked.

Superintendent Brian Gibson referred to a report which provided the FQ4 – 2018/19 update in relation to the Argyll and Bute Local Policing Plan for 2017-2020 and also gave an overview of custodial and front counter remodelling which was planned to be in place by November 2019 for the Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division.  He then responded to a number of questions asked.

Decision

The Committee reviewed and noted the contents of the report.

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

Presentation by Superintendent Alan Wright, Police Scotland

Superintendent Alan Wright gave a presentation on CAM (Contact Assessment Model).  He explained the concept of moving away from default call grading responses for 999 and 101 calls to ‘THRIVE’ assessment as it had been recognised that there was a requirement to better assess risk and vulnerability at first point of contact.  He advised that the new system went live yesterday and was currently being trialled in Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway.  He explained that the model in Lanarkshire was different from the model in Dumfries and Galloway as both divisions had unique needs. He explained that following a review of this trial the National Model would be implemented locally dependent on the needs of each individual division and that the Police Management Team would engage with key local stakeholders.

Decision

1.    The Committee thanked Superintendent Wright for his presentation and noted the responses to a number of questions asked.

2.      The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked Chief Superintendent Hendren for her input to Argyll and Bute and wished her well for her move to Greater Glasgow.

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report setting out the findings of an interim review of Regional Improvement Collaboratives (RICs) was considered.  The overall aim of this review was to explore how RIC establishment had been taken forward in each region.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:

1.    note that the main finding from the report indicated that the work of the RICs required to be further developed particularly in relation to school engagement making an impact at school and classroom level;

2.    endorse the continued involvement of Argyll and Bute Education Service within the Northern Alliance; and

3.    approve the involvement of the service in taking forward the joint work within the Northern Alliance Regional Improvement Plan to ensure this impacts in all schools.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated June 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report providing members of the Community Services Committee with information regarding steps being taken within the Education Service to ensure Looked After Children get the most out of their educational opportunities and how the Council can develop best practice as a corporate parent was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed:

1.    to endorse the work undertaken by the Argyll and Bute Education Service as part of the Corporate Parenting Group to improve life chances of Care Experienced Children and Young People;

2.    that the attainment funding for Care Experienced Children and Young People will support the continued input from the Principal Teacher (PT) for Looked After Children role; and

3.    to request that the Head of Education: Lifelong Learning and Support provides updates on the improved outcomes for Care Experienced Children and Young People to the Corporate Parenting Board and Community Services Committee.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated June 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A consultation on School Holiday dates was carried out during 2018 which aimed to set the in-service days for teachers and the holiday dates for pupils across the Authority for 2020-2023.  The proposed dates, contained within Appendices 1 and 2 to this report, were before the Committee for consideration. 

Decision

The Committee agreed:

1.    the school holiday dates for 2020-2023 contained within Appendix 1; and

2.    the additional in-service dates for 2019-20 contained within Appendix 2.

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

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

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

Decision

The Committee agreed to:

1.    note the progress of implementation to date;

2.    endorse the positive steps taken by the Early Years Team in partnership with colleagues from other services in implementing the Argyll and Bute ELC Delivery Plan;

3.    note the contents of the Argyll and Bute updated ELC Delivery Plan; and

4.    request that the Executive Director – Customer Services bring forward further progress updates in relation to the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare to the June 2020 Community Services Committee.

(Reference: Report Executive Director – Customer Services and Argyll and Bute 1140 Hours Delivery Plan 2019-2020 Update, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report providing a progress update on the implementation of review findings about the process for managing the Additional Support Needs (ASN) provision within the Education Service was considered.

Decision

The Committee considered the progress made in securing service improvement through a more robust needs assessment process and more stringent financial framework.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 25 April 2019, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

Fѐisean nan Gàidheal is a third sector organisation which supports the development of traditional music, Gaelic singing and Gaelic drama.  A report seeking approval of funding support for Fѐisean nan Gàidheal’s work in Argyll and Bute in 2019/20 was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed a Service Level Agreement of £20,000 in 2019/20 to fund the work of Fѐisean nan Gàidheal as detailed at paragraph 4.1 of the report.

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 13 May 2019, submitted)

Report by Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Partnership

The report of the Joint Inspection of Services for Children and Young People in Need of Care and Protection in Argyll and Bute was published by the Care Inspectorate on 26 March 2019 and was before the Committee for consideration.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:

1.    note the findings of the inspection report into the Joint Inspection of Services for Children and Young People in Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership area; and

2.    endorse the Improvement Action Plan which was prepared and shared with the Care Inspectorate to address the key areas identified by inspectors.

(Reference: Joint report by Chief Officer – Health and Social Care Partnership and Executive Director – Customer Services dated 3 June 2019 and Joint Improvement Action Plan 2019-2021, submitted)

Councillors Iain Paterson and Anne Horn left the meeting at this point.

Report by Chief Officer Health and Social Care Partnership

Consideration was given to the Review of the Progress of Integration Self Evaluation report prepared and submitted by the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to the Cabinet Secretary on 15 May 2019.  Argyll and Bute Council, NHS Highland, Argyll and Bute HSCP and HSCP Officers were invited to review and comment on the document prior to its formal submission.

Decision

The Committee considered and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer – HSCP dated 15 May 2019, and Review of the Progress of Integration Self Evaluation report dated March 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A paper presenting Education’s performance report and associated scorecard for FQ4 2018-19 (January – March 2019) was considered.

Decision

The Committee reviewed and noted the performance report and scorecard as presented.

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

Councillor Elaine Robertson left during consideration of the foregoing item.

William Stewart Shaw left the meeting at this point.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A paper presenting Housing Service’s performance report and associated scorecard for FQ4 2018-19 (January – March 2019) was considered.

Decision

The Committee reviewed and noted the performance report and scorecard as presented and, acknowledging that this would be Bill Halliday’s last meeting before retiring, thanked him for his long service to the Council.

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

William Hamilton and Alison Palmer left the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item.

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 considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the HSCP performance report for Financial Quarters 2 and 3 in line with the current national reporting requirement.

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

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Scottish Police Authority invited Councils, specifically their local Scrutiny Committees, to response to the Annual Review of Policing for 2018-2019.  The deadline for responses to the consultation was 31 May 2019.  A report presenting the Officer response, which was prepared in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of this Committee and submitted by the deadline, was before the Committee for consideration and approval.

Decision

The Committee approved the Officer response, as detailed at Appendix 2 to this report, as the Council’s formal response to the Scottish Police Authority Annual Review of Policing for 2018-2019.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 31 May 2019, submitted)

Presentation by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Albert Bruce, Group Manager, gave a presentation on the consultation being carried out on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Strategic Plan for 2012-22.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the presentation and that the closing date for responses was 18 July 2019.

Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

A report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ4 review of local performance within Argyll and Bute for 2018-19 was considered.

Decision

The Committee reviewed and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Q4 2018/19 Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted)

Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Consideration was given to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) Annual Operating Plan for 2019-20.  The Plan details the priorities set against Argyll and Bute’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan following the changes introduced through the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.

Decision

The Committee noted the report and responses to questions asked.

(Reference: SFRC Annual Operation Plan for 2019.20, submitted)

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 April – June 2019 was before the Committee for information.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated May 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report providing an update on the progress towards the disposal of property assets at Witchburn Road, Campbeltown was before the Committee for information.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 23 May 2019, submitted)

The Community Services Committee work plan for 2019/20 was before the Committee for information.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the work plan.

(Reference: Community Services Committee Work Plan 2019/20, submitted)