Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 14 January 2015 at 10.05 am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Michelle Morris
Depute Chief Executive/
Director of Corporate Development

Business

1. Apologies for Absence
    Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
    Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Membership of Sub-Committees
    Ballrachd Fho-chomataidhean

The Committee is invited to agree the following:-

• Criminal Justice Sub-Committee – Ms K Stephen to replace Mr D Millar as Substitute
• Culture and Leisure Contracts Scrutiny Sub-Committee – Dr D Alston to replace Mr J Stone

4. Revenue Budget 2014/15 - Monitoring
    Buidseat Teachd-a-steach 2014/15 – Sgrùdadh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/01/15 dated 24 December 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides the Care and Learning budget monitoring for the period to 30 November 2014 and the forecast year-end position.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the monitoring statement; and
ii. note the areas of budget pressures and mitigating actions to date.

5. Capital Expenditure 2014/15 - Monitoring
    Caiteachas Calpa 2014/15 – Sgrùdadh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/02/15 dated 20 December 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which advises on progress with the Care and Learning capital programme and the monitoring forecast for the period to end November 2014 and provides an update of various other matters.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the position as at the end of November 2014 for the 2014/15 capital programme as outlined in Paragraph
    2.1 and detailed in Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.  the status of major capital projects as per Appendix 2 of the report;
iii.  that details of the projects to be funded from the £5,000,000 allocation from the Scottish Government to
     support the introduction of free school meals for Primary 1 to 3 pupils will be brought to the next meeting of
     this Committee, as detailed in Paragraph 2.3 of the report;
iv.  that details of the likely future investment priorities for the school estate will be brought to the next
     meeting of this Committee, as detailed in Paragraph 2.4 of the report;
v.  the progress to date with the exercise to evaluate the implications of the roll pressures facing a number of
     primary schools in Inverness over the next few years, as detailed in Paragraph 2.5 of the report;
vi.  the contractual progress with the Wick campus project and final cost position, as detailed in Paragraph 2.6
     of the report; and
vii. the current position with regard to the properties on the Care and Learning residential estate, as detailed
     in Paragraph 3.1 of the report.

6. Change and Improvement Plan Update
    Fios as Ùr mu Phlana Atharrachaidh agus Leasachaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/03/15 dated 24 December 2014 by the Director of Adult Care, NHS Highland on behalf of Deborah Jones, Chief Operating Officer, NHS Highland which updates Members on progress of the Change and Improvement Plan within the context of the emerging legislation and the impact on the Highland Partnership.

The Committee is invited to note the progress in developing the Adult Services Change and Improvement Plan in the context of the emerging legislation.

7. Integrated Care Fund
    Maoin Cùraim Amalaichte

There is circulated Report No ECAS/04/15 dated 24 December 2014 by the Director of Adult Care, NHS Highland on behalf of Deborah Jones, Chief Operating Officer, NHS Highland which informs Members that the Scottish Government has announced the release of integrated care funds along with specific guidance for Partnerships.  NHS Highland, as lead agency for adult care, outlines this guidance in the report that has been submitted to the Health and Social Care Committee and sets out the significant role of the Adult Services Commissioning Group and Improvement Groups.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the allocation of the Integrated Care Fund; and
ii. the role of the Adult Services Commissioning Group and the Improvement Groups in taking forward
    implementation plans.

8. Sustainable School Estate Review – North Skye
    Ath-sgrùdadh air Oighreachd Sgoile Seasmhach – An t-Eilean Sgitheanach a Tuath

Following conclusion of the statutory consultation process, there is circulated Report No ECAS/05/15 dated 16 December 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out a recommendation to improve the accommodation provision in North Skye through the establishment of a new amalgamated community Primary School on a new site in the village of Dunvegan, replacing the existing Dunvegan, Struan, Knockbreck and Edinbane Primary Schools.  The appendices to the report are circulated separately as Booklets A, B and C.

The Committee is invited to consider the proposal set out in Booklets A, B and C and, having given consideration to further representations received, agree to recommend to the Council that it:-

i.  discontinue education provision at the existing Dunvegan, Struan, Knockbreck and Edinbane Primary
    Schools;
ii. establish a new amalgamated community Primary School for North West Skye on a new site in the village of
    Dunvegan; and
iii. combine the existing school catchments of Dunvegan, Struan, Knockbreck and Edinbane Schools to form the
    catchment of the new amalgamated Primary School.

9. Facilities Management Update
    Fios as Ùr mu Rianachd Ghoireasan

There is circulated Report No ECAS/06/15 dated 16 December 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the proposed terms of reference for a review of the Facilities Management model.

The Committee is invited to consider the report and agree the terms of reference for the review of the Facilities Management Model.

10. Children’s Services
       Seirbheisean Chloinne

i. Performance Report
   Aithisg Choileanaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/07/15 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the performance framework for Children’s Services.

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the performance information.

ii. Assurance Report – Lead Agency Delivery of Children’s Services
    Aithisg Bharantais – Lìbhrigeadh Sheirbheisean Chloinne leis a’ Bhuidhinn Stiùiridh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/08/15 dated 23 December 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning, the purpose of which is to provide assurance to NHS Highland in relation to services commissioned and delivered through Highland Council.  It will be presented to the Highland Health and Social Care Committee.  Each assurance report will focus on different elements of the commissioned service, as well as containing the core elements of performance management, exception reports and finance.  The specific areas to be reported are agreed between the Child Health Commissioner and the Head of Health.

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the issues raised in the report.

11. Social Work Stage 2 Complaints Exception Report
      Aithisg Eisgeachd Ghearanan Ìre 2 Obair Shòisealta

There is circulated Report No ECAS/09/15 dated 16 December 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides context and analysis of delays to responding to stage 2 complaints received by the Care and Learning Service and responded to under the Social Work Complaints Directions. Members are asked to note the complexity of complaints received this year and actions proposed to give greater priority to their resolution.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the position regarding performance in relation to social work and social care complaints received by the
    Care and Learning Service;
ii.  note the measures taken to date to deal with the position; and
iii. approve the proposed solutions with a view to improving performance.

12. Mental Health Officer Service
       Seirbheis Oifigear Slàinte Inntinn

There is circulated Report No ECAS/10/15 dated 24 December 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the performance, development and impact of the Mental Health Officer Service within the Council and also introduces a presentation.

The Committee is invited to note the development of the Mental Health Officer Service in the Council since integration of services with NHS Highland.

13. Community Learning and Development
       Ionnsachadh agus Leasachadh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/11/15 dated 24 December 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which informs Members about statutory responsibilities in relation to Community Learning and Development and the strategic planning structure being developed by the Community Planning Partnership, involving District Partnerships.

The Committee is invited to comment on the developing local response to the statutory responsibilities in relation to Community Learning and Development, including the strategic planning structure being developed by the Community Planning Partnership, involving District Partnerships.

14. Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce
       A’ Leasachadh Luchd-obrach Òg na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No ECAS/12/15 dated 5 January 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out for Members the key messages of the “Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce” report and the direction of travel for the authority to ensure its successful implementation in Highland.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the key aspects of the report; and
ii. agree the proposed direction of travel the authority will take for implementing the Developing Scotland’s
    Young Workforce report.

15. Internal Audit Reports
       Aithisgean In-Sgrùdaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/13/15 dated 18 December 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an overview and update in relation to two internal audit reports relating to Inspection of Equipment in Schools and School Off-site Excursions.

The Committee is invited to consider the report and note progress in relation to the agreed management action arising from the internal audit reports.

16. Complaints Review Committee Outcomes
       Toraidhean Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan

There are circulated joint Reports No ECAS/14/15, No ECAS/15/15 and No ECAS/16/15 dated 24 December 2014 and 5 January 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development and the Director of Care and Learning which set out the findings and recommendations following Complaints Review Committees held on 7 October 2014, 30 October 2014 and 5 November 2015 respectively.

The Committee is invited to note that the Complaints Review Committee met to consider these cases, and the findings and recommendations.

17. Appointments to Complaints Review Committee
      Cur an Dreuchd gu Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan

The Committee is invited to agree the appointment of the following independent panel members to the Complaints Review Committee to May 2019:-

• Beryl Seaman (Chairman)
• Uisdean Maclennan

18. Minutes
       Geàrr-chunntas

The following Minutes are circulated for noting or approval as appropriate:-

i.   Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 13 May 2014;
ii.   Annual General Meeting of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff – 7 November 2014;
iii.  Ordinary Meeting of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff – 7 November 2014;
iv.  Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 21 November 2014;
v.   Special Meeting of Duncraig Trust Scheme Sub-Committee – 26 November 2014;
vi.  Culture and Leisure Contracts Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 27 November 2014; and
vii. Criminal Justice Sub-Committee – 10 December 2014.