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 11 November 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. Outstanding Achievements
    Coileanaidhean Air Leth

Members will be informed about outstanding achievements by people and groups, to be noted and commended by the Committee.

4. Care and Learning Revenue Budget Monitoring 2015/16
    Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach a’ Chùraim agus an Ionnsachaidh 2015/16

There is circulated Report No ECAS/92/15 dated 29 October 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update in relation to the revenue budget for Care and Learning and the monitoring position for the current year to 30 September 2015.  The report also provides an update in relation to budget savings.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree the forecast outturn based upon the year to 30 September 2015; and
ii. note the status of the agreed budget savings and the mitigating action being taken to address the forecast
    shortfall.

5. Care and Learning Capital Programme – Monitoring Report
    Prògram Calpa a’ Chùraim agus an Ionnsachaidh – Aithisg Sgrùdaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/93/15 dated 2 November 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the Care and Learning capital programme and sets out the monitoring position for the current financial year to the end of September 2015.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  approve the capital monitoring position to the end of September 2015 as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 of the
    report;
ii. note the current status of major projects as outlined in Appendix 1;
iii. approve the allocation of £250,000 from the Life Cycle Investment budget heading for additional works at the Caol
    Joint Campus project as outlined in paragraph 3.3 of the report; and
iv. agree that design work should start as soon as possible on the proposed projects to provide additional
    accommodation at Cauldeen and Smithton Primary Schools as outlined in paragraph 3.4 of the report.

6. Children’s Services – Performance Report
    Seirbheisean Chloinne – Aithisg Choileanaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/94/15 dated 30 October 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the performance framework for Children’s Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. consider and comment on the performance information; and
ii. note the additional performance measures.

7. Children’s Services – Assurance Report
    Seirbheisean Chloinne – Aithisg Barantais

There is circulated Report No ECAS/95/15 dated 2 November 2015 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.  The content of each assurance report is agreed in advance with the Child Health Commissioner.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. consider and comment on the issues raised in the report; and
ii. note that the format of the report remains under review.

8. Presentation: Progress and Future Development Review of the Broad General Education in S1-S3
    Taisbeanadh: Adhartas agus Ath-sgrùdadh air Leasachadh san Àm ri Teachd airson Foghlam      
    Coitcheann Farsaing ann an ÀS1-ÀS3

There is circulated Report No ECAS/96/15 dated 3 November 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the current implementation status and future development priorities of the Broad General Education in secondary schools and supports a presentation to the Committee.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the progress made by schools and the direction of travel for future development.

9. Curriculum Delivery in the Senior School
    Lìbhrigeadh Curraicealaim san Àrd-sgoil Àird

There is circulated Report No ECAS/97/15 dated 3 November 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update regarding the Highland Council approach to subject choice for pupils in S4 and the direction of travel on other structural issues which will enhance the provision for young people in the senior school.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  approve the strategic approach that has been taken to the development of the curriculum in the senior school; and
ii. note and comment on other practical steps that will offer schools greater opportunity to provide flexibility and
    options in the senior school.

10. Expansion of Flexible Delivery of Early Learning and Childcare for 2016/17
      Leudachadh Lìbhrigeadh Sùbailte Thràth-ionnsachaidh agus Chùraim-chloinne airson 2016/17

There is circulated Report No ECAS/98/15 dated 15 October 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which outlines proposals for further development and flexible delivery of Early Learning and Childcare from August 2016 and is the first in a series of papers to be presented to Committee as part of the process of establishing new management structures for schools in Highland.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree the proposals relating to the staged expansion of flexibility of early learning and childcare across Highland
    from August 2016; and
ii. approve the creation of the post of Childcare Manager in the largest Primary Schools.

11. Transition Planning for Young People
      Dealbhadh Eadar-ghluasaid do Dhaoine Òga

There is circulated Report No ECAS/99/15 dated 29 October 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out a summary of the current action plan relating to Transition planning and highlights areas of progress.

The Committee is invited to note the progress made on transition planning and comment on the action plan.

12. Review of the Provision of Education at Inverasdale Primary School
      Ath-sgrùdadh air Solar Foghlaim aig Bun-Sgoil Inbhir Àsdail

There is circulated Report No ECAS/100/15 dated 29 October 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which, following conclusion of the statutory consultation process, sets out a recommendation to discontinue the provision of education at Inverasdale Primary School and re-assign its catchment area to that of Poolewe Primary School.

The proposal document and appendices are circulated separately as Booklet A.

The Committee is invited to consider the proposal and, having given consideration to any further representations received, agree to recommend to the Council that it discontinue education provision at Inverasdale Primary School and re-assign its catchment area to that of Poolewe Primary School.

13. Janitorial Services
      Seirbheisean Dorsair

There is circulated Report No ECAS/101/15 dated 2 November 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which outlines principles for the introduction of a new Janitorial Service to replace both the current Facilities Management Service and school- managed Janitors.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  agree the principles for the future of Janitorial Services as outlined in the report;
ii. note that the decision on resources will be as part of the budget setting process in February 2016; and
iii. note that implementation of Janitorial Services will only take place once the budget decision has been made and
    following local discussions with Elected Members, Head Teachers and Janitorial Services staff.

14. Bullying Prevention Update
      Cunntas às Ùr mu Chasg Bhurraidheachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/102/15 dated 3 November 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which explains that, in November 2014, the Committee agreed to the introduction of the Positive Relationships and Bullying Prevention Policy, Guidance and Toolkit to all Highland schools and that the Council sign up to participate in the Stonewall Education Champions Programme.  The report provides information on implementation work undertaken during the first year.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the progress made in implementing the Positive Relationships and Bullying Prevention Policy, Guidance and
    Toolkit; and
ii. agree that a progress report by submitted to the Committee in November 2016.

15. High Life Highland Progress Report
      Aithisg Adhartais High Life na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/103/15 dated 2 November 2015 by the Chief Executive, High Life Highland, which presents information on the performance of High Life Highland during the operating period April to October 2015 and an evaluation of the “You Time” programme of commissioned learning and leisure opportunities for older people, delivered as part of the Council’s commitment to a preventative approach.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note that High Life Highland has met or exceeded the outcomes expected in the Service Delivery Contract with the
    Council for the period April 2014 to March 2015;
ii. note the outcomes delivered by High Life Highland through the “You Time” programme;
iii. note that the “You Time” programme is embedded in the Partnership Prevention Plan within the Highland Single
    Outcome Agreement 2013/14 – 2018/19;
iv. note the addition by High Life Highland at no extra cost of three new “You Time” locations from December 2015:
    Inverness, Wick and Kingussie; and
v. agree that the Council work in partnership with High Life Highland to ensure that other organisations continue to
    be offered training and marketing support to deliver their local plans.

16. Employee Survey Action Plan
      Plana-gnìomh Suirbhidh Luchd-obrach

There is circulated Report No ECAS/104/15 dated 3 November 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which summarises the key findings from the 2015 Employee Survey and outlines proposals for addressing areas of further improvement for the Care and Learning Service.

The Committee is invited to note the results of the survey for the Care and Learning Service and the timescale for the development of the Service Improvement Action Plan.

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

There are circulated joint Reports Nos ECAS/105/15 and ECAS/106/15 dated 30 October 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive and the Director of Care and Learning which set out the findings and recommendations following Complaints Review Committees held on 2 and 16 September 2015.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. that the Complaints Review Committee met to consider these cases, and the findings; and
ii. the recommendations made by the Complaints Review Committee.

18. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

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

i. Criminal Justice Sub-Committee – 8 September 2015;
ii. Highland Strategic Commissioning Group – 28 September 2015; and
iii. FHC4 Leadership Group – 21 October 2015.