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 Thursday 25 August 2016 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.

Please note that a briefing by NHS Highland on Care at Home, open to all Members, will take place from 1.30 pm – 2.00 pm.

In addition, a Seminar on the Management of Schools Programme will take place immediately following the Committee.

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. Presentation: Eden Court
    Taisbeanadh: Cùirt Eden

Eden Court’s Chief Executive, Colin Marr, will provide an update on the activity of the organisation, including the contribution that Highland Council funding makes to supporting that work.

4. Outstanding Achievements
    Coileanaidhean Air Leth

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

5. Revenue Budget – Final Outturn 2015/16 and Monitoring 2016/17
    Buidseat Teachd-a-steach – Toradh Deireannach 2015/16 agus Sgrùdadh 2016/17

There is circulated Report No ECAS/49/16 dated 15 August 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the Care and Learning revenue budget position to the end of June 2016, confirmation of the final outturn for 2015/16 and an update on other budget related matters.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the final outturn for the 2015/16 financial year;
ii. agree the forecast outturn for the 2016/17 financial year;
iii. agree the Red/Amber/Green (RAG) status of budget savings; and
iv. note that a signed commercial agreement has been reached in relation to PPP2 which provides the Council with a financial saving and reduces risk and uncertainty.

6. Capital Expenditure – Final Outturn 2015/16 and Monitoring 2016/17
    Caiteachas Calpa – Toradh Deireannach 2015/16 agus Sgrùdadh 2016/17

There is circulated Report No ECAS/50/16 dated 18 August 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which advises on the final monitoring position for the Care and Learning capital programme in 2015/16 and the position for the 2016/17 programme as at 30 June 2016.  The report also outlines the current status of the major projects that are underway and future capital investment priorities as well as providing an update on the review of Inverness schools and the current position on Alness and Invergordon schools.  Finally, it incorporates a petition received in relation to the Upper Achintore multi-use games area in Fort William.

The Committee is invited to…

i. note the final monitoring position for 2015/16, the overall level of investment during that period and the major outcomes achieved as set out in paragraph 1.1;
ii. note the monitoring position for 2016/17 as at the end of June 2016 as set out in paragraph 1.2;
iii. note the position with regard to the review of the Council’s overall capital programme as set out in paragraph 2.1;
iv. note the updates provided in relation to major projects, and the issues and actions in relation to Inverness Royal Academy and Wick Community Campus at set out in section 3;
v. homologate the decision to award the contract for the refurbishment of the Grantown Swimming Pool as set out in paragraph 3.5;
vi. note the current position with regard to identifying future investment priorities and allocating funding from generic budget headings as set out in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2.
vii. note the outcome of the projects carried out in schools over the summer holiday period as set out in paragraph 4.3;
viii. agree that funding be allocated from the Life Cycle Investment budget heading for a synthetic playing field at Acharacle Primary School as set out in paragraph 4.4;
ix. note the position with regard to potential roll pressures in primary schools and agree that design work commence where necessary prior to formal approval at the next meeting of the Committee as set out in paragraph 4.5;
x. agree that funding be allocated from the Life Cycle Investment budget heading for the replacement of the synthetic surfaces at Gairloch High School and Ullapool High School as set out in paragraph 4.6;
xi. agree that funding be allocated from the Children’s Services budget heading for the installation of sprinkler systems in three properties as set out in paragraph 4.7;
xii. agree that funding be allocated from the Adult Services budget heading for the installation of a sprinkler system in one property as set out in paragraph 4.8;
xiii. note the current position and identified actions in relation to the review of Inverness schools and agree that funding be allocated from the SSER Inverness Schools budget heading for the new annexe at Cauldeen Primary School as set out in section 5;
xiv. note progress in relation to the Alness Academy replacement and the planned collaborative approach with Moray and Aberdeen-shire Councils as set out in section 6;
xv. agree to establish a specific project line for Alness Academy from within the SSER Future Projects funding line with the required budget to be reported to the next meeting of the Committee as set out in paragraph 6.10;
xvi. consider the petition received in relation to the Upper Achintore multi-use games area, agree the proposed short-term works to bring the pitch back into use and note the steps proposed for consideration for long-term uses of the site as set out in section 7;
xvii. note the current position on the school statutory consultations that are currently underway as set out in section 8;
xviii. agree the changes to the structure of the Care and Learning Estates team as set out in section 9.

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

There is circulated Report No ECAS/51/16 dated 15 August 2016 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.

8. Children’s Services – Assurance Report
    Seirbheisean Chloinne – Aithisg Bharantais

There is circulated Report No ECAS/52/16 dated 27 July 2016 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 informed by the Highland Health and Social Care Committee and discussion with the Child Health Commissioner.

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the issues raised in the report, the comments to be incorporated into a report to NHS Highland as part of the revised governance arrangements.

9. Audit Scotland Report: Health and Social Care Integration
    Aithisg Amalachaidh Sgrùdadh Alba

There is circulated Report No ECAS/53/16 dated 15 August 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which summarises the findings of a recent Audit Scotland report on progress in the integration of health and social care.

The Committee is invited to note the Audit Scotland report.

10. Care and Learning Service Plan 2015-2019 Update
      Plana Ath-sgrùdaichte Seirbheis a’ Chùraim agus an Ionnsachaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/54/16 dated 15 August 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which explains that the Service Plan 2015-2019 for the Care and Learning Service updates on enabling actions and key performance indicators, including as part of the Council programme, ‘Highland First’.  The report seeks approval of the updated plan.

The Committee is invited to agree the draft Service Plan update 2015-2019.

11. Statutory Consultation – Strontian Primary School
      Ath-sgrùdadh air Oighreachd Sheasmhach Sgoile – Bun-Sgoil Sròn an t-Sìthein

There is circulated Report No ECAS/55/16 dated 15 August 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which, following conclusion of the Statutory Consultation process, sets out a recommendation to re-locate the existing Strontian Primary School to a new build to be developed by the community, on land close to Ardnamurchan High School.

The full proposal and associated appendices are circulated separately as Booklet A.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend to the Council the re-location of Strontian Primary School to a new build on land close to Ardnamurchan High School, with the re-location dependent on the community proposal to own, fund and develop the facility as outlined within the report.

12. Statutory Consultation – Closure of Dalwhinnie Primary School
      Bun-Sgoil Dhail Chuinnidh – Toradh na Co-chomhairle Reachdail

There is circulated Report No ECAS/56/16 dated 15 August 2016 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 Dalwhinnie Primary School, re-assigning its catchment area to that of Newtonmore Primary School.

The final proposal and associated appendices are circulated separately as Booklets B(i) and B(ii).

The Committee is invited to consider the proposal set out within the Consultation Report and associated appendices and, having given consideration to any further representations received, agree to recommend to the Council that it discontinue education provision at Dalwhinnie Primary School, reassigning its catchment area to that of Newtonmore Primary School.

13. Care and Learning Health and Safety Policy
      Poileasaidh Slàinte is Sàbhailteachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/57/16 dated 8 August 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which advises the Committee of the annual review of the Service Health and Safety Policy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the review of the Service Policy; and
ii. approve the amendments highlighted in the report.

14. Care and Learning Health and Safety Annual Report
      Aithisg Bhliadhnail Slàinte is Sàbhailteachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/58/16 dated 1 August 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which advises the Committee of the Service’s performance during 2015/16 in respect of the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and outlines the priorities for the forthcoming year.

The Committee is invited to note the content of the report.

15. Internal Audit Reports
      Aithisgean In-Sgrùdaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/59/16 dated 15 August 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an overview and update in relation to four reports recently considered by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee:-

• Ben Wyvis Primary School (update on audit actions and lessons learned)
• Self Directed Support
• Inspection of Equipment in Schools (follow up)
• Managing School Rolls

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 Outcome
      Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan

There is circulated Report No ECAS/60/16 dated 9 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive and the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the findings and recommendations following a Complaints Review Committee held in May 2016.  The report also provides an overview of the complaints process and highlights the requirement for decisions of the Complaints Review Committee to be reported to the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee.

The Committee is invited to note that:-

i. the Complaints Review Committee met to consider the case, and the findings; and
ii. no recommendations were made by the Complaints Review Committee.

17. Membership of Sub-Committees
      Ballrachd Fho-chomataidhean

The Committee is invited to agree the following:-

Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Ms J Slater to replace Ms G Ross
Mr G MacKenzie to replace Mr D Fallows as Substitute

18. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

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

i. Highland Child Protection Committee – 9 February 2016 (for noting);
ii. Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 16 February 2016 (for noting);
iii. Community Justice Partnership – 2 June 2016 (for noting);
iv. Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers (draft for noting); and
v. Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 30 June 2016 (for approval).