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 1 March 2017 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. Presentation: Lucky2BHere
    Taisbeanadh: Lucky2BHere

Councillor Angus Morrison, from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and a Volunteer Trainer and local Co-ordinator with the Lucky2BHere charity, will lead a presentation on the deployment of defibrillators.

Lucky2BHere was set up in 2009 by Ross Cowie from Portree, following his survival from a sudden cardiac arrest. His life was saved only by the quick response and skills of the crew on a passing ambulance.  The charity works to help reduce response times, particularly in rural areas, and save more lives.

Councillor Morrison, who himself suffered a heart attack in 2014, is well aware of the importance of timeous intervention and has campaigned to get more defibrillators in rural communities.

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
    Buidseat Teachd-a-steach

There is circulated Report No ECAS/13/17 dated 20 February 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the Care and Learning revenue budget position to the end of January 2017.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the forecast outturn for the 2016/17 financial year; and
ii. agree the Red/Amber/Green (RAG) status of budget savings.
 
6. Care and Learning Capital Programme – Monitoring Report
    Prògram Calpa a’ Chùraim agus an Ionnsachaidh – Aithisg Sgrùdaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/14/17 dated 24 February 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning outlining the position of the Care and Learning capital programme as at the end of January 2017 along with the current status of the major projects that are underway.  The report also sets out a review of Care and Learning capital programme priorities for consideration, along with some specific proposals that are recommended for approval.

The Committee is invited to consider the capital monitoring report and:-

i. note progress with the Strontian community project and agree that funding terms are formalised with Strontian Community School Building Limited, the detail of which is delegated to the Head of Resources, and reported back to the Committee as detailed in paragraph 2.3 of the report;
ii. agree the proposed 2017/18 Programme as listed in Appendix 3 of the report;
iii. agree the revised list of capital priorities for the Care and Learning Service as set out in Appendices 4 to 7 and consolidated in Appendix 8 of the report;
iv. agree the actions in relation to the projects at Fortrose Academy, Inverness Primary Schools, Merkinch Primary School and Smithton Primary School as detailed in paragraph 3.6 of the report; and
v. agree that design work should commence on an extension to Ben Wyvis Primary School, to be funded from the Roll Pressures budget allocation as detailed in paragraph 3.7 of the report.

7. Statutory Consultation – Relocation of Dunvegan Primary School
    Co-chomhairle Reachdail Bun-Sgoil Dhùn Bheagain

There is circulated Report No ECAS/15/17 dated 20 February 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which, following conclusion of the statutory consultation process, sets out a recommendation to relocate Dunvegan Primary School to a new site at Lonmore.

The Consultation Report and associated appendices are circulated separately as Booklet A.

The Committee is invited to consider the proposal set out within the Consultation Report and associated appendices and, having given consideration to further representations received, agree to recommend to the Council the relocation of Dunvegan Primary School to a new site at Lonmore.

8. Statutory Consultation – Closure of the Black Isle Education Centre
    Co-chomhairle Reachdail Ionad-Foghlaim an Eilein Duibh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/16/17 dated 20 February 2017 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 the Black Isle Education Centre and replace the service offered at the Centre with new part-time provision for pupils, based at the former Killen Primary School building.

The Consultation Report and associated appendices are circulated separately as Booklet B.

The Committee is invited to consider the proposal set out within the Consultation Report and associated appendices and, having given consideration to further representations received, agree to recommend to the Council that education provision at the Black Isle Education Centre be discontinued and replaced with a service providing specialist support to pupils, based at the former Killen Primary School.

9. Management of Schools Update
    Fios às Ùr mu Rianachd Sgoiltean

There is circulated Report No ECAS/17/17 dated 24 February 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning providing Members with amended proposals for implementation of the Management of Schools programme and a further update on progress. The report also:-

• gives further detail relating to the proposals for the two Associated School Groups (ASGs) of Farr and Mallaig, which were first submitted to the Committee on 26 January 2017, and details the further consultation that has taken place to arrive at the amended proposals now presented;
• sets out the agreement reached with the trade unions in relation to the new post of  Principal Teacher Primary (Cluster/3-18 Grouping);
• provides updates on the Business Support and Early Years workstreams, with particular emphasis on the arrangements for 3-18 ASGs and 3-18 campus arrangements to be implemented in August 2017; and
• includes proposals for the Phase 2 (August 2018) Consultation and Implementation Plan.

The Director will also give a verbal update on the ICT in Learning programme.

The Committee is invited to approve:-

i. the proposal for Farr Associated School Group as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;
ii. that a proposal for Mallaig Associated School Group will be presented to the Committee in June 2017; and
iii. the progress to date and the Phase 2 Consultation and Implementation Plan.

10. Children's Services – Performance Report
      Seirbheisean Chloinne – Aithisg Choileanaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/18/17 dated 20 February 2017 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.

11. Children's Services - Assurance Report
      Seirbheisean Chloinne – Aithisg Bharantais

There is circulated Report No ECAS/19/17 dated 17 February 2017 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 scrutinise the issues raised in this report.  Comments will be incorporated into a report to NHS Highland as part of the revised governance arrangements.

12. Moving On – Life After School: A Report on the Views of Young People with Additional Support Needs on their Experiences of Moving on from School
A’ Gluasad Air Adhart – Beatha Às Dèidh na Sgoile: Aithisg air Beachdan Dhaoine Òga le Feumalachdan Taice a Bharrachd mun Cuid Eòlais Fhèin air a Bhith a’ Gluasad Air Adhart Bhon Sgoil

There is circulated Report No ECAS/20/17 dated 20 February 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which introduces a presentation by the Highland Children’s Forum on their most recent consultation on the views of young people with additional support needs on their experiences of moving on from school.

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

13. Proposal for a Joint Transition Service for Young People
      Moladh airson Co-Sheirbheis Eadar-ghluasaid do Dhaoine Òga

There is circulated Report No ECAS/21/17 dated 17 February 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the development of a joint service to provide support to young people with a disability, aged 14-25 years, who require health and social care support.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the content of the report and to indicate a preferred position on the four options as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

14. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

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

i. Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 10 November 2016 (for noting);
ii. Highland Child Protection Committee – 29 November 2016 (for noting);
iii. Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 3 February 2017 (for approval);
iv. Highland Council/NHS Highland Joint Monitoring Committee – 13 February 2017 (draft for noting).