Agendas, reports and minutes

23. Internal Audit Reports
      Aithisgean In-sgrùdaidh

There had been circulated Report No ECAS/40/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provided an overview of the following Internal Audit reports, relating wholly or in part to the Care and Learning Service:-

• School meals income collection and monitoring system
• School transport
• Inspection of equipment in schools
• Payment to nursery providers
• Records storage at the Highland Archive Centre

It was explained that the reports had been considered by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 19 June 2014 and, in accordance with the Local Code of Corporate Governance, they then had to be reported to the relevant Strategic Committee.  Detailed information was provided on progress with the agreed management actions and the Audit Report Summaries and Action Plans were appended to the report for information.

Having emphasised the need for covering reports to highlight the key issues arising from Internal Audits, the Committee otherwise NOTED the management actions taken to address the issues identified in the Internal Audit reports and, in relation to school transport, AGREED that:-

i.  the policy be updated to provide clarity in relation to details of the points system used when allocating
    concessionary places where there were more concessionary pupils than places available on a bus;
ii. the policy be updated to include the requirement to promptly inform relevant school parties when school
    transport changes occured following approval of a new contract; and
iii. the current school transport arrangements for Gaelic Medium pupils be reviewed and a further report with
    recommendations be brought back to Committee following consultation with the appropriate stakeholders.

24. Complaints Review Committee Outcome – 19 May 2014
       Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan – 19 An Cèitean 2014

There had been circulated joint Report No ECAS/41/14 dated August 2014 by the Depute Chief Executive and the Director of Care and Learning which set out the findings and recommendations following a Complaints Review Committee held on 19 May 2014.  The report also provided an overview of the complaints process and highlighted the requirement for decisions of the Complaints Review Committee to be reported to the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee.

It was explained that there was a three stage process whereby complainants could request that their complaint be reviewed by the Complaints Review Committee should they be unhappy with the outcome of the formal response to their complaint at stage two of the process.  The Committee was an independent panel consisting of two lay members and a lay Chairperson.

The Committee NOTED that:-

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

25. Complaints Review Committee Outcome – 28 May 2014
       Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan – 28 An Cèitean 2014

There had been circulated joint Report No ECAS/42/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development and the Director of Care and Learning which set out the findings and recommendations following a Complaints Review Committee held on 28 May 2014. The report also provided Members with an overview of the complaints process and highlighted the requirement for decisions of the Complaints Review Committee to be reported to the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee.

It was explained that there was a three stage process whereby complainants could request that their complaint be reviewed by the Complaints Review Committee should they be unhappy with the outcome of the formal response to their complaint at stage two of the process.  The Committee was an independent panel consisting of two lay members and a lay Chairperson.

The Committee NOTED:-

i.  that the Complaints Review Committee had met to consider the case, and the findings;
ii.  the recommendations made by the Complaints Review Committee; and
iii. that, following this outcome, a presentation of the complaints process was made to Children’s Services
    Managers and online guidance was circulated and cascaded to relevant managers.

26. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

The Committee NOTED, and APPROVED where necessary, the following Minutes of Meetings:-

i. Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 6 February 2014
ii. Highland Child Protection Committee – 29 April 2014
iii. Highland Culture Strategic Board – 26 May 2014
iv. Criminal Justice Sub-Committee – 5 June 2014
v. Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff – 13 June 2014

Valedictory

As this was the last meeting prior to his retirement, Members expressed their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Mr Ron MacKenzie, Head of Resources.  He had been exceedingly helpful to both Members and colleagues and his experience would be missed.

Mr MacKenzie replied in suitable terms.

The meeting concluded at 1.10 pm.