Adult and Children's Services Committee Minutes

Agenda

Minutes of Meeting of the Adult and Children’s Services Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 21 June 2012 at 2.00 pm

Present:

Highland Council:

Dr D Alston, Mrs I Campbell, Mr A Christie, Mrs M Davidson, Ms J Douglas, Mr B Fernie, Mr B Gormley, Mr K Gowans, Mr M Greene (Substitute), Mr D Hendry, Mr E Hunter, Mrs L MacDonald, Mrs D MacKay, Mr W MacKay, Mr G MacKenzie, Mr T Maclennan, Mrs B McAllister, Ms L Munro, Mr M Rattray, Mrs F Robertson, Ms G Ross, Mr G Ross, Ms J Slater, Ms K Stephen

NHS Highland:

Mr I Gibson, Mrs G McCreath, Dr M Somerville

Religious Representatives:

Ms M McCulloch, Mr G Smith

Non-Members also present:

Mr A Baxter, Mr D Fallows, Mr G Farlow, Mr H Fraser, Mr R Saxon, Dr A Sinclair

In attendance:

Mr H Fraser, Director of Education, Culture and Sport
Mr B Alexander, Director of Health and Social Care
Mr R MacKenzie, Head of Support Services, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Mr C MacSween, Head of Education, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Ms B Dunthorne, Finance Manager, Finance Service
Ms A Gordon, Resource Manager Fostering and Adoption, Health and Social Care Service
Ms M Forsyth, More Choices More Chances Lead, Education, Culture and Sport
Ms S Belford, Quality Improvement Officer, Education, Culture and Sport
Ms J Barton, Quality Improvement Officer (Mid and West Area), Education, Culture and Sport Service
Ms A Brady, Care and Learning Alliance (Third Sector)
Mr C Munro, Highland Children’s Forum (Third Sector)
Miss J Maclennan, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Mrs R Daly, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Miss M Murray, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office

Also in attendance:

Pupils from Deshar, Farr and Kinlochewe Primary Schools (Item 4)
Pupils from Inver Primary (Item 6)

An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council. All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee.

Mr A Christie in the Chair

Business

Preliminaries

Mr G Smith opened the meeting with a prayer.

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mrs M Paterson, Rev C Mayo and Mr S Davidson.

2. Declarations of Interest

The Committee NOTED the following Declarations of Interest:-

Item 5 – Mrs G McCreath (Financial) and Ms J Douglas and Mr K Gowans (Non-Financial)
Item 10 – Mrs G McCreath (Financial)
Item 12(i) – Mr W MacKay (Non-Financial)

3. Appointments to Sub-Committees, Working Groups etc

i. Education Transport Entitlement Review Sub-Committee

The Committee APPROVED the membership of the Education Transport Entitlement Review Sub-Committee as follows:-

Mrs M Paterson
Mr W MacKay
Mrs L MacDonald
Mr A Christie
Mrs B McAllister

ii. Highland Culture Strategic Board

The Committee APPROVED the membership of the Highland Culture Strategic Board as follows:-

Mr B Fernie
Mr D Hendry
Dr D Alston

iii. Highland Culture Fund Assessment Panel

The Committee APPROVED the membership of the Highland Culture Fund Assessment Panel as follows:-

Mr E Hunter
Mrs M Paterson
Mr D Hendry
Mr A Christie
Mrs D Mackay

4. Enterprise Awards

Following an invitation for all Highland Primary Schools to enter an Enterprise Project sponsored by Baillie Gifford Investment Company to celebrate their association with the Council for 20 years, nine schools had been successful in showing that they could provide quality enterprise projects in their school curriculum. The nine successful schools had been grouped into three categories and representatives from the top three schools were in attendance to receive their awards.

In judging the entries, a range of skills were sought and a brief synopsis of the winning projects was provided. Members congratulated all those who had taken part, recognising that their work had covered many areas of the curriculum and inspired young people.

The Committee NOTED the presentation of awards to Deshar, Farr and Kinlochewe Primary Schools for winning their categories in the recent Enterprise Project sponsored by the Baillie Gifford Investment Company.

5. Revenue Budget 2012/13 – Monitoring

Declarations of Interest:

Mrs G McCreath declared a financial interest in this item as a foster parent and advised that if there was any specific discussion in relation to fostering she would leave the room.

Ms J Douglas and Mr K Gowans declared non financial interests in this item as Directors of High Life Highland and advised that if there was any specific discussion in relation to High Life Highland they would leave the room.

i. Education, Culture and Sport

There had been circulated Report No ACS-01-12 dated 13 June 2012 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided the detail of the 2012/13 revenue budget for the Education, Culture and Sport Service and the projected year end position.

The Committee NOTED the 2012/13 revenue budget and projected year end position for the Education, Culture and Sport Service.

ii. Health and Social Care

There had been circulated Report No ACS-02-12 dated 12 June 2012 by the Director of Health and Social Care which provided initial information about the revenue budget for the Health and Social Care Service in 2012/13.

In response to questions, the Director of Health and Social Care explained that, at this stage, the report only provided the high level figures for the Health and Social Care Service revenue budget. £8.8m of former Child Heath monies had been included in the high level figures, of which £1.6m had come from the former ECS budget for the purchase of Speech and Language therapy services which would remain within the Council. A full analysis of the construction of the revenue budget would be presented to the August meeting of the Committee. He confirmed also that future reports would comment in detail on looked-after children placements, particularly as this was one of the significant pressures on the budget which, it was estimated, at the end of last year was worth £1.7m.

In response to a request for a briefing prior to the Committee meeting, the Chairman undertook to ensure that all Groups received the necessary briefing, advice and written information to assist with scrutiny and their contribution to the business of the meeting.

After discussion, the Committee NOTED the revenue budget position for the Health and Social Care Service in 2012/13.

6. Curriculum for Excellence – Primary Steers and Involving Pupils in
their own Learning

There had been circulated Report No ACS-03-12 dated 7 June 2012 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which updated Members on the support being provided to primary schools as they developed provision in line with Curriculum for Excellence.

Ms S Belford, Quality Improvement Officer, together with pupils from Inver Primary School, undertook a presentation on the progress made in implementing the Curriculum for Excellence in Highland Primary Schools. A guidance document, “Curriculum for Excellence in Highland – A Steer for Primary Schools” had been issued in May 2012 to clarify the competing priorities and assist full implementation. The Committee heard a summary of how the guidance document interfaced with and was supported by the Council’s Curriculum for Excellence strategic priorities. Pupils from Inver Primary explained how they profiled their own learning and set the next steps for themselves.

During discussion, Members expressed their appreciation for the presentation and sought clarification on a number of specific points. In particular, it was explained that:-

one of the Steers focussed on the need to engage with parents in a meaningful way and encouraged teachers to invite them into schools to observe how Curriculum for Excellence was implemented – this had proved more effective than sending out newsletters;
Quality Improvement Officers were linked to an Associated School Group (ASG) and met with ASG Head Teachers on a termly basis. This arrangement permitted a Group overview to be formed, together with the development of programmes from a whole group perspective, thus supporting the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence;
one of the Steers addressed the need for support for all learners and in this regard schools were encouraged to include all learners’ needs;
the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence had increased the workload for staff and it was important to ensure that they were appropriately supported. The Steer document had been developed specifically to reduce the burden on teachers by way of providing a route through the competing priorities and to clarify implementation issues; and
in terms of supporting parents who had challenges in engaging, it was an absolute priority, both within schools and the wider ASG, to draw on the wide pool of talent available, particularly from colleagues in Health and Social Care, so as to integrate fully as team.

In response to a request for a briefing on this subject, the Chairman undertook to ensure that all Members received email correspondence providing links to all relevant information on the Curriculum for Excellence. Should there be a need for additional briefing or training, this could be put in place as appropriate.

After discussion, the Committee:-

i. NOTED the links between The Highland Council’s Curriculum for Excellence
Strategic Priorities and “Curriculum for Excellence in Highland – A Steer for
Primary Schools”; and
ii. AGREED to endorse the approach taken to implementing Curriculum for
Excellence in Highland primary schools.

7. 16+ - Towards a Strategic Approach

There had been circulated Report No ASC-04-12 dated 11 June 2012 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided an update on progress in developing a Highland 16+ Strategic Plan. The Plan linked schools, colleges, UHI and other universities, Skills Development Scotland (SDS), employers, training providers, social enterprises, voluntary organisations, High Life Highland and NHS Highland in a partnership to provide a wide range of opportunities for young people in Highland.

During discussion, Members welcomed progress that had been made on the 16+ Strategic Plan and sought clarification on a number of specific points. In particular, it was explained that:-

early planning to facilitate transition to 16+ was essential, particularly for young people who needed additional support – transition needed to start at least one year in advance and preferably from the age of 14;
the Scottish Government was now asking Local Authorities to extend 16+ provisions from 16-19 years to 16-24 years. This was particularly pertinent for young people with additional support needs;
transport was a crucial area of concern in the Highlands. It was necessary to ensure that there were no gaps in support for young people, particularly those pupils who were moving onto college part-time but who were still on the school roll. Every effort was being made to ensure that no young person was penalised or denied access to college provision by living in a rural location and the skills for work programme now meant that most schools would be able to provide young people with employability skills;
schools were aware of supporting young people in terms of mediation with parents and carers in terms of housing – a small pilot study was starting on this work;
in terms of Corporate Parenting, there had been 18 referrals to the Family Firm scheme, which had exceeded expectations. A fuller progress report on this would be submitted to the Committee before the end of the year. Much effort had been made to ensure that referrals were successful, both for the young person and for the Services involved. There had been very good engagement from all Council Services and, in particular, Housing and Property placements in general had increased from 10 to 87, not including Family Firm Scheme;
the Single Work Programme was in the gift of Job Centre Plus – this was a 2 year programme and it was important to ensure that young people were supported properly into destinations prior to considering entering the Single Work Programme. Work had taken place with the Planning and Development Service to put in place a number of measures to support young people on this front;
it was extremely challenging to track placements. However, SDS was developing a central database to record young people’s destinations. The data hub was not currently operational but in the meantime a data sharing agreement had been put in place;
it was important to ensure that funding for Opportunities for All was spent as well as possible – particular reference was made to discretionary projects to support young people, who had left school, back into learning in some way;
the 16+ Learning team wanted to establish a consultation group with Highland Youth Voice in order to maintain contact and to gather their views;
regarding College places, liaison was continuing on a close and strategic basis; and
there was a need to encourage schools to respond to the local labour market’s offers of skills to work programmes, particularly in energy engineering and lab sciences. In this regard, liaison was continuing with HIE regarding forging better links with and increasing the number of businesses which provided apprenticeship schemes. In this regard, Lifescan planned to hold a business event in October which would cover employability issues and working with schools. The Committee would receive an update on this in due course.

During further discussion, Members welcomed the recent announcement that Lifescan was to make an investment of £9.5m which would secure 1100 jobs and create a further 19 highly skilled research jobs in the Highlands. This opened up further opportunities for young people and underlined the Highlands as a centre for innovation and the area’s reputation for economic growth and regeneration.

Members made reference to the current 16-19 cohort in Scotland which indicated that there were 35,151 16-19 year olds currently not in education, employment or training. It was hoped that there would be frequent reports on this situation, either through the District Partnerships or the Committee. * Members also expressed concern that the report made no mention of self-directed support or NHS involvement in the family firm or apprenticeships.

(* Agreed at Highland Council - 28 June 2012)

The Chairman confirmed that consistency of provision for 16+ across the Highlands was a priority for the Council Administration and the issue of transport was currently being taken forward with the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services. He gave an assurance that there would be frequent progress reports on this. NHS Highland and other employers were starting to engage on this and there was no barrier to involvement from the business community. He undertook to ensure that a briefing note would be issued to all Members on this matter, particularly in relation to how 16+ provisions interfaced with crofting. He also undertook to ensure that Committee members would be notified of and invited to attend Highland Youth Voice events so as to facilitate further engagement in this forum.

After discussion, the Committee:-

   i. NOTED the progress already made in developing a Highland 16+ Strategy;
   ii. AGREED to endorse the direction of travel over the next six months; and
* iii. AGREED TO RECOMMEND that the Adult and Children’s Services
     Committee be invited to attend Youth Voice events.

8. Integration of Health and Social Care

There had been circulated Report No ACS-05-12 dated 12 June 2012 by the Director of Health and Social Care which provided an overview of the completion of the “Planning for Integration” programme and details about the further developments associated with “Integrating Care in the Highlands”, including service redesign and governance issues.

In particular, Members were reminded that, within the governance arrangements for Highland Council and NHS Highland, both organisations had agreed that a joint Strategic Group would replace the former joint Leadership and Performance Group. This group had an important role in the overall joint governance structure of integrated services and would provide direction and leadership to Chief Officers, management teams and stakeholders. Governance within Highland Council would be at the Adult and Children’s Service Committee which would have three dedicated sub-committees, the leadership, membership and schemes of delegation of which would be determined at its next meeting.

In response to questions, it was explained that:-

in relation to the position for an Elected Member on the NHS Highland Improvement Committee, the possibility of a substitute Member would be investigated;
consideration would be given to the roles and responsibilities of Champions with regard to the various strategic agendas;
Information Management and Technology was the most intricate workstream in that it involved all electronic systems which supported the delivery of services within the Council and NHS Highland. The long timescale was a reflection of the complexity and the amount of work to be done and it was being given the highest priority by the Chief Executives of the Council and NHS Highland and the Programme Board;
it was intended that there would continue to be a joined up approach to communications and public relations and further information would be provided to the Committee as work progressed;
• the Risk Register was available on the Highland Life website (www.highlandlife.net);
in relation to the consultation workshops facilitated by Highland Children’s Forum, discussions had taken place regarding how to make the best use of the information gathered. Highland Children’s Forum had been working in partnership with the Council and other agencies and it was important that this continued and that information was shared and cross-used;
with regard to property and estates, the one-year licence to occupy was intended to allow time to develop a most robust solution. Work was ongoing and long-term proposals would be presented to the Committee in early course;
in relation to performance monitoring, exception reports would be submitted to the Committee where targets were not being met;
the role and remit of the District Partnerships would be recirculated; and
it was intended that the Strategic Commissioning Group would meet twice a year and information would be sought from the Chief Executives of the Council and NHS Highland on the timescale for the first meeting.

During further discussion, thanks were expressed to all staff who had contributed to the integration of health and social care services, particularly the senior officers who had led the process and NHS Highland staff who had transferred to the Council. There was a sense of shared purpose and values and it was hoped that this would continue as service redesign progressed within both lead agencies. District Partnerships would allow scrutiny at local level and the roll-out to all nine areas was eagerly anticipated. Members were informed that a Seminar on the pilot District Partnerships would take place after the summer which would allow them to be refined if necessary.

Thereafter, in relation to the three positions for Elected Members on the NHS Highland Health and Social Care Committee, Mr A Christie, seconded by Mrs L MacDonald, MOVED the recommendation as set out in the report that they be taken up by the nominated Champions for Older People and Adults and Carers together with the Coordinator of Champions and Children’s Champion.

As an AMENDMENT, Mrs M Davidson, seconded by Mrs I Campbell, moved that a member of the opposition be appointed to one of the three positions on the NHS Highland Health and Social Care Committee.

On a vote being taken, the MOTION received 14 votes and the AMENDMENT received 12 votes, the votes having been cast as follows:-

For the Motion:

Alston, D; Christie, A; Gormley, B; Gowans, K; Hendry, D; MacDonald, L; Mackay, D (W5); MacKenzie, G; McAllister, E; Munro, L; Rattray, M; Ross, G (W3); Slater, J; Stephen, K.

For the Amendment:

Campbell, I; Davidson, M; Douglas, J; Somerville, M; Fernie, B; Green, M; Hunter, E; Mackay, W; MacLennan, T; Smith, G; Robertson, F; Ross, G (W14)

Abstention:

McCulloch, M.

The MOTION therefore became the finding of the meeting.

With regard to the Lochaber District Partnership, nominations for the 1 available place were received as follows:-

Mr B Gormley
Mr T MacLennan

On a vote being taken, Mr Gormley received 15 votes and Mr MacLennan received 11 votes, the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Mr Gormley:

Alston, D; Christie, A; Gormley, B; Gowans, K; Hendry, D; MacDonald, L; Mackay, D (W5); MacKenzie, G; McAllister, E; McCulloch, M; Munro, L; Rattray, M; Ross, G (W3); Slater, J; Stephen, K.

Votes for Mr MacLennan:

Campbell, I; Davidson, M; Douglas, J; Fernie, B; Green, M; Hunter, E; Mackay, W; MacLennan, T; Smith, G; Robertson, F; Ross, G (W14).

Abstention:

Somerville, M.

Decision

The Committee:-

i. AGREED that the Chair of the Adult and Children’s Services Committee take
up the position for an Elected Member on the NHS Highland Improvement
Committee and that the possibility of a substitute be investigated;
ii. AGREED that the Council appoint a Champion for Older People and Adults
and a Champion for Carers and that they be as follows:-

Champion for Older People and Adults – Mrs K Stephen
Champion for Carers – Mr B Gormley

iii. AGREED that the nominated Champions for Older People and Adults and
Carers together with the Coordinator of Champions and Children’s Champion
take up the three positions for elected members on the NHS Highland
Health and Social Care Committee;
iv. AGREED that the following nine Members be the Lead Members for their
District Partnerships:-

Ardersier, Badenoch and Strathspey and Nairn – Mrs L MacDonald
Assynt, Skye and Lochalsh and Wester Ross – Mrs I Campbell
Caithness – Mr B Fernie
East Ross – Mr M Rattray
Inverness East – Mr K Gowans
Inverness West – Mrs M Davidson
Lochaber – Mr B Gormley
Mid Ross – Mr G MacKenzie
Sutherland – Mrs D MacKay

v. AGREED that the Leader of the Council and the Chair of the Adult and
Children’s Services Committee be members of the joint Strategic
Commissioning Group;
* vi. AGREED TO RECOMMEND that the Chair of the Finance, Housing and
      Resources Committee be a member of the joint Strategic Commissioning
      Group;
vii. AGREED that the number of Youth Action Teams be reduced from three
   to two, and to recommend the consequent staffing changes to the
   Finance, Housing and Resources Committee, subsequent to discussions
     with the Trade Unions;
viii. NOTED that it was intended to consider the roles and responsibilities of
     Champions with regard to the various strategic agendas;
ix. NOTED that exception reports would be submitted regularly to the
   Committee; and
x. AGREED that the District Partnerships’ role and remit be recirculated.

9. Early Years Services

There had been circulated Report No ACS-06-12 dated 12 June 2012 by the Director of Health and Social Care which provided information about the Scottish Government’s strategic direction for the early years and sought support for the trialling in Highland of the Family Nurse Partnership programme.

In response to questions, it was explained that:-

health visitors had transferred to the Council from NHS Highland and the services they provided were invaluable. Decisions regarding utilising additional funding to increase the number of health visitors were a matter for the Committee;
the Early Years Change Fund was complex in that it involved new funding of £50m from the Scottish Government as well as £222m of existing committed funds from every local authority and NHS Board in Scotland. With regard to the existing funding, the challenge was to make better use of it and be proactive rather than reactive. In relation to the new funding, to date it had been committed to the national priorities outlined in the report. The only element devolved to local authorities was to support two year old Looked After Children and the Council's allocation was approximately £50k per year, for which a programme would be developed and presented to Committee. Of the new funding which remained, it was anticipated that some of it would be allocated to individual authorities but that had not yet been considered by the Early Years Task Force;
with regard to trialling the Family Nurse Partnership in Highland, the programme would support 110 families, recruited on the basis of very specific criteria, and it was envisaged the trial would take two and a half to three years. Decisions would then be made about whether it would continue. The programme was being closely evaluated in partnership with the Scottish Government. One Health Board in Scotland was coming to the end of its trial and, on the basis of the evaluation, was engaged in discussions with the Scottish Government about whether there would be any ongoing financial support. It was anticipated that the Council would be in the same position; and
the expression of interest in the Family Nurse Partnership focused on the mid and south areas of Highland. Delivering the programme over such a large geographical area would be challenging but it was achievable and, if successful, would inform how it might be rolled out to other areas in the future.

During further discussion, the following comments were made:-

the critical role of third sector partners in delivering early years services was recognised;
there was a commitment in the new Programme for The Highland Council of an additional £1m per year preventative spend to support families and their children in the early years and this was welcomed;
whilst welcoming the trial Family Nurse Partnership programme, disappointment was expressed that it would not address the areas of greatest deprivation and inequality and it was suggested that this be examined in more detail should the expression of interest be successful. Concern was also expressed regarding the Council's ability to staff the programme given the number of health visitors and the geographical spread of the trial area; and
the need to recruit more Health Visitors was emphasised given their crucial role in terms of early intervention and child protection and it was suggested that a specific report on Health Visitors be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

Thereafter, the Committee AGREED to support the trialling of the Family Nurse Partnership programme in Highland.

10. Fostering and Adoption Services

Declaration of Interest:

Mrs G McCreath declared a financial interest in this item as a foster parent and left the room.

There had been circulated Report No ACS-07-12 dated 12 June 2012 by the Director of Health and Social Care which provided an update on the implementation of preventative measures in Fostering and Adoption Services, including the planned specialist scheme and measures to deliver the authority’s Adoption Plan.

In response to questions, it was explained that:-

parental drug and alcohol misuse was having an impact on the number of accommodated children in Highland although it was less than in some other parts of the country and it was believed this was due to effective early intervention. It was essential that there was collaborative work across substance misuse and child protection services and the issue had been identified as a priority by both the Child Protection Committee and the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership. A seminar had taken place and a joint group would be created which would take forward a range of actions;
in relation to children being moved to a number of different placements, every effort was made to place children close to their home communities and original school but that was not always immediately possible and there might be a subsequent move in terms of supporting their ongoing education. It was a challenging high-priority issue and reports would continue to be presented to Committee on the matter;
as stated in the Adoption Plan, it was essential to seek the views of Looked After Children and young people, particularly those who were in permanent fostering or adoption placements, and this was done through the Child’s Plan and carers listening and discussing issues with them. Their achievements were celebrated and they were asked to contribute to a newsletter. The experiences of adopted children helped to inform the services provided post-adoption, for example, supporting adopted adults in finding out about their birth relatives; and
meeting the needs of a range of children continued to be an important aspect of the Fostering and Adoption Service and many long-term foster carers supported children with disabilities. In addition, the Positive Partnerships scheme provided support and funding to families who could provide respite care for children with very significant disabilities.

Thereafter, having commended the Fostering and Adoption Service for its excellent work over a large geographical area, the Committee:-

i. NOTED the contents of the report, including the Highland Council Adoption
Plan; and
ii. AGREED the enhancements of the service, by the creation of four local
teams, with one additional Team Manager and two additional Social Workers,
subject to the approval of the Finance, Housing and Resources Committee.

11. Integration of Health and Social Care: Scottish Government
Consultation

There had been circulated Report No ACS-08-12 dated 12 June 2012 by the Director of Health and Social Care which proposed a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the integration of adult health and social care.

Members welcomed the response, particularly the references to children’s services and the implementation of the Lead Agency model in Highland.

Thereafter, the Committee APPROVED the proposed response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the integration of adult health and social care.

12. Appointment of Representatives to Outside Bodies

i. Caithness Horizons Trust

Declaration of Interest:

Mr W MacKay declared a non-financial interest in this item as a Director of Caithness Horizons Limited but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.

The Committee had been invited to nominate 1 Member to the Caithness Horizons Trust which owned and managed historical museum artefacts on behalf of Caithness Horizons.

The Committee AGREED to appoint Ms G Ross to the Caithness Horizons Trust.

ii. Inter-Authority Standing Group on Gaelic Education

The Committee had been invited to nominate 1 Member to the Inter-Authority Standing Group on Gaelic Education which was designed to bring Education Authorities together to share good practice and to react to Executive initiatives in Gaelic Education.

Nominations were received as follows:-

Mr H Fraser
Mr A MacLeod

On a vote being taken, Mr Fraser received 10 votes and Mr MacLeod received 13 votes, the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Mr Fraser:

Campbell, I; Davidson, M; Douglas, J; Fernie, B; Green, M; Hunter, E; MacKay, W; MacLennan, T; Robertson, F; Ross, G (W14).

Votes for Mr MacLeod:

Alston, D; Christie, A; Gormley, B; Gowans, K; MacDonald, L; Mackay, D (W5); MacKenzie, G; McAllister, E; Munro, L; Rattray, M; Ross, G (W3); Slater, J; Stephen, K.

Abstention:

Somerville, M.

* The Committee therefore AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council that Mr A MacLeod be appointed to the Inter-Authority Standing Group on Gaelic Education.

iii. Highland Children’s Trust

The Committee had been invited to nominate 1 Member to the Highland Children’s Trust which provided financial assistance to needy children and young people up to the age of 25 who were resident in, or had some connection to, Highland. The Trust’s Board was comprised of 5 Governors, one of whom was appointed by the Highland Council.

The Committee AGREED to appoint Mrs L Munro to the Highland Children’s Trust.

iv. Poolewe Swimming Pool Association

The Committee had been invited to nominate 1 Member to the Poolewe Swimming Pool Association which was a registered charity managed and supported by the Highland Council.

* The Committee AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council that Mr R Greene be appointed to the Poolewe Swimming Pool Association.

v. Raddery Trust

The Committee had been invited to nominate 1 Member to the Raddery Trust which had been established to promote the education and care of children and young people with additional support for learning needs throughout Highland.

* The Committee AGREED TO RECOMMEND that Ms M Smith be appointed to the Raddery Trust.

vi. Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – Highland Award Partnership

The Committee had been invited to nominate 2 Members to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme which had been established nationally to promote the achievement and self-confidence of young people through participation in voluntary and outdoor activities.

* The Committee AGREED TO RECOMMEND that Mr D Millar and Mr M Green be appointed to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – Highland Award Partnership.

vii. Highland Institute of Sport Board

The Committee NOTED that sportscotland had informed the Council that, as the Highland Institute of Sport Board had now been dissolved, representation was no longer sought.

viii. Strathpeffer Pavilion Association Limited

The Committee had been invited to nominate 2 Members to the Strathpeffer Pavilion Association Limited which had been as established to promote the refurbishment and operation of the Victorian spa pavilion in Strathpeffer.

Having recognised that Members of the Highland Licensing Board were excluded, nominations for the 2 available places were received as follows:-

Mr G MacKenzie
Mrs I Campbell
Dr A Sinclair

On a vote being taken, Mr MacKenzie received 13 votes, Mrs Campbell received 11 votes and Dr Sinclair received 11 votes, the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Mr MacKenzie:

Alston, D; Christie, A; Gormley, B; Gowans, K; MacDonald, L; Mackay, D (W5); MacKenzie, G; McAllister, E; Munro, L; Rattray, M; Ross, G (W3); Slater, J; Stephen, K.

Votes for Mrs Campbell:

Campbell, I; Davidson, M; Douglas, J; Fernie, B; Green, M; Hunter, E; Mackay, W; MacLennan, T; Rattray, M; Robertson , F; Ross, G (W14).

Abstentions:

Alston, D; MacKenzie, G; Stephen, K.

Votes for Dr Sinclair:

Campbell, I; Davidson, M; Douglas, J; Fernie, B; Green, M; Hunter, E; MacDonald, L; Mackay, W; MacLennan, T; Robertson, F; Ross, G (W14).

Abstentions:

MacKenzie, G; Stephen, K.

At this point, Dr A Sinclair elected to withdraw.

The Committee therefore AGREED to appoint Mrs I Campbell and Mr G MacKenzie to the Strathpeffer Pavilion Company Limited.

ix. Blas Board

The Committee had been invited to nominate 3 Members to the Blas Board. The Blas Festival had been established by the Council to create and develop an international festival of traditional music and culture, providing a showcase, particularly for young Highland musicians. Blas was project managed by Fèisean nan Gàidheal and governed by a Board which included 3 Highland Council Members.

Nominations for the 3 available places were received as follows:-

Ms J Slater
Mr E Hunter
Mr B Gormley
Mrs M Paterson

On a vote being taken, Ms Slater received 13 votes, Mr Hunter received 10 votes, Mr Gormley received 14 votes and Mrs Paterson received 12 votes. Mr Hunter was therefore eliminated, the votes having been cast as follows:-

Votes for Ms Slater:

Alston, D; Christie, A; Gormley, B; Gowans, K; MacDonald, L; Mackay, D (W5), MacKenzie, G; McAllister, E; Munro, L; Rattray, M; Ross, G (W3), Slater, J; Stephen, K.

Votes for Mr Hunter:

Campbell, I; Davidson, M; Douglas, J; Fernie, B; Green, M; Hunter, E; Mackay, W; MacLennan, T; Robertson, F; Ross, G (W14).

Abstentions:

MacKenzie, G; Stephen, K.

Votes for Mr Gormley:

Alston, D; Christie, A; Gormley, B; Gowans, K; Green, M; MacDonald, L; Mackay, D (W5), MacKenzie, G; McAllister, E; Munro, L; Rattray, M; Ross, G (W3); Slater, J; Stephen, K.

Votes for Mrs Paterson:

Campbell, I; Davidson, M; Douglas, J; Fernie, B; Gormley, B; Green, M; Hunter, E; Mackay, W; MacLennan, T; Robertson, F; Ross, G (W14), Ross, G (W3).

Abstention:

Stephen, K.

The Committee therefore AGREED to appoint Ms J Slater, Mr B Gormley and Mrs M Paterson to the Blas Board.

13. Minutes

The Committee NOTED the following Minutes of Meetings:-

i.   Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group of 26 October
   2011;
ii. Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group of 31 January 2012;
iii. Education Transport Entitlement Review Sub-Committee of 16 March 2012;
    and
iv. Child Protection Committee of 20 March 2012.

Arising from the Minutes, the Committee AGREED that:-

a. a progress report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee on
the contribution of Public Health Nurses to the Youth Action Service;
b. all Councillors be sent an electronic link to the Child Protection Committee’s
Community Groups Guidance; and
c. a report be presented to a future meeting of the Committee on the
possibility of delivering presentations to 4th year pupils on issues relating to
alcohol.

The meeting concluded at 4.15 pm.