Agendas, reports and minutes

A Special Meeting of the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 8 October 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. Presentation: Achievement Awards
    Taisbeanadh: Duaisean Coileanaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/79/15 dated 15 September 2015 by the Chief Executive, High Life Highland, which summarises the range of achievement awards available in the area for young people.  At the Committee, High Life Highland will provide an overview of its work in this area and two young people who are undertaking their Gold Youth Achievement Awards will summarise how they have benefited from their participation in them.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the range and content of the various awards; and
ii. note and comment on the presentation and the benefits for young people participating in achievement awards.

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 – Monitoring 2015/16
    Buidseat Teachd-a-steach – Sgrùdadh 2015/16

There is circulated Report No ECAS/80/15 dated 24 September 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 31 August 2015.  The report also provides an update in relation to agreed budget savings, proposals in relation to building cleaning budget savings, an update on the Looked After Children budget and an update on the review of janitorial/FM Services.

The Committee is invited to consider the report and:-

i. agree the forecast outturn based upon the year to 31 August 2015;
ii. note the status of the agreed budget savings and mitigating action being taken to address the forecast shortfall;
iii. note the update provided in relation to Looked After Children;
iv. agree the revised structure for building cleaning to progress delivery of the agreed budget saving; and
v. note the update provided in relation to the review of janitorial/FM Services.

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

There is circulated Report No ECAS/81/15 dated 29 September 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 August 2015.

The Committee is invited to approve:-

i.  the capital monitoring position to the end of August 2015 and the year-end forecast for 2015/16 as detailed in
    Section 1 and Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.  the current status of major projects as outlined in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.3 of the report and as listed in Appendix 2;
iii. the projects listed in paragraph 2.4 to be progressed as priorities for inclusion in the 2015/16 programme;
iv. the current position with the Easter Ross Schools as detailed in Section 3 and Appendices 3 and 4 of the report;
    and
v. the current position in relation to school statutory consultations and the review of currently mothballed schools, all
    as detailed in Section 4 of the report.

7. Care and Learning Capital Programme – Future Investment Priorities
    Prògram Calpa a’ Chùraim agus an Ionnsachaidh – Prìomhachasan Tasgaidh an Ama ri Teachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/82/15 dated 29 September 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out a proposed process for establishing future investment priorities for generic budget lines within the capital programme.  Through this process, the intention would be to engage with Members at Ward level on officer assessments of priorities, capture Members’ views on local priorities and, thereafter, bring a report back to Committee for approval.  The establishment of future priorities would then allow forward allocation of budget lines on a 2-3 year basis, improving forward planning and delivery of projects and also providing greater certainty to communities and Members.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the proposed approach outlined in the report; and
ii. note the proposed timescale for the consultation process to take place at Ward level.

8. Adult Social Care Year End Outturn 2014/15 and Forward Look to 2016/17
    Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireadh Bliadhna Cùram Sòisealta Inbheach 2014/15 agus Sùil Air Adhart gu
    2016/17

There is circulated Report No ECAS/83/15 dated 21 September 2015 by the Director of Finance, NHS Highland, which provides an update on the funding of adult social care.

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

9. Children’s Services – Performance Report
    Seirbheisean Chloinne – Aithisg Dèanadais

There is circulated Report No ECAS/84/15 dated 29 September 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 consider and comment on the performance information and agree the proposed amendments to key performance measures.

10. Allied Health Professional Services
      Seirbheisean Proifeiseanta Slàinte Caidreabhach

There is circulated Report No ECAS/85/15 dated 28 September 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the progress being made to the reporting of waiting times data and additional context around the work of Allied Health Professions within Highland Council.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the information provided in relation to Allied Health Professions.

11. Adults with Incapacity
      Inbhich le Neo-chomas

There is circulated Report No ECAS/86/15 dated 28 September 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which outlines powers in relation to the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.  The report recommends that there is greater awareness across the community of the importance of making arrangements for Power of Attorney to ensure that measures can be put in place for the care of an adult without delay, should they become incapable.

Health and Social Care professionals have a key role in making people aware of the importance of making arrangements for Power of Attorney when they are capable.  The Committee is invited to consider if this is a role they can also assist in by making constituents aware of the importance of setting up arrangements for Power of Attorney.

12. Educational Attainment Update
      Cunntas às Ùr mu Bhuileachadh Foghlaim

There is circulated Report No ECAS/87/15 dated 29 September 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides the initial analysis of school performance in the SQA exams in 2015.  A more detailed analysis will be provided at a future Committee.

The Committee is invited to comment on the initial analysis of this year’s SQA results and to congratulate the young people of Highland on their successes in this year’s exams.

13. School Lets
      Màil Sgoile

There is circulated Report No ECAS/88/15 dated 24 September 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the proposed scope of a review of school lets charging policy, to support delivery of an agreed £150,000 savings target on school lets income.

The Committee is invited to agree the scope of the school lets review.

14. Management of Schools
       Rianachd Sgoiltean

There is circulated Report No ECAS/89/15 dated 29 September 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which outlines proposals for consideration as part of a strategy to enhance support for Head Teachers and sustain management in schools across the authority.  It is intended that these ideas should be developed further in dialogue with Head Teachers and other stakeholders.

The Committee is invited to comment on the issues raised in the report and agree that they should form the basis of more detailed discussions with Head Teachers and other stakeholders.

15. Chief Social Work Officer Report – 2014/15
      Aithisg Prìomh Oifigear Obrach-Shòisealta – 2014/15

There is circulated Report No ECAS/90/15 dated 25 September 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which introduces the Annual Report 2014/15 by the Chief Social Work Officer.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the issues raised in the Annual Report.

16. Internal Audit Reports
      Aithisgean In-sgrùdaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/91/15 dated 27 September 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an overview and update in relation to six internal audit reports which have recently considered by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee:-

• Ben Wyvis Primary School Project
• School Lets Arrangements
• Primary School Fund – System Weaknesses
• Records Management, Nairn
• SEEMiS Integrated School Management System
• Financial Procedures in Schools

The Committee is invited to consider the report and note progress in relation to agreed management action.

17. Appointment of Chair of Caithness District Partnership
      Cur an Dreuchd Cathraiche gu Com-pàirteachas Sgìre Ghallaibh

The Committee is invited to appoint Mr W Mackay as Chair of Caithness District Partnership.

18. Appointment to Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership
      Cur an Dreuchd gu Com-pàirteachas Deoch-làidir is Dhrogaichean na Gàidhealtachd

The Committee is invited to appoint 1 Member to the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership.

19. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

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

i. Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership Strategy Group – 19 May 2015;
ii. Highland Child Protection Committee – 9 June 2015;
iii. FHC4 Leadership Group – 24 June 2015;
iv. FHC4 Leadership Group – 26 August 2015;
v. Duncraig Trust Scheme Sub-Committee – 2 September 2015; and
vi. Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 4 September 2015.