Agendas, reports and minutes

Care, Learning and Housing Committee (formerly the People Committee)

Date: Wednesday, 23 August 2017

Agenda: Read the Agenda

A meeting of the People Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 23 August 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.

Prior to the commencement of formal business, the Chair will make a presentation to the winners of the Annual Play Award, “Roots and Shoots”.

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.    Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 29 June 2017 were not exercised in relation to the business of the Committee.

4.    Advice and Information Services: End of Year Monitoring 2016/17
Comhairle agus Fiosrachadh – Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There is circulated Report No PEO/07/17 dated 15 August 2017 by the Director of Finance.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    consider the contents of this report; and
ii.    note the progress on the review of debt advice and related services.

5.    Housing Revenue Budget Monitoring Report – 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017    
Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais 2017/18

There is circulated Report No PEO/08/17 dated 17 July 2017 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the housing revenue budget position for 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017.

6.    Housing Performance Report - 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017
Aithisg Coileanaidh Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No PEO/09/17 dated 10 August 2017 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017.

7.    Presentation: Stramash Outdoor Nursery
Taisbeanadh: Sgoil-àraich A-muigh Stramash

Cameron Sprague, Team Leader, and Rachel Cowper, Board Member, Stramash, will give a presentation on the philosophy and value of outdoor nurseries and their experience to date of the operation of Stramash Outdoor Nursery in Fort William.

8.    Outstanding Achievements
Coileanaidhean Air Leth

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

9.    Care and Learning Revenue Budget Monitoring 2017/18
Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach Cùraim agus Ionnsachaidh 2017/18

There is circulated Report No PEO/10/17 dated 14 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the forecast budget outturn for 2017/18;
ii.    agree the RAG (Red-Amber-Green) status of the 2017/18 budget savings;
iii.    agree to transfer the budget of £39,309 for Tongue and Farr Sports Association (North Coast Leisure Centre, Bettyhill) from the Council’s 3rd sector grants budget to the budget for services commissioned from High Life Highland, and that the Service Delivery Contract with High Life Highland be amended accordingly.

10.    Care and Learning Capital Programme
Prògram Calpa Cùraim agus Ionnsachaidh

There is circulated Report No PEO/11/17 dated 15 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    consider the current position in relation to Inverness Schools as set out in section 4 of the report;
ii.    approve the granting of delegated powers in relation to the award of an early works contract and approval of the Stage 1 report for the Alness Academy project, as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report;
iii.    consider the current position in relation to the additional works that will be required as part of the refurbishment of Inverness High School as set out in paragraph 5.2 of the report;
iv.    approve the allocation of £1.3M from the Free School Meals Programme for the project at Dalneigh Primary School as set out in paragraph 6.2 of the report;
v.    approve the inclusion of Grantown Primary School in the list of priorities for the next three financial years, to be considered as part of the review of the Council’s capital programme as set out in paragraph 6.3 of the report;
vi.    approve an increased budget of £250,000 for the re-roofing and replacement windows project at Brora Primary School as set out in paragraph 7.1 of the report;
vii.    approve an increased budget of £100,000 for the toilet refurbishment project at Craighill Primary School as set out in paragraph 7.2 of the report; and
viii.    consider the current position in relation to Roll Pressures as Paragraph 7.3.

11.    Statutory Consultation – Gaelic Medium Catchment Proposals for the Portree Associated School Group
Co-chomhairle Reachdail – Molaidhean Sgìrean-sgoile Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig airson Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte Phort Rìgh

There is circulated Report No PEO/12/17 dated 14 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to a statutory consultation on the establishment of Gaelic Medium catchment areas for the Portree Associated School Group on the basis of the proposal appended to the report.

12.    Review of Statutory Consultation Exercise into Changing the Catchment Boundary between Inverlochy Primary School and Lundavra Primary School
Ath-sgrùdadh air Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail a Thaobh a Bhith ag Atharrachadh Crìoch na Sgìre-sgoile eadar Bun-Sgoil Inbhir Lòchaidh agus Bun-Sgoil Lunn Dà Bhrà

There is circulated Report No PEO/13/17 dated 14 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend that the catchment boundary between Lundavra Primary School and Inverlochy Primary School be changed, as set out in Annex 1 of the report.

13.    Performance Report – Children’s Services
Aithisg Coileanaidh – Seirbheisean Chloinne

There is circulated Report No PEO/14/17 dated 14 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise and comment on the performance information; and
ii.    note the contents of the Highland Health and Social Care partnership annual performance report

14.    NHS Highland Assurance Report
Aithisg Barantais NHS na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No PEO/15/17 dated 7 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise the data and issues raised in the report; and
ii.    note that Members’ comments will be incorporated into a report to NHS Highland as part of the agreed governance arrangements.

15.    High Life Highland Progress Report
Aithisg Adhartais High Life na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No PEO/16/17 dated 11 August 2017 by the Chief Executive of High Life Highland.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    agree that High Life Highland has met or exceeded the outcomes expected in the Service Delivery Contract with the Council for the period November 2016 to June 2017;
ii.    note and comment on general updates since the last report in October 2016; and
iii.    note and comment on service improvements achieved through joining the staffing of leisure and library services in Alness, Aviemore and Wick. 

16.    Community Learning and Development
Ionnsachadh agus Leasachadh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No PEO/17/17 dated 14 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note that the Highland Community Planning Partnership has agreed the updated Community Learning and Development Plan for consideration and approval by the Council’s People Committee;
ii.    approve the updated Community Learning and Development Plan as set out in Appendix A of the report; and
iii.    note that work is underway, through the Highland Community Planning Partnership, to develop the 2018-2021 Highland Community Learning and Development Plan.

17.    Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan
Plana Lìbhrigidh Tràth-ionnsachaidh agus Cùraim-chloinne

There is circulated Report No PEO/18/17 dated 14 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    consider and comment on the development of the Delivery Plan as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.    note the complexities of the planning required for the expansion; 
iii.    note that further work is still to be undertaken over the next month to finalise the Delivery Plan; and
iv.    agree to delegate power to the Director of Care and Learning, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chairs of the People Committee, to approve the final Delivery Plan for submission to the Scottish Government by 29 September 2017.

18.    Highland Council Education Improvement Plan for 2017/2018
Plana Leasachaidh Foghlaim Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd airson 2017/2018

There is circulated Report No PEO/19/17 dated 14 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the revised national expectations summarised in the report;
ii.    approve the improvement priorities for 2017-18; and
iii.    approve the plans to deliver on the priorities. 

19.    Response to Highland Children's Forum report, "Moving on - Life After School"        
Freagairt do dh’aithisg Fòram Chloinne na Gàidhealtachd, “A’ Gluasad Air Adhart – Beatha Às Dèidh na Sgoile”

There is circulated Report No PEO/20/17 dated 7 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note that the consultation report previously presented to Committee by Highland Children’s Forum has been considered in detail and reflected upon by staff with responsibility for transitions in Highland;
ii.    comment on the ongoing work within the Care and Learning Service and with partner agencies to support transitions from school to adult services to ensure more consistent planning and support for all young people and their families at this key time in their lives; and
iii.    agree the ongoing commitment to improving the experience of young people and to track their outcomes as an indicator of how successful this work has been.

20.    Proposed Joint Transition Service for Young People aged 14 to 25 years    
Co-sheirbheis Eadar-ghluasaid ga Mholadh do Dhaoine Òga aois 14 gu 25 bliadhna

There is circulated Report No PEO/21/17 dated 14 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i.    the recommendation to commit to set up a joint transition service (Option 2); and
ii.    that a detailed implementation plan be developed and reported to a future meeting of the Committee.

21.    Self-Directed Support (Children)
Taic Fèin-Stiùirichte (Clann)

There is circulated Report No PEO/22/17 dated 11 August 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i.    the use of the Child’s Plan to replace the current Resource Allocation System (RAS) and support plan sheet;
ii.    the use of the eligibility criteria for disability services as the eligibility criteria for consideration of Self-Directed Support packages;
iii.    the changes to decision making processes as outlined in the report; and
iv.    the appeal process and complaint response responsibilities as outlined in the report.

22.    Complaints Review Committee Outcome (December 2016)
Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan (Dùbhlachd 2016)

There is circulated joint Report No PEO/23/17 dated 11 August 2017 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development and the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note that:-

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

23.    Complaints Review Committee Outcome (April 2017)
Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan (Giblean 2017)

There is circulated joint Report No PEO/24/17 dated 11 August 2017 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development and the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    that the Complaints Review Committee met to consider the case and the findings; and
ii.    the recommendations made by the Complaints Review Committee.

24.    Complaints Review Committee Outcome (June 2017)
Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan (Ògmhios 2017)

There is circulated joint Report No PEO/25/17 dated 11 August 2017 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development and the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note that:-

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

25.    Membership of Sub-Committees
Ballrachd Fho-chomataidhean

The Committee is invited to recommend that Mrs M Davidson replace Mr G Ross on the Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

26.    Appointments to Other Bodies
Cur an Dreuchd gu Buidhnean Eile

i.    SEEMiS Board of Management
Bòrd Stiùiridh SEEMiS

SEEMiS Group is an Education Management Information System provider.  It is a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) comprising all 32 Scottish local authorities.  The Board of Management directs SEEMiS on behalf of the members of the LLP. 

The Committee is invited to homologate the appointment of Mr J Finlayson to the SEEMiS Board of Management.

ii.    Food and Health in Schools Group
Biadh agus Slàinte ann am Buidhnean Sgoiltean

The Food and Health in Schools Group replaces the former School Meals Stakeholder Group which was in place between 2011 and 2015.  The Group now covers a broader remit about overall child health and healthy eating and makes recommendations on food, nutrition and health policies for pupils and staff in Highland schools.  

The Committee is invited to appoint 1 Member to the Food and Health in Schools Group.

27.    Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.    Highland Child Protection Committee – 7 June 2017 (draft for noting);
ii.    Highland Community Justice Partnership – 22 June 2017 (draft for noting);
iii.    Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers – 23 June 2017 (draft for noting);
iv.    Highland Council/NHS Highland Joint Monitoring Committee – 26 July 2017 (draft for noting); and
v.    Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 3 August 2017 (for approval).