Agendas, reports and minutes

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

Date: Wednesday, 22 August 2018

Agenda: Read the Agenda

A meeting of the Care, Learning and Housing Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 22 August 2018 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

Stewart Fraser
Head of Corporate Governance

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 28 June 2018 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Committee.

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.    Presentation: Science Skills Academy – Progress Update
Taisbeanadh: Acadamaidh Sgilean Saidheans – Cunntas air Adhartas

Andrew Johnston, lead officer for the Highland Science Skills Academy, will give a presentation on this initiative to increase the proportion of young people who are able to take advantage of the growing opportunities in life sciences, renewable energy and digital technologies. 

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the presentation.

6.    Advice and Information Services: End of Year Monitoring 2017/18
Seirbheisean Comhairle agus Fiosrachaidh: Sgrùdadh Deireadh Bliadhna 2017/18

There is circulated Report No CLH/20/18 dated 2 August 2018 by the Depute Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the 15.4% overall increase in the number of customers reached by the Council’s Welfare Support team and Citizens Advice Bureaux during 2017/18;
ii.    that financial gains for customers exceeded £24 million (+22.9%) which is mainly attributable to Universal Credit and challenging adverse decisions relating to Employment and Support Allowance/Personal Independence Payment;
iii.    the downward movement to £16.5 million (-15.5%) in the amount of debt presented; and
iv.    the increase in the number of tenants in receipt of Universal Credit which accounted for  £1.3m of the Council’s £2.5m total rent arrears at March 2018.

7.    Care and Learning Revenue Budget Monitoring 2018/19
Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach a’ Chùraim agus an Ionnsachaidh 2018/19

There is circulated Report No CLH/21/18 dated 13 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    agree the revenue budget projected overspend position for the year to 30 June 2018; and
ii.    note the update provided regarding Aviemore pool.

8.    Care and Learning Service Plan 2017-22
Plana Seirbheis a’ Chùraim agus an Ionnsachaidh 2017-22

There is circulated Report No CLH/22/18 dated 14 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    comment on the draft Service Plan for 2017-22;
ii.    agree any amendments required; and
iii.    approve the plan.

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

There is circulated Report No CLH/23/18 dated 13 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise and comment on the performance information; and
ii.    note the information provided on quality improvement.

10.    NHS Highland Assurance Report
Aithisg Barantais NHS na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No CLH/24/18 dated 13 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise the data and issues raised in the report.  Comments will be incorporated into a report to NHS Highland as part of the agreed governance arrangements;
ii.    agree to support the revised training programme for School Nursing and the use of the pay differential to fund the course fees, as set out in paragraph 7.3 of the report; and
iii.    agree to the appointment of three additional Practice Teachers on a two-year secondment, and the use of the Health Training budget to fund the course fees and the Practice Teacher costs as set out in paragraph 7.3 of the report.

11.    Adult Social Care Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chùram Sòisealta Inbheach

There is circulated Report No CLH/25/18 dated 13 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report and the highlighted items from the Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

12.    Statutory Consultation – Altnaharra Primary School
Co-chomhairle Reachdail – Bun-Sgoil Allt na h-Eirbhe

There is circulated Report No CLH/26/18 dated 31 July 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to statutory consultation on the proposal to discontinue the provision of education at Altnaharra Primary School.

13.    Sustainable Education in Highland Communities: Update
Foghlam Seasmhach ann an Coimhearsnachdan na Gàidhealtachd: Cunntas às Ùr

There is circulated Report No CLH/27/18 dated 13 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the progress on the proposals presented to the May Committee:
ii.    agree to support the review of a revised school office support structure for Mallaig High School Associated School Group;
iii.    note the processes being put in place for the delivery of Workstream 1 - Improving Education Outcomes; and
iv.    endorse the formal relationship being set up with e-Sgoil.

14.    Gaelic Medium Education
Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig

There is circulated Report No CLH/28/18 dated 13 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise the report; and
ii.    endorse the guidance on Meeting Additional Support Needs in Gaelic Medium Education.

15.    Regional Improvement Plan
Plana Leasachaidh Roinneil

There is circulated Report No CLH/29/18 dated 7 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the content of the Northern Alliance Regional Improvement Plan (Phase 2); and
ii.    endorse the work of the Northern Alliance, Regional Improvement Collaborative.

16.    Closing the Attainment Gap
A’ Dùnadh a’ Bheàirn Bhuileachaidh

Part 1: Update on Emerging Literacy
Pàirt 1: Cunntas às Ùr mu Litearras a’ Tighinn am Bàrr

There is circulated Report No CLH/30/18 dated 23 July 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    and comment on the progress being made through this approach to literacy development and the benefits achieved for children in the schools that use it; and
ii.    the wider benefits of sharing this approach across the Northern Alliance.

Part 2a: Highland Children's Forum Consultation about the issue of Children and Young People not in Full-time Education
Pàirt 2a: Co-chomhairle Fòram Chloinne na Gàidhealtachd mu Chloinn is Dhaoine Òga nach eil ann am Foghlam Làn-ùine

There is circulated Report No CLH/31/18 dated 13 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

Gillian Newman, Highland Children’s Forum, will give a presentation in amplification of of the report.

The Committee is invited to note and discuss the briefing provided by Highland’s Children’s Forum.

Part 2b: Inclusive Education: Schools Exclusions and Part-time Education
Pàirt 2b: Foghlam In-ghabhalach: Às-dùnaidhean Sgoile agus Foghlam Pàirt-ùine

There is circulated Report No CLH/32/18 dated 31 July 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note that standards of behaviour in Highland schools are generally in line with or better than the norms reported nationally;
ii.    note that the policy framework in Highland is in line with that required nationally and focuses on creating a positive culture and ethos, underpinned by positive relationships across the school community;
iii.    note the progress being made by the various interventions and approaches to supporting pupils with social, emotional and behavioural needs; and
iv.    agree to support the promotion of positive relationships with staff in schools and wider school communities as a key factor in developing a positive school ethos.

17.    School Term Dates
Cinn-latha Theirmean Sgoile

There is circulated Report No CLH/33/18 dated 13 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the current position in respect of school term dates; and
ii.    agree to a review of the process to consider the anticipated benefit of moving to a fixed school Easter holiday in the first 2 weeks of April each year.  

18.    Placement Services Change Programme
Prògram Atharrachaidh nan Seirbheisean Socrachaidh

There is circulated Report No CLH/34/18 dated 14 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    approve the Programme Plan;
ii.    approve a post to support the work related to the Attainment Challenge funding for Looked After Children;
iii.    note that recruitment of a range of posts to support the Programme will commence over the next few months as set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report, subject to vacancy monitoring approval; and
iv.    agree to hold a seminar to support further discussion with Members regarding this Programme.

19.    Kinship Care
Cùram Dàimheil

There is circulated Report No CLH/35/18 dated 14 August 2018 by the Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the report.

20.    Membership of Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee
Ballrachd Fho-Chomataidh Leasachaidh agus Sgrùdaidh nan Seirbheisean Inbheach

The Committee is invited to agree the revised membership of the Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee as tabled.

21.    Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.    Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 12 December 2017 (for noting);
ii.    Highland Community Justice Partnership – 7 March 2018 (for noting);
iii.    Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 13 March 2018 (for noting);
iv.    Highland Child Protection Committee – 13 March 2018 (for noting);
v.    Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 7 June 2018 (for approval);
vi.    Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers – 21 June 2018 (draft for noting); 
vii.    Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 10 August 2018 (for approval) (to follow); and
viii.    Poverty and Inequalities Working Group – 14 August 2018 (for approval) (to follow).