Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Care, Learning and Housing Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 24 January 2019 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.    Good News/Outstanding Achievements
Naidheachdan Matha/Coileanaidhean Air Leth

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

4.    Housing Revenue Account and Non-HRA Budget Monitoring
Sgrùdadh Buidseit Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No CLH/01/19 dated 14 January 2019 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the budget position on the Housing Revenue Account and non-Housing Revenue Account.

5.    Housing Revenue Account Estimates 2019/20
Tuairmsean Cunntais Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No CLH/02/19 dated 15 January 2019 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    agree to recommend to the Council a 3% increase for council house rents for 2019/2020;
ii.    agree to recommend to the Council that the above percentage increase (3%) be applied to all residential HRA rents and service charges and to Gypsy/Traveller site pitches;
iii.    note that, following consideration by Area Committees/Ward Members, rents for garages and garage sites except in Lochaber will be increased by 3%, with rents for garages and garage sites in Lochaber to be as agreed by Lochaber Members;
iv.    agree to recommend to the Council that non-HRA rents for leased property should increase as stipulated in existing contracts;
v.    agree to recommend to the Council that the estimated HRA surplus of £2.148m in 2019/2020 be applied as capital from current revenue to fund HRA capital investment; and
vi.    agree to recommend to the Council that a full review of HRA loan charges and capital planning be carried out during 2019/20 to inform future HRA rents policy and the 2021-2026 HRA Capital Plan.

6.    Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016: Rent Pressure Zones
Achd Taigheadais Phrìobhaideach (Teanantachdan) (Alba) 2016: Raointean Cuideam Màil

There is circulated Report No CLH/03/19 dated 11 January 2019 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    agree that the Council continues to participate in joint discussion with COSLA and other Councils considering Rent Pressure Zone Applications;
ii.    agree to promoting the existing right of individual private rented tenants to challenge rent increases by requesting an independent assessment by Rent Officers; and
iii.    note that officers will monitor the emerging Planning (Scotland) Bill 2018 in relation to potential changes to legislation for short term holiday lets, and will arrange discussion with Local Members where there are likely to be implications.

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

There is circulated Report No CLH/04/19 dated 16 January 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    consider the revenue budget projected overspend position for the year to 31 December 2018 and note the actions being taken with regard to the budget position; and
ii.    agree the transfer of budget, and revision to the Service Delivery Contract with High Life Highland, relating to the funding for Lochalsh Leisure Centre.

8.    Adult Social Care Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chùram Shòisealta Inbheach

There is circulated Report No CLH/05/19 dated 21 December 2018 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report, and the highlighted items from the Adult Services Scrutiny and Development Sub-Committee and Health and Social Care Working Group.

9.    Update on the Northern Alliance Regional Improvement Collaborative
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chaidreachas Leasachaidh Roinneil a’ Cho-chòrdaidh a Tuath

There is circulated Report No CLH/06/19 dated 21 December 2018 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the progress of the Northern Alliance Regional Improvement Plan (Phase 2); and
ii.    a grant of up to £1,086,067 has been allocated to the Northern Alliance to enhance the Regional Improvement Collaborative’s activities and capacity building.

10.    Care & Learning and Housing & Building Maintenance Remit and Responsibilities
Raon-ùghdarrais agus Dleastanasan Cùraim & Ionnsachaidh agus Taigheadais & Cumail Suas Thogalaichean 

There is circulated joint Report No CLH/07/19 dated 11 January 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning and the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to note the remit and responsibilities of the Care and Learning Directorate and the Housing & Building Maintenance element of the Community Services Directorate and therefore the implications for agenda-setting of the Care, Learning and Housing Committee.

11.    Placement Services Change Programme Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Atharrachaidhean do Sheirbheisean Socrachaidh

There is circulated Report No CLH/08/19 dated 31 December 2018 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and comment on the progress to date against the Programme Plan.

12.    Statutory Consultation – Gaelic Medium Catchment Proposals for Mallaig Primary School
Co-chomhairle Reachdail – Molaidhean Sgìrean Sgoile Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig airson Bun-Sgoil Mhalaig

There is circulated Report No CLH/09/19 dated 20 December 2018 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to statutory consultation, on the basis of the Proposal attached to the report.

13.    Partnership with the Third Sector
Com-pàirteachas leis an Treas Roinn

There is circulated Report No CLH/10/19 dated 7 January 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

Ms J Douglas, Chief Executive, Care and Learning Alliance, and Ms G Newman, Policy Lead, Highland Children’s Forum, will give a presentation in amplification of the report.

The Committee is invited to note that the report addresses the agreement of the Council to continue to have dialogue with the Highland Third Sector Interface and other stakeholders.

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

There is circulated Report No CLH/11/19 dated 21 December 2018 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to approve:-

i.    the Three Year Plan for review of remaining Associated School Groups;
ii.    the meeting/engagement process and schedule; and
iii.    the Action Plan for review of the Inverness High School ASG.

15.    Key Developments in Criminal Justice Social Work Services
Prìomh Leasachaidhean ann an Seirbheisean Obair-shòisealta Ceartas Eucoireach

There is circulated Report No CLH/12/19 dated 3 January 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

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

16.    Complaints Review Committee Outcome
Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan

There is circulated joint Report No CLH/13/19 dated 31 December 2018 by the Depute Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources, and the Interim 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.    there are no recommendations made by the Complaints Review Committee. 

17.    Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.    Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 4 September 2018 (for noting);
ii.    Highland Community Justice Partnership – 12 September 2018 (for noting);
iii.    Highland Child Protection Committee – 4 October 2018 (for noting); and
iv.    Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 30 November 2018 (for approval).