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 Wednesday 29 May 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.    Presentation: Young Enterprise
Taisbeanadh: Iomairt Òigridh

There will be a presentation by senior pupils from Fortrose Academy, Highland and Moray Young Enterprise Company of the Year.  

5.    Presentation: Education Transformation
Taisbeanadh: Cruth-atharrachadh Foghlaim

There is circulated Report No CLH/27/19 dated 17 May 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The report introduces a presentation on developments in the transformation of education within the Council since the paper presented to the Committee in March 2019.  There will also be an introduction to the five Head Teachers on the Change Team, who will outline their main priorities/tasks.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the system of support and challenge being put in place to deliver better outcomes for young people; and
ii.    the priorities of the Change Team.

6.    Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Non-HRA Budget: Near-final Outturn Report 2018/2019
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Cunntas Buidseat Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No CLH/28/19 dated 20 May 2019 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to approve the near-final revenue budget position for 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019.

7.    Community Services Performance Report – 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019
Aithisg Choileanaidh Taigheadais - 1 Giblean 2018 gu 31 Màrt 2019

There is circulated Report No CLH/29/19 dated 20 May 2019 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the information provided on housing performance for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019; and
ii.    agree that a Housing Revenue Account property at Achow, Lybster, be declared surplus and available for disposal on the open market.

8.    Homelessness: Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Phlana Eadar-ghluasaid a thaobh Ath-thuineachadh Luath

There is circulated Report No CLH/30/19 dated 20 May 2019 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    approve the updated Highland Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan and associated Action Plan as attached at Appendices 1 and 2 of the report;
ii.    note that Scottish Government phase 2 funding is now anticipated for confirmation from August 2019;
iii.    note that a further report will be presented to Committee with details of progress against the Action Plan once funding is confirmed; and
iv.    note that a further report will be presented on the homeless appeals process.

9.    Annual Monitoring Report: Housing Allocations Policy
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Bhliadhnail: Poileasaidh Riarachadh Taigheadais

There is circulated Report No CLH/31/19 dated 20 May 2019 by the Director of Community Services.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the information contained in the Annual Monitoring Report on housing allocations and that the policy is achieving its objectives in relation to meeting housing needs; and
ii.    that a policy review is in process and that Members will be invited to a Policy Development Group in Autumn 2019.

10.    Care and Learning Revenue Budget Near Final Out-turn 2018/19
Suidheachadh Faisg air Deireannach Buidseat Teachd-a-steach Cùraim agus Ionnsachaidh 2018/19

There is circulated Report No CLH/32/19 dated 13 May 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to consider the revenue budget near-final outturn for 2018/19 and the actions being taken to address the budget position in the current year.

11.    Care and Learning Service Plan 2019/20
Plana Seirbheis a’ Chùraim agus an Ionnsachaidh 2019/20

There is circulated Report No CLH/33/19 dated 20 May 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to comment on the draft Service Plan for 2019/20, agree any amendments required and approve the plan.

12.    Early Learning and Childcare Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Thràth-ionnsachadh agus Cùram-chloinne

There is circulated Report No CLH/34/19 dated 17 May 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note the current national and local position

13.    Care and Learning Capital – Early Learning and Childcare/School Estate Improvement Programmes
Calpa Cùraim agus Ionnsachaidh – Tràth-ionnsachadh agus Cùram-chloinne/Prògraman Leasachaidh Oighreachdan Sgoile

There will follow joint Report No CLH/35/19 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning and the Director of Development and Infrastructure.

14.    Community and Leisure Capital Programme and Related Revenue Implications                                         
Prògram Calpa Coimhearsnachd is Cur-seachad agus Seaghan Teachd-a-steach Buntainneach

There is circulated Report No CLH/36/19 dated 16 May 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree to:-

i.    the capital and revenue commitments to support the re-opening of Caithness Horizons, Thurso, all as detailed in section 5 of the report; and
ii.    the novation of the existing agreement with the National Lottery, currently co-signed by Highland Council and Caithness Horizons, solely to Highland Council.

15.    Statutory Consultation – Closure of Altnaharra Primary School
Bun-Sgoil Allt na h-Eirbhe – aithisg dheireannach le moladh airson dùnadh

There is circulated Report No CLH/37/19 dated 15 May 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend to the Council that education at Altnaharra Primary School be discontinued and its catchment area divided between those of Tongue Primary School, Farr Primary School and Lairg Primary School.

16.    Statutory Consultation – Proposal to Proceed to Statutory Consultation for Formal Closure of Uig Primary School
Bun-Sgoil Ùige – iarrtas co-chomhairle reachdail a thòiseachadh a thaobh dùnadh

There is circulated Report No CLH/38/19 dated 25 April 2019 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 appended to the report.

17.    Statutory Consultation – Proposal to Proceed to Statutory Consultation for Formal Closure of Stoer Primary School
Bun-Sgoil an Stòir – iarrtas co-chomhairle reachdail a thòiseachadh a thaobh dùnadh

There is circulated Report No CLH/39/19 dated 25 April 2019 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 appended to the report.

18.    Review of the Statutory Consultation Exercise to establish a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Ullapool Primary School
FtG Ullapuil – aithisg dheireannach le molaidhean sgìre-sgoile FtG a stèidheachadh

There is circulated Report No CLH/40/19 dated 25 April 2019 by the Interim Director of Care and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    consider the Proposal set out within the Consultation Report (Appendix A of the report) and associated appendices;
ii.    consider the representations received and the report from Education Scotland; and
iii.    agree to recommend to the Council the creation of a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Ullapool Primary School on the basis shown on the map at Appendix 2 of the report.

19.    Statutory Consultation – Gaelic Medium Catchment Proposals for Mount Pleasant Primary School, Thurso
Bun-Sgoil Mount Pleasant, FtG Inbhir Theòrsa – iarrtas co-chomhairle reachdail a thòiseachadh a thaobh stèidheachadh sgìre-sgoile FtG

There is circulated Report No CLH/41/19 dated 25 April 2019 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 appended to the report.

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

There is circulated Report No CLH/42/19 dated 1 May 2019 by the Chief Executive, High Life Highland.

The Chief Executive, High Life Highland, will give a presentation in amplification of the report.

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 Highland Council for the operating period to March 2019; and
ii.    note and comment on the general updates since the last report to the Care, Learning and Housing Committee in December 2018.

21.    Schools Music Tuition
Oideachadh Ciùil Sgoiltean

There is circulated Report No CLH/43/19 dated 1 May 2019 by the Chief Executive, High Life Highland.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the successful completion of the transfer of music tuition to High Life Highland;
ii.    early indications of improvement in service delivery since the transfer;
iii.    the joint guidance published in February 2019 by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Scottish Government and the Music Education Partnership Group; and
iv.    that historically, the service has complied well with the new national guidance and that this approach is being continued by High Life Highland.

22.    Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.    Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 4 December 2018 (for noting);
ii.    Highland Child Protection Committee – 4 December 2018 (for noting);
iii.    Highland Community Justice Partnership – 12 December 2018 (for noting);
iv.    Poverty and Inequalities Working Group – 13 March 2019 (for approval);
v.    Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 28 March 2019 (for approval);
vi.    External and Third Sector Sport, Leisure, Culture and Community Funding Working Group – 26 April 2019 (for approval); and
vii.    External and Third Sector Sport, Leisure, Culture and Community Funding Working Group – 17 May 2019 (for approval).