Agendas, reports and minutes

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

Date: Thursday, 10 October 2019

Minutes: Read the Minutes

Minutes of Meeting of the Care, Learning and Housing Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 10 October 2019 at 10.05 am.
 
Present:
 
Mrs J Barclay;Mr B Boyd;Mr R Bremner (video conferencing);Mrs I Campbell;Mr A Christie;Mrs M Cockburn;Mr J Finlayson (Chair);Mr A Graham;Mr T Heggie;Mr A Jarvie;Ms E Knox,
Mr G MacKenzie;Mrs I MacKenzie (am only);Mr D Macpherson;Mrs B McAllister;Ms L Munro (Vice Chair);Mrs M Paterson;Mrs F Robertson;Mr G Ross;Ms N Sinclair (video conferencing);Mr C Smith
 
NHS Highland:  Prof H van Woerden (am only)
 
Religious Representatives: Ms S Lamont; Mr W Skene
 
Non-Members also present:
 
Mr A Baxter (am only);Mrs D Mackay (teleconferencing – am only);Mrs M MacLean (am only);Mr J McGillivray (teleconferencing - am only);Mr A Sinclair
 
In attendance:
 
Ms D Manson, Chief Executive
Ms L Weber, Executive Chief Officer, Health and Social Care
Mr A Gunn, Chief Officer Resources, Care and Learning Service
Mr B Porter, Head of Resources, Care and Learning Service
Ms K Ralston, Interim Head of Children’s Services, Care and Learning Service
Dr J Vance, Interim Head of Education, Care and Learning Service
Ms N Grant, Interim Head of Education (Designate), Care and Learning Service
Mr D Goldie, Head of Housing and Building Maintenance, Community Services
Mr R Campbell, Estate Strategy Manager, Care and Learning Service
Mr I Kyle, Children’s Planning Manager, Care and Learning Service
Mrs F Shearer, Interim Care and Learning Manager – South, Care and Learning Service
Mr M Mitchell, Finance Manager, Finance Service
Mr A Yates, Environmental Health Manager, Community Services
Ms J Douglas, Care and Learning Alliance (Third Sector)
Ms S Blyth, Highland Parent Council Partnership
Mrs D Budge, Tenant Representative
Mrs M MacKay, Tenant Representative
Miss J Maclennan, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Miss M Murray, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
 
Also in attendance:
 
Mr I Chisholm, Rugby Development Officer, Highland Rugby Club
Ms A Downie, Head Teacher, Cauldeen Primary School
Ms C Farrell, Depute Rector, Tain Royal Academy
Head Teachers from the Change Team
 
An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council.  All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee.
 
Mr J Finlayson in the Chair
 
Business
 
1. Apologies for Absence
    Leisgeulan
 
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mrs G Campbell-Sinclair, Mr D Mackay, Mr W MacKay, Mr R MacWilliam and The Very Rev S Murray.
 
2. Declarations of Interest
    Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt
 
The Committee NOTED the following declarations of interest:-
 
Item 5 – Mr A Christie (non-financial)
Item 7– Mr A Christie (financial)
Item 9 - Mr A Christie (financial)
 
3. Good News/Outstanding Achievements
    Naidheachdan Matha/Coileanaidhean Air Leth
 
There had been tabled a list of good news and outstanding achievements by people and groups.
 
The Chair having commended the range of achievements throughout Highland, the Committee NOTED the good news and outstanding achievements.
 
4. Presentation: Highland Rugby Club
    Taisbeanadh: Club Rugbaidh na Gàidhealtachd
 
Iain Chisholm, Rugby Development Officer at the Highland Rugby Club, gave a presentation on the range of work undertaken by the Club in support of Care Experienced Young People and other vulnerable young people. Key issues covered included health and wellbeing, mental health, employability, education and current initiatives in schools and communities.
 
During discussion, the following issues were raised:
 
• the usefulness of rugby and other sports training for various areas of life was emphasised, including teamwork, leadership, resilience, discipline and a sense of belonging. Playing sport formally and informally could help mental health and socialisation in a world where many young people were isolated, especially care-experienced young people, and tended to spend too much time in front of a screen;
• the benefits of rugby sevens were outlined, as was the importance of being able to play locally, with some of the challenges around transporting players to away-games being explained; and
• the Rugby Club would be invited back to discuss initiatives and future funding sources informally with Members, with suggestions including the Charleston Community Foundation.
 
The Committee NOTED the presentation.
 
5. Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Non-HRA Budget Monitoring Statement to 30 September 2019
    Aithris Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais agus Neo-thaigheadais gu 30 Sultain 2019
 
Declaration of Interest: Mr A Christie declared a non-financial interest in this item as General Manager of Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/61/19 dated 1 October 2019 by the Interim Chief Officer Resources (Community Services).
 
During discussion, the following issues were raised:-
 
• an explanation was sought, and provided, on the underspend on homelessness, which related to challenges budgeting for unknowns such as turnover, voids, furnishing and repairs and which might be resolved as the year progressed;
• the projected overspend of £200k against Loan Charge estimates had been the subject of a Members’ seminar the previous day and related partly to the reduction in capital receipts as a result of Right to Buy sales, which had made the forecasting process more complex. A future report on the Loan Charge situation was planned and the presentation from the seminar would be circulated;
• it was clarified that bracketed figures generally represented good news, and an explanation was provided on expenditure on rent voids;
• in relation to savings from vacancy management, assurance was sought on the impact of lower levels of staffing on service delivery, with recent higher than normal staff turnover in the Housing team now being recruited. In relation to performance, during times of pressure, priority was given to the key indictors listed in the report;
• local performance issues in relation to void management would be covered in local Area Committee reports and could be discussed with local Members;
• information was sought, and provided, on support provided to tenants who had to move house for personal reasons, for example relationship breakup, and the standards for temporary accommodation. Individual cases should be discussed with the relevant Housing Management Officer in the first instance;
• reference was made to the good news contained in the report and, in relation to a query about the level of detail provided, it was explained that this was a budget monitoring report and further detail on performance would be included in the quarterly performance report. Further discussion could be held outwith the meeting on the frequency of performance reporting on particular issues; and
• information was sought, and provided, on the timing of the report and which figures were actual and which were estimates.
 
The Committee APPROVED the budget position on the Housing Revenue Account and Non-Housing Revenue Account.
 
6. Annual Assurance Statement to the Scottish Housing Regulator
    Aithris Bharantais Bhliadhnail do Riaghladair Taigheadais na h-Alba
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/62/19 dated 30 September 2019 by the Interim Chief Officer Resources (Community Services).
 
The Committee APPROVED the Annual Assurance Statement 2019/20 at Appendix 1 of the report.
 
7. Care and Learning Revenue Budget Monitoring Quarter 2 2019/20
    Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach Cùraim agus Ionnsachaidh airson Cairteil 2 2019/20
 
Declaration of Interest: Mr A Christie declared a financial interest in this item as a Non-Executive Director of NHS Highland but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/63/19 dated 30 September 2019 by the Chief Executive.
 
During discussion, the following issues were raised:-
 
• Care and Learning officers were commended for the significant amount of work that had gone into addressing the budget position in challenging circumstances and in a period of great change.  Thanks were also expressed to the Chief Executive for her work, particularly her support of the Corporate Parenting Board;
• there currently appeared to be a significant budgetary risk in relation to Commissioned Children’s Services.  However, the projected year end variance was zero and information was sought on how that would be achieved;
• Elected Members could not monitor, challenge and change direction if they did not know whether projections had been met until the end of the financial year.  In that regard, an update was sought in relation to the commitment by the Chief Executive, at the last budget meeting, that accrual accounting would be introduced with real time budget information being available to Members.  The Chief Executive explained that work was underway in terms of realigning all Council budgets to a new model based on that of another Council in Scotland.  Staff had completed learning visits and training had commenced.  However, it was a significant piece of work that would take in the region of two years to complete.  The goal was that Members would have transparent open access to accounting all year round, and she undertook to request a Members’ Briefing to provide detail in that regard and on the training that was taking place;
• concern having been expressed regarding the unachieved savings in respect of the Care and Learning management restructure, the Chief Executive explained that an update on progress with the Council restructure, including the associated savings, would be presented to the full Council on 31 October 2019.  She emphasised the importance of engagement with staff and trade unions throughout the re-structure process and commended the work of officers in that regard;
• further information was sought, and provided, on the review of special school budgets; the continuing underspend on family teams; how the costs associated with transporting Looked After and Accommodated Children to school were being reduced; and, in relation to Additional Support Needs (ASN), the steps being taken to address the underlying historic pressures referred to in the report;
• a plea was made for careful risk assessment in respect of vacancies resulting in an underspend on children’s services; 
• it was important to acknowledge that recruitment challenges could lead to pressures in terms of service delivery; and
• on the point being raised, it was confirmed that a report on the review of Fostering and Adoptions fees/allowances would be presented to the full Council on 31 October 2019.
 
The following issues were raised in relation to the Placement Services Change Programme:-
 
• the progress that had been made was welcomed and Members commended the officers involved;
• some Members, whilst welcoming the savings that had been achieved, questioned whether returning a child in a stable out of authority placement to Highland was in the best interests of the child, and information was sought on how many of the 42 children returned to date had been in such placements and the rationale behind their return.  Similarly, concern was expressed regarding children in specialist provision such as specialist autism education being returned to Highland when there was no equivalent provision locally, and information was sought on how many children in such placements had been returned.  In response, a detailed explanation was provided of the individual, child-centred approach being taken to returning young people to Highland, during which it was emphasised that a permanent placement would not be disrupted unless the child indicated that they wanted to return to Highland.  The Chief Executive added that not only was retaining children in Highland better in financial terms, it was better in terms of the children’s wellbeing.  Being taken out of their community and leaving family and friends was one of the greatest traumas a child could experience, and the Council had to have the ambition that it would not happen to any of Highland’s children in the future.  She referred to areas elsewhere in the UK where that ambition had been achieved, and to a forthcoming good practice visit, and she invited the Strategic Chair, Councillor Munro, to consider how best to share the learning in that regard;
• the need for Members to trust, respect and support officers in terms of their professional judgement was emphasised;
• the majority of Looked After Children, even those who had been in care for a long time, returned to their families.  One of the most basic human instincts was to go home and seek a sense of belonging, and the best thing that could be done with a finite budget was to work with families and communities to retain young people in Highland; and
• the officers involved in the Programme were enthusiastic as they could see that they were making a difference to young people’s lives, and Members were encouraged to speak to them in that regard.
 
The Committee otherwise NOTED:-
 
i.  the revenue budget outturn forecast for the year; and
ii. the actions being taken to address the budget position in the current year.
 
8. Air Quality and Highland Schools
   Càileachd Èadhair agus Sgoiltean na Gàidhealtachd
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/64/19 dated 24 September 2019 by the Interim Chief Officer Resources (Community Services).
 
During discussion, the following issues were raised:-
 
• concern was expressed that the number of road safety posts to cover the Highlands had reduced from six to two, and information was sought on what was being done to ensure that the team was adequately resourced.  The Environmental Health Manager undertook to ask the Road Safety Team Manager to respond to Councillor Graham in that regard;
• there was a drop off/pick up culture in Highland, particularly at schools;
• Highland was fortunate to have relatively good air quality/low pollution, and work continuously took place in terms of improving road safety.  However, there was no room for complacency, and some of the “hot spots” were near schools;
• at present, much of what the Council did was reactive to accommodate and contain cars.  Thinking ahead, it was necessary to seek to promote changes in behaviour;
• it was questioned whether enough was being done to give parents and pupils the opportunity to travel by means other than car.  For example, was enough being done to form partnerships with public transport providers and discuss common objectives?  It would be helpful to discuss matters such as the use of small flexible buses, electric vehicles, routes and times.  It was added that the issues associated with air pollution did not only apply to schools, hospitals being cited as another example;
• in relation to the recommendation that a pilot project on air quality improvement be developed with a willing and appropriate school, it was proposed that Dingwall Primary School be considered.  Local Members, residents, the Parent Council and the Head Teacher had worked together over a number of years to try to reduce idling at the school, utilising schemes such as Safer Routes to School and Park Smart as well as carrying out leafleting and highlighting the issue in the school newsletter.  The Chair commented that there would be many other schools, not only in urban areas, in a similar position and suggested that proposals be emailed to the Environmental Health Manager in the first instance;
• in relation to vehicle idling offences, some Members suggested that more enforcement was needed.  Other Members commented that highlighting the possibility of enforcement could be enough of a deterrent;
• it was necessary to encourage people to walk, cycle or choose alternative forms of transport to the car;
• many parents wanted to encourage their children to cycle to school but there were issues such as a lack of cycle paths, traffic congestion, and the need for road safety education;
• concern was expressed regarding traffic congestion at Millburn Academy and the surrounding area, which had led to the use of “rat runs” and alarm amongst residents in terms of the number of near misses;
• Glasgow City Council had introduced car free zones outside primary schools and it was suggested that the Council should consider doing the same;
• more parents implementing “walking bus” systems whereby they shared responsibility for walking a group of children to school would help to reduce traffic congestion at the school gate;
• the need to involve young people in the discussions and to have a more strategic approach was emphasised;
• as well as schools, parents and communities had a responsibility in terms of how to support young people to get to school safely and engage with the climate change agenda; and
• an example was cited of two buses being used to transport seven children on the same road to school and it was emphasised that, to reduce the Council’s carbon footprint, it was necessary to rationalise school transport.  The Chair confirmed that work was underway in that regard.
 
The Environmental Health Manager having responded to the issues raised, the Committee:-
 
i.  NOTED the continued promotion of the resources available to schools to enable Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets projects;
ii. NOTED that Environmental Health would further promote awareness of measures that could be taken by the public and businesses to improve air quality and, where resources permitted, undertake projects aimed at reducing idling vehicles at schools; and
iii.AGREED to Road Safety and Environmental Health developing a pilot project on air quality improvement with a willing and appropriate school. 
 
9. Education Transformation Update
    Cunntas às Ùr mu Chruth-atharrachadh Foghlaim
 
Declaration of Interest: Mr A Christie declared a financial interest in this item as a Non-Executive Director of NHS Highland but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/65/19 dated 19 September 2019 by the Chief Executive.
 
The report introduced a presentation by the Change Team, during which detailed information was provided on the progress made in respect of the six pillars of the transformation programme, namely, Promoting Positive Relationships; Inclusion, Rights and Equalities, ASN; Safeguarding, Care and Wellbeing; Pedagogy and Development; Leadership of Change; and Supporting Processes.
 
During discussion, the following issues were raised:-
 
• given the level of information in the presentation, it was suggested that a detailed report should have been presented;
• in relation to Pillar 1, as well as the positive information presented it would have been helpful to see some of the challenges and concerns raised, and how they might be mitigated;
• in relation to Pillar 2 and the statement that ASN reductions had led to increased teacher creativity and inclusion supporting pupils with lower levels, creativity was sometimes by necessity and this could lead to staff feeling very stretched;
• with regard to the ASN consultation, it was necessary to be completely open and transparent and provide detailed information on the concerns and challenges raised and how it was proposed to mitigate them;
• it would have been helpful to circulate the presentation in advance of the meeting to allow Members time to consider comments and questions;
• communities saw the redesign of ASN provision as a cut and the reality was that there would be less money in the system than there had been previously;
• education within the Council was in a period of transition, which could lead to uncertainty, and a timeline was sought as to when the redesign was going to stabilise;
• the anxiety in relation to ASN and the extra strain on teachers identified in the presentation chimed with the feedback Members were receiving from parents, teachers and Head Teachers;
• reference was made to the chronic staff shortages in Caithness and the range of duties being undertaken by Head Teachers, including janitorial tasks, teaching classes and organising what were often emotional meetings.  Concern was expressed that schools were operating on the good will of teachers, and it was essential to consider the culture they were having to work in;
• in relation to the chart indicating that approximately 50% of parents identified their child as having ASN, whilst not every case might meet the official criteria there was still a need to be addressed;
• a plea was made for more clarity in terms of the proposals for ASN provision and how they would impact on pupils;
• information was sought on how local Members could be included in ASN consultation meetings and how they were being promoted.  It was essential to ensure that the meetings were well advertised and that pupils had the right support to feed in to the consultation process and make their voices heard;
• improving information flow was key in terms of addressing concerns;
• whilst understanding some Members’ keenness to accelerate the process, other Members emphasised that it was going to take time to make the desired seismic improvements in children’s education.  It was necessary to plan and test interventions carefully, and to ensure that parents and teachers were on board.  There was a lot to do and it was necessary to learn from the experience, knowledge and expertise of the Change Team.  The presentation was an excellent starting point and the detailed report to the December Committee could build upon it;
• staff were best placed to say what would work in their area and it was important that their suggestions as to how best to use the finite ASN budget available were included in the forthcoming report and taken on board;
• in relation to Pillar 6 and the need to reduce workload and bureaucracy for senior leaders, many of the issues had been raised repeatedly by Head Teachers over a number of years and it was essential that action was taken;
• the Change Team was commended for the significant amount of work that had been done to date.  In particular, Members welcomed the introduction of peer support, the renewed focus on succession planning and the work that had been done in terms of identifying and learning from good practice elsewhere in Scotland.  It was added that succession planning ought to be from Principal Teacher level upwards as part of a “grow your own” approach;
• ASN staff were extremely anxious about the future and reference was made to reports from some staff that it had been days to the end of term before they found out their positions were secure;
• reference was made to a parents’ meeting at which the theme had been one of despair and impotency in the face of the financial situation.  Of particular concern was the level of criticism of the Child’s Plan, which parents felt was more about rhetoric than reality; 
• with regard to ASN support, historically there had been an emphasis on differentiated learning in the mainstream classroom and information was sought, and provided, on whether that was still the case and, if not, whether it could be made more of a focus;
• it was necessary to keep reiterating that teachers, as well as children, were at the centre of the transformation programme.  Given the shortage of teaching staff, it was important to promote the message that the Council was supporting teachers and focussing on succession planning;
• concern was expressed that misleading stories in the press could add to constituents’ concerns;
• the work that was taking place in terms of benchmarking against the best performing local authorities was welcomed;
• a request was made for a report re-stating the budget decisions that had been made in February and outlining the potential impact in the coming year.  In response, the Chief Executive explained that all budget setting processes included looking at historic spend and budget proposals already agreed as well as new proposals and innovations.  There would be a full budget engagement process and a timeline would be shared with Members in the near future; and
• the Head Teachers on the Change Team would not have put themselves forward for the role if they did not think the transformation programme was going to make a difference for all teachers and improve education in Highland.  Feedback from teaching staff was that they felt they were being listened to by people who understood their job and how they could work together to make improvements.
 
In responding to the issues raised, the Chair confirmed that, as indicated in the report, a detailed report would be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.  The staff engagement that was taking place was a positive step and areas for improvement were being identified, as well as areas where additional resource was potentially required.  However, it was important to remember that resource did not always equate to additional funding and that it could often be training or more cooperative working.  He commended the Change Team for their comprehensive, open and transparent approach, and emphasised that the aim of the transformation programme was to put children at the centre and improve not just attainment but life experiences.  In relation to ASN, the points in relation to differentiation were well made.  There were different ways of meeting need and it was suggested that a combination of resource, training and differentiation was required.
 
He went on to highlight that this was James Vance’s last meeting as Interim Head of Education before he returned to his substantive post as Rector of Culloden Academy.  He thanked James for his support over the last year, and the calm and measured manner in which he had responded to Members’ queries.
 
Nicky Grant, currently Head Teacher of Alness Academy, would take over as Interim Head of Education after the October break and he welcomed her to her first meeting of the Committee.
 
Finally, he thanked Members for the engaging, respectful and supportive way in which the business of the Committee was carried out.
 
Thereafter, the Committee:-
 
i.  NOTED the progress and plans being put in place to deliver better outcomes for young people; and
ii. AGREED that a detailed report be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.
 
In terms of Standing Order 9, the Committee AGREED to consider item 11 at this stage.
 
11. Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) Update
     Cunntas às Ùr mu Mhaoin Cheartais Sgoilearan
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/67/19 dated 26 September 2019 by the Chief Executive.
 
The report introduced a presentation by representatives of Cauldeen Primary School and Tain Royal Academy demonstrating how they had used their PEF funding to make a difference.  This set out the background to PEF funding, the experiences of both schools and how it had helped to close the attainment gap, improve attendance and lead to better health and wellbeing outcomes.
 
During discussion, the following issues were considered:
 
• having been involved with schools which had been granted PEF funding, Members were able to evidence the improvements which had been generated.  Previously, some funding had been used at Tain Royal Academy to employ an Attendance Officer but, when funding had come to an end, attendance had fallen away.  PEF funding now supported this post again and attendance had again increased;
• because of what had began at Tain Royal Academy in supporting pupils’ Mental Health and Wellbeing, many Community Councils in the area now, in recognising that communities themselves had a role to play, had this as a standing item on their agendas;
• the funding additionality gave Head Teachers flexibility and autonomy and this was to be welcomed;
• the A3 diagram tabled at the meeting showing the process and the advantages was welcomed as Members could use it to explain PEF to others;
• it would be useful to benchmark the impact of PEF to demonstrate the overall benefit to an area from what was, overall, a relatively modest amount of funding;
• it was hoped funding for the Butterfly Room at Cauldeen Primary, aimed at supporting pupils with Additional Support Needs, would continue;
• ideally the Fresh Start initiative adopted at Tain Royal Academy to help pupils with dyslexia could be shared with other schools;
• the work undertaken by Primary Mental Health Workers in the Black Isle was commended and it was hoped this could be rolled out elsewhere to ensure limited resources could work better;
• the creativity of Head Teachers was applauded and the presentations had given Members an insight to the high quality of work taking place; and
• it was disappointing not all schools received PEF funding and calls were made to expand the criteria to include such factors as rurality to allow a greater distribution of funding.
 
The Committee:-
 
i.    NOTED the changing pattern of expenditure;
ii.   NOTED the infrastructure supporting this;
iii.  NOTED the examples of effective use of resources;
iv.  AGREED that the possibility of rolling out successful initiatives such as Fresh Start to other schools be explored;
v.   AGREED that a report on the best practice being undertaken by Primary Mental Health Workers be presented to the next meeting of the Committee; and
vi.  AGREED that information on the impact of PEF funding on attainment be aggregated and shared with Members.
 
10. School Attainment Review Processes
      Pròiseasan Ath-sgrùdaidh Coileanadh Sgoile
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/66/19 dated 19 September 2019 by the Chief Executive.
 
The report introduced a presentation by the Interim Head of Education which provided an overview of the Scottish Government database (Insight) that secondary schools used to carry out detailed analysis of exam results. 
 
In discussion of how to use the information provided by Insight, suggestions were made that this would be best achieved at either Ward or at school catchment level but this could be further explored at the Seminar.
 
The Committee:-
 
i.   NOTED the work done by schools to analyse and plan improvement around their exam results;
ii.  NOTED the range and type of additional attainment information available from Insight; and
iii. AGREED to a seminar at which agreement could be reached about how best to use the information available from Insight to allow Members to carry out their scrutiny function. 
 
12.  Deferred and Early Entry to School
       Inntrigeadh Dàilichte agus Tràth dhan Sgoil
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/68/19 dated 20 September 2019 by the Chief Executive.
 
The Scottish Government, in recognising the work of the Give Them Time Campaign, had announced that it was to engage further with local authorities on the implementation of Deferred and Early Entry to School arrangements.  Members welcomed this move by the Scottish Government as many felt there was little advantage to sending a child to school early but with the question still remaining if additional funding would be provided for an extra year of nursery.
 
Accordingly, the Committee AGREED to defer consideration of this item.
 
13. Highland Council School Admissions Policy
      Poileasaidh Inntrigeadh Sgoile Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/69/19 dated 13 September 2019 by the Chief Executive.
 
During discussion, the following issues were considered:
 
• in some instances, where there was insufficient space to accommodate a pupil at their local school, the pupil was transported to an alternative school until space became available.  In a small number of instances pupils sometimes wished to remain at this school and it was hoped that the continued provision of transport could be considered on a child-by-child basis; and
• one of the reasons a Placing Request could be refused was if placing a child in the school would result in the need for an additional class of the employment of an additional teacher at a future stage of the child’s education in primary school even if pupil numbers remained constant.  Whilst acknowledging that the long term impact needed to be taken into account it was suggested that this wording required to be refined.
 
The Committee:-
 
i.  APPROVED the Policy at Appendix A of the report; and
ii. NOTED the content of the updated leaflet for parents at Appendix B of the report.
 
14. Care and Learning Capital - Early Learning and Childcare Programme
      Calpa a’ Chùraim agus an Ionnsachaidh – Prògram Tràth-ionnsachaidh agus Cùraim-chloinne
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/70/19 dated 1 October 2019 by the Chief Executive.
 
In welcoming the comprehensive and regular reporting of progress it was still important to ensure that programmed capital works remained on track with reporting to Members at Ward level.  Although not part of this specific project, information was sought, and provided, as to the current timescale for the commencement of the St Clements School consultation.
 
The Committee NOTED:-
 
i.  the current status of the individual projects in the capital programme; and
ii. the approach that had been adopted in order to identify and manage the risks associated with those projects that had been classed as high priority and/or high-risk in terms of being able to deliver the expanded Early Learning and Childcare service from August 2020 onwards.
 
15. Regional Improvement Collaborative Improvement Plan
      Plana Leasachadh Co-obrachail Leasachadh Roinneil
 
There had been circulated Report No CLH/71/19 dated 18 September 2019 by the Chief Executive.
 
Whilst the formation of Improvement Plans was welcomed, what was of paramount importance was the effect it would have in schools and classrooms.  In this regard the Chairman assured Members that Phase 3 of the Improvement Plan was more focused and resourced.
 
The Committee:-
 
i.  NOTED the progress made in the Phase 2 Plan; and
ii. AGREED to endorse the Northern Alliance Phase 3 Regional Improvement Plan.
 
16. Minutes
     Geàrr-chunntas
 
The Committee NOTED the following Minutes:-
 
i.   Highland Violence Against Women Partnership Group – 12 February 2019;
ii.  Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 4 June 2019; and
iii. Highland Community Justice Partnership – 12 June 2019.
 
The meeting concluded at 3.15 pm