Committees

A meeting of the Adult and Children’s Services Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 15 January 2014 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

Michelle Morris
Depute Chief Executive

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. Presentation: Director of Public Health’s Annual Report and
    Lifestyle Survey
    Taisbeanadh: Aithisg Bhliadhnail agus Suirbhidh Dòigh-beatha
    Stiùiriche Slàinte a’ Phobaill

The Director of Public Health, NHS Highland, will undertake a presentation on her Annual Report 2013 and the Highland Lifestyle Survey.

The Annual Report by the Director of Public Health is circulated separately as Booklet A.

In addition, there is circulated joint Report No ACS-01-14 (64kb pdf) by the Directors of Education, Culture and Sport and Health and Social Care which explains that the Highland Lifestyle Survey has been carried out with P7, S2 and S4 pupils in 2009, 2011 and 2013.  The report summarises the key findings of the 2013 survey and longitudinal comparison across all three surveys.  It also contains proposals for future surveys.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the interim findings of the 2013 Highland Lifestyle Survey;
ii.  note that the survey results will be subject to further scrutiny;
iii. agree that a multi-agency officer working group be introduced in early 2014
    to take forward a review of the process, questions and resources required
    to improve future Highland Lifestyle Surveys; and
iv. agree that the next Highland Lifestyle Survey be carried out in 2015.

4. Revenue Budget 2013/14 – Monitoring
    Buidseat Teachd-a-steach 2013/14 – Sgrùdadh

i. Education, Culture and Sport
   Foghlam, Cultar agus Spòrs

There is circulated Report No ACS-02-14 (84kb pdf) dated 3 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which sets out the Revenue Budget monitoring position for the eight months to 30 November 2013 and the year-end outlook position.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  approve the monitoring statement and the current year-end position;
ii.  note the commitment to identify further compensatory savings in order to
    further improve upon the reported position;
iii. note the commitment to identify measures on a collaborative basis that will
    contribute towards the achievement of a balanced budget going forward
    into financial year 2014/15; and
iv. note the progress being made with the achievement of budget savings in
    the current financial year.

ii. Health and Social Care
    Slàinte agus Cùram Sòisealta

There is circulated Report No ACS-03-14 (208kb pdf) dated 27 December 2013 by the Director of Health and Social Care which sets out the revenue monitoring statement for the eight months to 30 November 2013.

The Committee is invited to approve the budget monitoring statement.

5. Capital Expenditure 2013/14
    Caiteachas Calpa 2013/14 -  Sgrùdadh

There is circulated joint Report No ACS-04-14 (189kb pdf) dated 7 January 2014 by the Directors of Education, Culture and Sport and Health and Social Care which updates Members on progress to date with the Education Culture & Sport (ECS) and Health and Social Care (HSC) Capital programmes and provides monitoring reports on expenditure as at 30 November 2013 along with an update on work being undertaken on fire safety and other health and safety Capital works within the HSC Programme and the major projects underway within the ECS Programme.

In addition, the report outlines some of the issues relating to future capital investment priorities and seeks approval to increase the budget for the new Portree Gaelic Primary School.  It also seeks approval to draw down the final tranche of funding to complete the project that will result in each school in Highland having a wireless-enabled environment which will result in a more flexible approach to the use of mobile ICT devices to supplement and enhance curriculum delivery.

The report also provides an update on the Sustainable School Estate Review, including indicative dates of when related reports will be brought to this Committee during 2014.  Finally there is an update on ongoing improvement measures in relation to the management of the ECS estate including residential properties.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the status of the 2013/14 HSC capital programme at the end of
    November 2013 as detailed in Section 2 and Appendix 1 of the report;
ii.  note the status of the 2013/14 ECS capital programme at the end of
    November 2013 and the ECS major capital projects all as detailed in Section
    3, Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 of the report;
iii.  note the issues surrounding future ECS capital investment priorities and the
    additional capital grant funding related to the Children and Young People Bill
    as detailed in Section 4 of the report;
iv. agree the amendments to existing budget allocations as detailed in Section
    5 of the report;
v. note the status of the Sustainable School Estate Review as detailed in
    Section 6 of the report;
vi. note the progress in developing Ward Reports on ECS Estates issues and
    agree the staffing proposals outlined in Section 7 of the report; and
vii. note the measures underway in relation to the management of ECS
    residential properties as detailed in Section 8 of the report.

5a. Capital Programme - Floral Hall, Inverness

      Prògram Calpa – Talla nam Flùr, Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No Item 5a ACS-15-14 (475kb) dated 13 January 2014 which seeks approval to draw down £39K of funding from the Community and Leisure Facilities generic budget heading as a contribution towards a £111K investment to re-brand and re-launch facilities at the Floral Hall, Inverness.

The Committee is invited to agree that £39K be drawn down from the Community and Leisure Facilities generic budget heading as a contribution towards an overall £111K investment package to re-brand and re-launch Inverness Floral Hall as “Inverness Botanic Gardens”.

6. Integrated Family Teams in Children’s Services
    Sgiobaidhean Teaghlaich Amalaichte ann an Seirbheisean Chloinne

There is circulated Report No ACS-05-14 (278kb pdf) dated 6 January 2014 by the Director of Health and Social Care which confirms the recommendations for enhanced early years services as part of the Council’s commitment to preventative spend and the implementation of Integrated Family Teams.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i. to support the proposals for the enhancement of Early Years services and
   the establishment of Family Teams, which will require to be presented to
   the Finance, Housing and Resources Committee; and
ii. that the process of implementation should involve minimal disruption to
   service delivery and include a partnership arrangement with a third sector
   organisation.

7. Performance Report – Children’s Services
    Aithisg Dèanadais – Seirbheisean Chloinne

There is circulated Report No ACS-06-14 (273kb pdf) dated 7 January 2014 by the Director of Health and Social Care which provides an update on the performance framework for Children’s Services.

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the performance information.

8. Highland Parenting Framework
    Frèam Pàrantachd na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No ACS-07-14 (421kb pdf) dated 27 December 2013 by the Director of Health and Social Care which seeks approval for the Highland Parent Support Framework.

The Committee is invited to approve the Highland Parent Support Framework.

9. Implementation of 600 hours Early Learning and Childcare
    Buileachadh de 600 uair a thìde Ionnsachadh Tràth is Cùram-
    chloinne

There is circulated joint Report No ACS-08-14 (28kb pdf) dated 30 December 2013 by the Directors of Education, Culture and Sport and Health and Social Care which seeks to update Members on the progress, since the November 2013 Committee, to meet the requirement to deliver 600 hours of funded early learning and childcare across Highland from August 2014.

The Committee is invited to note the progress being made with regard to the delivery of 600 hours Early Learning and Childcare by August 2014 and that a recommendation for implementation will be presented to the February Committee.

10. Bridge to Employment
      Drochaid gu Cosnadh

There is circulated Report No ACS-09-14 (70kb pdf) dated 7 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which explains that Bridge to Employment (BtE) has been run successfully for pupils in S4-S6 in a small number of schools within travelling distance of Inverness, largely on an extra-curricular basis, over the last four and a half years.  The core aims of the Highland Model are to increase the number of pupils who enrol in Further or Higher Education and, secondly, the number of pupils pursuing careers in Health, or in Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths.  It is particularly aimed at young people with potential who need that little bit of extra support to achieve.  LifeScan Scotland has sought to engage a small number of other businesses to lead BtE programmes across a wider geographical area of Highland.  The Highland Council is aiming to extend the scheme with those partners, one of whom would be LifeScan itself, by taking on a co-ordinating role.

The Committee is invited to note the development of the Bridge to Employment model in secondary schools in Highland as one strand of developing employability skills in partnership with the business and Higher Education sectors.

11. Work Experience
      Eòlas Obrach

There is circulated Report No ACS-10-14 (160kb pdf) dated 7 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which sets out a revised work experience policy document that will meet the requirements of Curriculum for Excellence.

The Committee is invited to agree the work experience policy.

12. Professional Update for Teachers
      Fios Às Ùr Proifeiseanta Do Luchd-teagaisg

There is circulated Report No ACS-11-14 (99kb pdf) dated 3 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provides an update on progress with the implementation of Professional Update, the new scheme of re-accreditation for teachers registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. the successful General Teaching Council for Scotland validation of Professional
   Update for Highland Council; and
ii. the continued implications for Highland Council.

13. 1+2 Languages – Update
      1+2 Cànain – Aithisg Adhartais

There is circulated Report No ACS-12-14 (147kb pdf) dated 7 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provides an update on the National and Highland progress being made in moving forward with the 1+2 Languages development.

The Committee is invited to note the progress in this area.

14. Management Action Plans – Internal Audit Reports on Curriculum
       – Internet Use and Schools – Financial Procedures
      Planaichean-gnìomha Rianachd – Aithisgean In-sgrùdaidh mun
      Churraicealam – Cleachdadh Eadar-lìn agus Sgoiltean – Modhan
      Ionmhasail

There is circulated Report No ACS-13-14 (248kb pdf) dated 6 January 2014 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provides an overview of the Internal Audit reports relating to Education, Culture and Sport that were considered by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee in Autumn 2013 and progress with the related management actions that were agreed at that Committee.

The Committee is invited to note the management actions taken to address the issues identified in the Internal Audit reports.

15. Complaints Review Committee Outcome
      Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh Ghearainean

There is circulated joint Report No ACS-14-14 (17kb pdf) dated 16 December 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive and the Director of Health and Social Care which sets out the findings and recommendations following a Complaints Review Committee held on 20 August 2013.  The report also provides an overview of the complaints process and highlights the requirement for decisions of the Complaints Review Committee to be reported to the Adult and Children’s Services Committee.

The Committee is invited to note that the Complaints Review Committee met to consider the case, the findings and the recommendation.

16. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

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

i.  Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group of 22 August 2013
(48kb pdf);
ii.  Highland Strategic Commissioning Group of HSCG Minutes 23 August 2013
(46kb pdf);
iii. Annual General Meeting of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching
    Staff of 8 November 2013 (14kb pdf);
iv. Ordinary Meeting of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff of
8 November 2013 (28kb pdf);
v. Criminal Justice Sub-Committee of 12 November 2013 (24kb pdf);
vi. Culture and Leisure Contracts Scrutiny Sub-Committee of 21 November
    2013 (29kb pdf); and
vii. Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee of 28 November 
    2013 (42kb pdf).