Page: 6 3. MINUTE OF MEETING OF THE EDUCATION AND CHILDREN S SERVICES COMMITTEE OF 1 FEBRUARY, 2018 On consideration of the circulated Minute of Meeti

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1 Page: 5 ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL EDUCATION AND CHILDREN S SERVICES COMMITTEE WOODHILL HOUSE, ABERDEEN, 22 MARCH, 2018 Present: Apologies: Officers: Councillor G L Owen (Chair), Dr E Anderson, Mr D Bilsland, Ms A Guy, Mrs R Paterson, and Councillors R E Bruce, C C Buchan, M A Buchan, S A Dickinson, A E M Evison, M A Ford, P E Gibb (as substitute for Councillor M F Ingleby), V G Harper, F C P Hood (as substitute for Councillor A M Simpson), A P Kille (as substitute for Councillor M A Findlater), C R McKail, J M Whyte and L G L Wilson. Councillors M A Findlater, M F Ingleby and A M Simpson. Director of Education and Children s Services, Head of Children s Services, Head of Lifelong Learning and Leisure, Head of Primary Education and Curriculum Development, Head of Resources and Performance, Head of Secondary Education and Additional Support, Corporate Finance Manager, Lead Officer (Primary Education), Principal Solicitor (Democratic Services) and Senior Committee Officer (Allan Bell). 1. SEDERUNT AND DECLARATION OF MEMBERS INTERESTS No interests were declared by any member of the Committee, in terms of the Councillors Code of Conduct. 2A. PUBLIC SECTOR EQUALITY DUTY In taking decisions on the undernoted items of business, the Committee agreed, in terms of Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010:- (1) to have due regard to the need to:- (a) (b) (c) eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it, and (2) to consider, where an equality impact assessment has been provided, its contents and take those into consideration when reaching a decision. 2B. EXEMPT INFORMATION The Committee agreed, in terms of Section 50A (4) and (5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of Item 14 below so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in paragraph 8 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

2 Page: 6 3. MINUTE OF MEETING OF THE EDUCATION AND CHILDREN S SERVICES COMMITTEE OF 1 FEBRUARY, 2018 On consideration of the circulated Minute of Meeting of the Education and Children s Services Committee of 1 February, 2018, members commented on a number of matters, including school transport, specialist teachers in primary schools and the circulation to all Committee members of information requested by individual councillors, after which the Minute was approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 4. ABERDEENSHIRE YOUNG CARER STRATEGY Consideration was given to a circulated report dated 26 February, 2018, by the Director of Education and Children s Services (1) which explained the background to the development of the Aberdeenshire Young Carer Strategy, as a requirement of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, (2) which advised that the Strategy had been developed with input from young carers and modified following consultation with key partners in the third sector, (3) which identified the financial implications of developing the Strategy and (4) to which was appended a copy of the Strategy for the period between 2018 and Thereafter, having noted comments from elected members in respect of issues impacting on young carers in rural locations, the competing interests of different care groups, respite care, partnership working, the transition to adult caring and further education opportunities for young carers, the Committee:- (1) agreed to endorse the Aberdeenshire Young Carer Strategy , and (2) instructed officers to provide an update to members in twelve months time, through a Committee report or an information bulletin. 5. LITERACY STRATEGY Consideration was given to a circulated report dated 26 January, 2018, by the Director of Education and Children s Services (1) which explained that a strategy had been devised by the Council to develop good literacy skills across the whole spectrum of learners, from early years to adults and (2) to which were appended a copy of the Aberdeenshire Literacy Strategy document, together with comments submitted thereon by each of the Council s six area committees. After detailed consideration, the Committee:- (1) noted members comments regarding the National Performance Framework, statistical evidence of literacy levels, literacy issues arising in different parts of Aberdeenshire, early years and adult literacy, and parental involvement in literacy issues, (2) instructed officers to revise the Strategy document, in accordance with comments made at the Education and Children s Services Committee and at area committees, and (3) instructed officers to submit a report to the meeting of the Committee in August, 2018, together with the revised Strategy and action plan. 6. COMMITTEE REVIEW PROCESS PRIMARY SCHOOLS With reference to the Minutes of Meetings of (1) the Audit Committee of 21 September, 2017 (Item 5), when issues had been raised around non-compliance with procurement

3 Page: 7 systems and processes in schools and (2) the Education and Children s Services Committee of 7 December, 2017 (Item 5), when it had been agreed to conduct a Committee Review Process in respect of the matter, there was circulated a report dated 12 February, 2018, by the Director of Education and Children s Services, which (1) detailed the support measures and documentation currently in place to support primary school head teachers in complying with Financial Regulations and (2) outlined further training arrangements to be implemented to ensure compliance with correct procurement procedures. Thereafter, the Committee:- (1) noted the support provision available to primary head teachers and administrators, through the audit compliance process, and other support mechanisms in place for staff within primary schools, (2) noted the commitment from Education and Children s Services to continue to embed training programmes on Financial Regulations and procurement processes, on an annual basis, for all head teachers and administrators, (3) noted that Education and Children s Services would review the audit compliance process to include greater involvement of head teachers line managers, particularly where specific areas for development had been identified, and (4) instructed officers to submit a report to the meeting of the Audit Committee on 24 May, 2018, in terms of the Scheme of Governance Committee Review Process, advising that the Education and Children s Services Committee was satisfied with the support mechanisms in place to support primary schools in adhering to financial and governance regulations. 7. LEARNING ESTATES STRATEGY UPDATE In the temporary absence of Councillor Owen for this item, the Committee agreed that Councillor Bruce should take the chair. Consideration was given to a circulated report dated 1 February, 2018, by the Director of Education and Children s Services (1) which outlined major projects which had been progressed within the last financial year as a consequence of the Learning Estates Strategy, (2) which highlighted the Service s priorities for 2018/2019, (3) which provided detail on Inverurie Community Campus, Peterhead Community Campus, Newmachar School, the Fraserburgh and Stonehaven schools networks, learning plazas, and early learning and childcare delivery, (4) which indicated priorities within the Lifelong Learning and Leisure Service, together with a capital project overview and projected timescales and (5) to which was appended a progress report containing detailed evaluation of the condition and suitability of all schools within the learning estate. Thereafter, the Committee:- (1) noted members comments regarding learning plazas, school rezoning, relocatable units, and the impact of housing developments, (2) approved the ongoing priorities for review in future years, as detailed within the report, and (3) instructed officers to submit further update reports on progress within the Learning Estates Strategy, as appropriate.

4 Page: 8 8. ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE IN ABERDEENSHIRE SCHOOLS 2016/17 There was circulated and noted a report dated 6 March, 2018, by the Director of Education and Children s Services, which (1) explained that the Scottish Government collected and published attendance and absence data from schools and local authorities on a biennial basis, within the categories of attendance, authorised absences, unauthorised absences and temporary exclusions, (2) provided information and analysis of the attendance and absence figures within Aberdeenshire and against the national average, in respect of primary, secondary and special schools in the academic sessions 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17, including the figures for looked after children and (3) highlighted actions taken by Education and Children s Services in response to the statistics. After consideration, the Committee agreed to congratulate pupils, parents, carers and staff on the continued high rates of attendance at schools within Aberdeenshire. 9. EDUCATION AND CHILDREN S SERVICES QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE EXCEPTION REPORTING (OCTOBER DECEMBER, 2017) With reference to the Minute of Meeting of the Committee of 23 March, 2017 (Item 11), when approval had been given to the Education and Children s Services Service Plan , there was circulated a report dated 6 February, 2018, by the Director of Education and Children s Services, which advised members of the performance of the Service against key performance measures and associated targets. Thereafter, the Committee:- (1) acknowledged the performance achieved in the quarter between October and December, 2017, as detailed within the report, (2) noted measures where performance had been below expectations during that quarter, as identified within the report, (3) noted the publication of the complete quarterly performance report on Ward Pages, and (4) instructed the Director of Education and Children s Services to continue to report, on an exception basis, quarterly in respect of performance measures against Service objectives. 10. ANALYSIS OF INITIAL SCHOOL LEAVERS DESTINATION DATA On consideration of a circulated report dated 12 February, 2018, by the Director of Education and Children s Services (1) which provided a summary and analysis of initial destinations of pupils leaving Aberdeenshire schools in session 2016/2017, (2) which offered a comparison between Aberdeenshire school leaver destinations with other authorities and nationally and (3) to which was appended a breakdown of leavers by Aberdeenshire secondary school and the employment, training or further education destination of each, the Committee noted the contents of the report, together with members comments regarding NESCOL (North-East Scotland College), Aberdeenshire early school leaver levels and the national average, and school leaver rates in different parts of the Aberdeenshire Council area.

5 Page: EQUALITIES MAINSTREAMING AND OUTCOMES UPDATE REPORT There was circulated and noted a report dated 6 February, 2018, by the Director of Business Services, which advised members of the Council s progress against the outcomes set out in the Mainstreaming and Equalities Report Thereafter, the Committee instructed officers to submit a report to a future meeting on potentially adjusting the role of pupil support assistants in order to facilitate the mainstreaming of pupils with additional support needs. 12. ABERDEENSHIRE CULTURAL STRATEGY With reference to the Minute of Meeting of Aberdeenshire Council of 8 March, 2018 (Item 8), there was circulated a report dated 8 March, 2018, by the Director of Education and Children s Services, which (1) explained the background to the creation of a Cultural Strategy for Aberdeenshire Council over the next ten years, (2) outlined the importance of cultural appreciation in a variety of contexts, including performance art, community identity, creativity, health and wellbeing, heritage, and learning and literacy, (3) highlighted the next steps for progressing the Strategy and (4) to which were appended a copy of the Strategy document itself, together with the Cultural Services action plan for 2018/2019. After detailed consideration, the Committee:- (1) noted members comments on enhancing the positivity of culture sharing, the economic value of cultural activity, creative industries, links between cultural strategic outcomes and land use planning, and the provision of museums and theatres, (2) agreed to recommend the creation of a cultural sounding board, with representatives drawn from across Aberdeenshire, in order to discuss and progress ideas about culture, and (3) agreed that members should be circulated with a note containing the detail of the various issues which had been raised at the meeting. 13. SUPPORTING CULTURE AND SPORT SERVICES With reference to the Minute of Meeting of Aberdeenshire Council of 8 March, 2018 (Item 8), there was circulated a report dated 9 March, 2018, by the Director of Education and Children s Services (1) which explained the background to the operational delivery of culture and sport services for Aberdeenshire Council, (2) which detailed proposals for the creation of a Culture and Sport Business Unit, reporting to the Director of Education and Children s Services, but with the Communities Committee having the lead role in setting the strategic direction of the Unit and providing scrutiny of the delivery of strategic priorities, (3) which proposed the creation of an Aberdeenshire Culture and Sport Sub-Committee, and (4) to which were appended a draft charter for the new Unit, together with draft terms of reference for the Culture and Sport Sub-Committee. After consideration, the Committee:- (1) noted proposals for a Culture and Sport Business Unit, including the scope of services to be included, formal governance arrangements, levels of delegated authority to officers, and reporting and monitoring, (2) agreed to forward comments for consideration by full Council in respect of the specific functions of Education and Children s Services, in support of a review of the

6 Page: 10 Business Unit after one year, recommending that libraries would be better aligned to the Education Service, querying the appropriateness of janitorial and catering services sitting within Education and Children s Services, raising the issue of the timing of the appointment of members of the proposed Culture and Sport Sub- Committee, and highlighting the need to determine a process for identifying and appointing external members of the Sub-Committee, (3) agreed to recommend to full Council that the Sub-Committee should comprise four elected members and four external members, and (4) instructed officers to compile a briefing note, containing all the comments raised at the meeting, to be made available thereafter to the Communities Committee for its reference and for inclusion within the report to full Council. Thereafter, Councillor Ford, seconded by Councillor Evison, moved that the Culture and Sport Sub-Committee should be chaired by an elected member. As an amendment, Councillor Bruce, seconded by Councillor Kille, moved that no recommendation be made at present in respect of who should chair the Sub-Committee. Members of the Committee voted as follows:- for the motion (8) Dr Anderson, Mrs Paterson and Councillors C Buchan, Evison, Ford, Gibb, Harper and Wilson. for the amendment (8) Councillors Owen, Bruce, M Buchan, Dickinson, Hood, Kille, McKail and Whyte. There being an equality of votes, the Chair exercised her casting vote for the amendment, which was therefore carried in the following terms:- that no recommendation be made at present in respect of who should chair the Aberdeenshire Culture and Sport Sub-Committee. 14. EDUCATION AND CHILDREN S SERVICES SUPPLEMENTARY DIRECTORATE WORKPLAN Members agreed to suspend Standing Order 2.1.2, to enable the meeting to continue after 1pm. With reference to the Minute of Meeting of the Committee of 1 February, 2018 (Item 14), when approval had been given to the annual Directorate Workplan for financial year 2018/2019, there was circulated a report dated 15 March, 2018, by the Director of Education and Children s Services, which provided details of additional projects proposed for inclusion within the Workplan. Thereafter, the Committee:- (1) approved the addition of the items in the Supplementary Directorate Workplan for 2018/19, as detailed within an appendix to the report, (2) noted that the Business Services Committee was the lead policy committee in respect of the office and education furniture contract and that the business case could only be reserved for approval by the lead policy committee, and

7 Page: 11 (3) agreed to delegate authority to award the contract extension for the early years contract to the Head of Lifelong Learning and Leisure. VALEDICTORY MARIA WALKER, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND CHILDREN S SERVICES Elected members, officers and pupils of Aberdeenshire schools paid tribute to the distinguished career and public service of the outgoing Director of Education and Children s Services, Maria Walker, on the occasion of her last Education and Children s Services Committee meeting.

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