Agenda, decisions and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be located at the following link:-

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=504&MId=3861&Ver=4

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

The Convener advised the Committee as to a number of good news stories as follows –

·         Imagining Aberdeen:  Children’s Parliament Video

The Committee was reminded of the work that had been done with the Children’s Parliament and “Imagining Aberdeen” and was shown a short video which presented the ‘Imaging Aberdeen’ participants’ visions for the city.

The Convener expressed that the film detailing the visions was incredibly moving and thought provoking – particularly when Members considered that the staff from the Children’s Parliament had only been working in the four schools, namely, Riverbank, Manor Park, Tullos and Bramble Brae since January 2016.  These children, the “Imagineers”, had only been working together since May 2016, and had achieved so much together in such a short space of time, it was truly commendable.

The mural and film were not the end of the project.  They were very much a starting point for improved dialogue with children and young people – a dialogue which facilitated their increased involvement in the policies and practices that shaped their city.  Already officers were using the reports from the ‘Imagineers’ and their peers to inform the new children’s services plan, and the mural and film were being used to help facilitate engagement with some communities in planning for improvements.

The Convener advised that the Service was going to continue to engage with the Children’s Parliament over the coming year.  It also planned to further embed the work in the four schools by exploring how a rights based approach in the classroom could improve attainment – a high priority for all.  In addition there were plans to widen the project to other schools across the city.  Staff and pupils would present at a City Wide Head Teacher meeting in September 2016, and share the value of their experiences.  Colin Morrison and his team were also working with colleagues in Education and Children’s Services to plan the delivery of professional learning to other staff across the city schools.

Finally, the Convener reiterated the commitment of Aberdeen City Council to listen to and respond to the views expressed in the mural and film.  The Council wanted to ensure decision making reflected the voice of its youngest citizens, and was underpinned by the values of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Wellbeing indicators.  It also wanted to continue to realise the Imagineers’ vision for a ‘Healthy, Happy and Safe’ Aberdeen, and looked forward to a continued partnership with the Children’s Parliament over the coming months.

The Committee commended the project and thanked Colin Morrison and his team for the work they had undertaken with the four schools.

·         Aberdeen’s Festival of Light nominated for multiple awards

SPECTRA 2016 - Aberdeen’s spectacular festival of light - had been nominated in three categories of The Drum Scottish Event Awards 2016, which recognised success and innovation within events and festivals nationally.

In only its third year SPECTRA had been nominated for ‘Cultural Event of the Year’, ‘Large Event of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Convener advised that since the last meeting of the Committee Reverend McKenna had stepped down as the Church of Scotland Representative on the Committee and that notification of his successor was awaited.  The Convener thanked him for his valuable input throughout his time on the Committee.

The Convener then advised that this was Mrs Bowyer’s last meeting on the Committee as Parent Representative – Primary Schools.  She took the opportunity to thank her for her valuable contribution to the Committee’s business.

The Committee resolved:

to echo the comments of the Convener, and to thank Reverend McKenna and Mrs Bowyer for the time and commitment they had shown in their role as Members of this Committee.

The Convener congratulated Mr Paul, Teacher Representative – Secondary Schools), on his appointment as Acting Head Teacher at Kincorth Academy.

The Committee resolved:

to concur with the remarks of the Convener.

The Convener proposed that item 7.9 (Garthdee Alpine Sports 2014-2017 Strategic Business Plan Refresh (2016/2017)) of today’s agenda (article 18 of this minute) be considered with the press and public excluded.

The Committee resolved:

in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the aforementioned item of business (article 18 of this minute refers) so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the classes described in paragraph 6 of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

The Committee had before it the minute of its meeting of 2 June 2016, for approval.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Committee had before it a statement of pending and outstanding committee business which had been prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to note that reports on items 2 (Aberdeen International Youth Festival – Business Plan), 3 (Joint Inspection of Children’s Services Action Plan), 4 (Non Housing Capital Programme – Education Provision), and 7 (Reclaiming Social Work) were to be considered on today’s agenda and to remove these items from the statement subject to the decisions taken;

(ii)        in relation to item 6 (Countesswells School Zone, Braeside Building), to instruct officers to detail on the business statement when a report would be submitted to the Committee;

(iii)       to note that item 9 (Sport Aberdeen, Contract Revision and Governance Arrangements), would be reported to the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee and therefore to remove it from the statement; and

(iv)       to otherwise note the updates provided.

The Committee had before it a list of motions prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:

to note the update provided.

With reference to article 6 of the minute of the meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of 2 June 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services and the Head of Finance which advised members of the current year revenue budget to date for the Education and Children’s Service, and outlined any areas of risk, and management action being taken in this regard.

The report recommended –

that the Committee consider and note the report and the information on management action and risks that was contained therein.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to instruct officers to circulate, by way of email, the current fundraising total for Aberdeen Art Gallery to all Members of the Committee; and

(ii)        to otherwise note the report.

With reference to article 7 of the minute of the meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of 2 June 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which provided a summary of quarterly Education and Children’s Services Directorate performance outcome data up to and including 30 June 2016.

The report recommended –

that the Committee note the Education and Children’s Service Directorate performance report for the quarterly period to 30 June 2016.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve the recommendation;

(ii)        to instruct officers to explore whether it was possible for base figures for Looked After Children to be included in future Education and Children’s Service Directorate performance reports; and

(iii)       to instruct officers to provide further detail to Councillor Greig directly regarding the drop in library visitors.

With reference to article 10 of the minute of the meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of 24 March 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which reported the outcome of the most recent ALEO Governance Hub Committee meeting in relation to Aberdeen Sports Village.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the minute of the ALEO Governance Hub Committee meeting of 10 May 2016 in relation to Aberdeen Sports Village; and

(b)       provide comment on any of the areas highlighted in the report.

The Committee resolved:

to approve recommendation (a).

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The Convener declared an interest in the subject matter of the following article by virtue of her position as a Council appointed Board member of Garthdee Alpine Sports Board.  The Convener chose to remain in the meeting as Garthdee Alpine Sports had a specific exclusion in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which reported the outcome of the most recent ALEO Governance Hub Committee meeting in relation to Garthdee Alpine Sports Limited.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the minute of the ALEO Governance Hub Committee meeting of 13 May 2016 in relation to Garthdee Alpine Sports Limited; and

(b)       provide comment on any of the areas highlighted in the report.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve recommendation (a);

(ii)        to request Garthdee Alpine Sports Limited to provide further detail to Councillor Townson regarding the number of casual contracts and figures for those who were employees and those who were self-employed; and

(iii)       to instruct the Head of Policy, Performance and Resources to update Councillor Townson on developments regarding the Transfer Agreement and Funding Service Provision between Aberdeen City Council and Garthdee Alpine Sports.

With reference to article 9 of the minute of the meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of 24 March 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which reported the outcome of the most recent ALEO Governance Hub Committee meeting in relation to Sport Aberdeen.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the minute of the ALEO Governance Hub Committee meeting of 9 May 2016 in relation to Sport Aberdeen; and

(b)       provide comment on any of the areas highlighted in the report.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve recommendation (a); and

(ii)        to request Sport Aberdeen to confirm to Councillor Jennifer Stewart whether Hazlehead Swimming pool was open on 21 August 2016.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which reported the outcome of the most recent ALEO Governance Hub Committee meeting in relation to Aberdeen Performing Arts.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the minute of the ALEO Governance Hub Committee meeting of 10 May 2016 in relation to Aberdeen Performing Arts; and

(b)       provide comment on any of the areas highlighted in the report.

The Committee resolved:

to approve recommendation (a).

With reference to article 2 of the minute of the meeting of Council of 25 February 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which provided an update on the review of primary school provision in Torry and recommended the construction of a new primary school to increase capacity along with early learning and childcare facilities and the creation of a Community Hub.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the community engagement that had taken place to date and the analysis of the feedback and comments received from the community;

(b)       note the option appraisal work and outcome of the preferred site for the new primary school, early learning and childcare facilities and Community Hub;

(c)        delegate officers to commence a programme of formal consultation regarding taking forward the Torry Academy site as the preferred site for the development of a new Primary School, early education and childcare facilities and Community Hub;

(d)       instruct officers to feedback the responses to the formal consultation to a future meeting of this Committee; and

(e)       otherwise note the contents of the report.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 2 of the minute of the meeting of Council of 25 February 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which provided an update on the review of primary school provision in the Tillydrone / Old Aberdeen area with a view to providing increased educational capacity in Tillydrone and also providing a replacement school for St. Peter’s School.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the engagement that had taken place with the community to date and the analysis of the feedback and comments received from the community;

(b)       note the option appraisal work and outcome identifying the St Machar Park site as the preferred site for future school and early learning provision in the area;

(c)        instruct officers to commence a programme of formal consultation regarding taking forward the development of a multi faith campus with nursery provision which included a replacement building for St Peter’s School and a non-denominational school; and

(d)       otherwise note the content of the report.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to note the engagement that had taken place between April and June 2016 with the community and the analysis of the feedback and comments received from the community;

(ii)        to instruct officers to evaluate the ground conditions at the former St Machar School / former Tillydrone School site and to confirm whether the St Machar Park site or the former St Machar School / former Tillydrone School site represented the best value option on which to locate a new two or three stream school with early learning and childcare facilities;

(iii)       to instruct the Head of Policy, Performance and Resources to review the educational facilities currently present in Tillydrone along with any proposed (new builds) for both St Peter’s School and non-denominational primary provision;

(iv)       to instruct the Head of Policy, Performance and Resources to prepare a written report to the full Council meeting on 6 October 2016 outlining the option appraisal work undertaken and the preferred solution which could then be issued to stakeholders as a formal public consultation proposal;

(v)        to note there was presently no early learning provision within the St Peter’s Primary School;

(vi)       to otherwise note the content of the report; and

(vii)      to request the Head of Policy, Performance and Resources to explore ways in which future literature regarding Catholic Schools could be more explicit in advising that attendance at Catholic Schools was available to all pupils.

DATA PROTECTED INFORMATION

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1988 (Principle 1), the press and public were excluded from the meeting for the following two items of business.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which advised of the implementation of a new continuum of support provision developed as a result of the recommendations contained within the 2014 Inclusion Review.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the content of the report, which outlined the ongoing transformation of service delivery to ensure the needs of all Aberdeen City’s children and young people were being met; and

(b)       note that it was likely this work would result in no young people being educated within one building as detailed in the report.  If this was the case, the building would be ‘mothballed’.  A further report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendations.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Boulton, Cooney and Ironside declared an interest in the subject matter of the following article of business by virtue of their positions as Board members of Aberdeen International Youth Festival.  Councillors Cooney and Ironside did not feel it was necessary to withdraw from the meeting during consideration of this item.  Councillor Boulton considered that the nature of her interest required her to leave the meeting and take no part in the deliberations thereon.  Councillor Boulton was substituted by Councillor Finlayson for this item only.

With reference to article 11 of the minute of the meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of 2 June 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which advised of the outcome of Aberdeen International Youth Festival’s (AIYF) governance review and the associated implications relating to the Council.

The report recommended –

that the Committee -

(a)       note the outcome of AIYF’s governance review including the proposal moving forward and the associated implications relating to the Council, as detailed in the report; and

(b)       request that officers provide information bulletin updates to the Education and Children’s Services Committee on progress in delivering the new governance model for AIYF.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)        to agree that the Council retain the ability to appoint up to seven representatives and that the other founding partners, the University of Aberdeen and Local Advisory Committee (Friends of) for AIYF could each appoint three trustees.

EXEMPT BUSINESS

In accordance with the decision taken at article 4 of this minute, the Committee considered the following item of business with the press and public excluded.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The Convener declared an interest in the subject matter of the following article by virtue of her position as a Council appointed Board member of Garthdee Alpine Sports Board.  The Convener considered that the nature of her interest required her to leave the meeting and take no part in the deliberations thereon.

The Vice Convener took the chair for this item of business only.

With reference to article 16 of the minute of the meeting of the Education and Children’s services Committee of 11 March 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which presented the 2014-2017 Garthdee Alpine Sports Strategic Business Plan Refresh 2016/2017 for approval.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the contents of the report; and

(b)       approve the 2014-17 Garthdee Alpine Sports Strategic Business Plan Refresh for 2016/2017.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)        to instruct internal audit to examine the Garthdee Alpine Sports Strategic Business Plan and submit a report to a future meeting of Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee in this regard.

At this juncture, the external members of the Committee departed.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which advised of the new legislative requirements placed on Children’s Social Work as a result of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

The report recommended –

that the Committee -

(a)       note the new statutory duties that applied to Children’s Social Work as a result of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and the associated service and financial implications;

(b)       request a report in November 2016 which would set out how the Residential Children’s Homes would deliver on Continuing Care;

(c)        request a report in early 2017 which detailed the allowance paid to remunerate foster and kinship carers who cared for young people in a Continuing Care placement; and

(d)       request a report in 2017 which would outline the projected financial implications of delivering on the new statutory duties of the Act.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener moved:-

that the Committee –

(1)       approve recommendations (a) and (b);

(2)       request a report in January 2017 which detailed the allowance paid to remunerate foster and kinship carers who cared for young people in a Continuing Care placement;

(3)       instruct the Director of Education and Children’s Services to provide a report to the next meeting of Education and Children’s Services Committee outlining the projected financial implications of delivering on the new statutory duties of the Act; and

(4)       note the Scottish Government’s programme for Scotland 2016/2017; further note the financial implications as set out in paragraph 3; and instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, asking for a guarantee that the funding provided by Scottish Government for the implementation of delivering the new statutory duties imposed by the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 would be sufficient to cover the costs imposed by statute and for the Chief Executive to report back on the response received.

Councillor Flynn, seconded by Councillor Nicoll moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations in the report.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (12) – the Convener; the Vice Convener; and Councillors Boulton, Cooney, Lesley Dunbar, Grant, Greig, Ironside CBE, Laing, Malik, Jennifer Stewart and Young; for the amendment (7) – Councillors Cameron, Copland, Flynn, MacGregor, Nicoll, Noble and Townson.

The Committee resolved:

to adopt the motion.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The Convener; the Vice Convener and Councillors Laing and Young declared an interest during the course of discussion of the following item by virtue of their position as Trustees of Oakbank School.   None of the Members considered that the nature of their interest required them to withdraw from the meeting during discussion of the item.

Please note this report replaces the one that was in the first circulation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which provided an update on the background and scope of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry and presented the Council’s proposed response.

The report recommended –

that the Committee note the Council’s approach to establishing readiness for the requirements of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, as follows:

• a strategic group had been established comprising of internal council services and external stakeholders;
• information sources were being collated spanning the historical timeframe 1945-2014;
• communication and training requirements were being scoped to ensure all staff and customers were aware of the Inquiry and had access to additional information and/or support if required;
• sourcing of support services were being collated to ensure a comprehensive package of support could be proactively promoted and accessed by staff and customers at any point in the future; and
• a local helpline and email address would be set up to ensure maximum privacy, care and sensitivity were provided for people to make enquiries or seek support.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendation

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which outlined the actions that Children’s Social Work had taken to develop a comprehensive Strategic Needs Assessment and Commissioning Framework to support the implementation of Reclaiming Social Work and provide the Council with assurance or rigorous oversight of public funds.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       note the report and approve the decision for Children’s Social Work to adopt the Public Social Partnership (PSP) model for the commissioning of external services; and

(b)       approve (1) the implementation of the PSP in three phases; (2) separate tendering processes for the three phases, without the need for a pilot phase, within the timescales outlined in the report; and (3) co-design of the service specifications for each phase, including Children’s Social Work, the third sector and the views of current service users and their families.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 15 of the minute of the meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of 2 June 2015, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which sought approval of the various fees and allowances paid to foster carers, adopters, kinship carers and carers who provided supported lodgings, as well as the fees paid to Curators-ad-litem, Reporting Officers and Panel Chairs.

The report recommended –

that the Committee -

(a)       approve with effect from 1 April 2016 a 1% increase in the level of:

·         Fostering and Kinship Allowance

·         Payment for Skills fees

·         Adoption Allowance

·         Curator-ad-litem/Reporting Officer fees

·         Supported Lodgings Allowance

(b)       approve with effect from 1 April 2016 that there be no change to the level of fee charged for:

·         Inter-Country Adoptions

(c)        approve with effect from 1 April 2016 that there be no change to the level of fee for:

·         Independent Chairs of Adoption and Permanence/Fostering Panels

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendations

With reference to article 13 of the minute of the meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of 24 March 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which provided a final update on the progress of implementing the joint inspection of services for children and young people in the Aberdeen City Community Planning Partnership area.

The report recommended –

that the Committee note the final report on delivering the multi-agency Action Plan.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)        to thank the Chief Social Work Officer and her team.

With reference to article 14 of the minute of the meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of 24 March 2016, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education and Children’s Service which provided an update on progress made on implementation of the Reclaiming Social Work programme.

The report recommended –

that the Committee continue to support the implementation of Reclaiming Social Work with no substantive changes to the plans originally submitted.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)        to thank the Chief Social Work Officer, the Head of Inclusion and their respective teams.

- COUNCILLOR ANGELA TAYLOR, Convener