230621 Leader's Report
North Ayrshire Council · 21 June 2023
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 21 June 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Official Information Official Information LEADER’S REPORT For the period covering: 8 May – 11 June 2023 The attached report gives a summary and brief details to Council, of meetings and events attended by the Leader of North Ayrshire Council, Councillor Marie Burns.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 1 Official Information Official Information LEADER’S REPORT For the period covering: 8 May – 11 June 2023 NHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE, 9 May On 9 May, I attended an NHS Audit and Risk Committee meeting where attendees discussed various audit and governance papers. The Committee also received progress updates on actions taken within Recruitment and Organisational Culture within NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The Committee also approved the Audit and Risk Committee Annual report 2022 – 23 and this will now be forwarded to the NHS Board for their approval. MEETING WITH MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, EMPOWERMENT AND PLANNING, 11 May On 10 May, together with North Ayrshire Council Chief Executive Craig Hatton, I had an introductory meeting with the new Scottish Government Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning Joe Fitzpatrick MSP. The meeting provided the opportunity to outline to the Minister, North Ayrshire Council’s three key priorities and to discuss how these fit in with the work of the Scottish Government. JOINT YOUTH CABINET, 16 May Together with North Ayrshire Council Cabinet members and senior officers, I attended a meeting of Joint Youth Cabinet on 16 May at the Volunteer Rooms in Irvine. It was a hugely successful event with pupils from all of our secondary schools taking part in productive discussions on a range of topics including: • Climate Change and Sustainability • Tackling Inequalities • UNCRC • Opportunities for Young People in the Community • Health and Wellbeing The event also provided pupils the opportunity to express what issues they are most worried about at the present time, especially in relation to the cost of living.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 2 Official Information Official Information I would like to thank all the pupils that took part in the joint meeting and express how much it is appreciated to hear directly from them on the issues that matter most. This helps North Ayrshire Council define its strategies and ensure work is being done to address any concerns our young people may have. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC JOINT COMMITTEE, 22 May On 22 May, I attended a meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee where attendees received updates on the progress of the Ayrshire Growth Deal and the progression of its component projects as of the end of April. NHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN BOARD MEETING, 23 May On 23 May, I attended an NHS Ayrshire and Arran Board meeting to discuss a packed agenda. Attendees then received updates on the following: • Overview report of quality improvement in Acute services • Audit and Risk Committee annual report • Healthcare Governance Committee annual report • Information Governance Committee annual report • Integrated Governance Committee annual report • Performance Governance Committee annual report • Staff Governance Committee annual report • Pharmacy Practices annual report • Corporate Equalities annual report Board members were also asked to approve the minutes from East, South and North Ayrshire Council Integration Joint Boards. MONTGOMERIE PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL GROUND BREAKING, 24 May I was delighted to attend the official groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new Montgomerie Park Primary school in Irvine on 24 May. The new school is a £23.5 million education project that will see the creation of a new primary and early years facility within the east Irvine area of North Ayrshire.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 3 Official Information Official Information The design will form a new urban edge with a civic quality that responds to the development of the wider Montgomerie Park masterplan, with accommodation such as student and staff breakout spaces located along the building frontage that will bring animation and movement to the façade and will be visible from the main approach. The building design facilitates a variety of learning settings in both early years and primary school levels. The overarching design drivers for the classroom areas are based on openness, accessibility, flexibility and pupil interaction, formal and informal learning. I look forward to seeing the school upon completion of the works. TACKLING CHILD POVERTY BOARD MEETING, 24 May Late on 24 May, I chaired a meeting of the North Ayrshire Council Tackling Child Poverty Board where attendees discussed the draft Child Poverty Strategy and Action Plan 2023-24 There was also a useful discussion on the Child Poverty and Cost of Living Fund and the potential approaches to allocation on the use of Funding agreed as part of the Council budget on 1st of March 2023. Attendees also received an update on the Child Poverty & Cost of Living data pathfinder project on the work to establish key performance indicators for this work and on-going engagement with the Improvement Service on a pathfinder project. There was also an update on the “No wrong door” pledge and the proposed approach to taking forward a North Ayrshire wide ‘no wrong door’ commitment across partner agencies. CHILDCARE MINI ENQUIRY, 25 May On 25 May, I attended a Childcare mini enquiry held at Ardeer Community centre. The event was part of the Tackling child poverty Board strategy and saw a range of partners, third sector, individuals involved in childcare, teaching staff and officers come together to discuss the barriers associated with childcare that prevent parents entering the workforce. Attendees received useful presentations outlining the current position with existing childcare providers and also, around the work being done by North Ayrshire Council Employability team and the Lennox Partnership with the “We Work for Families” course which are helping parents re-enter the labour market.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 4 Official Information Official Information There were also table discussions about what are the main problems with childcare and suggestions of what could be done to overcome these. It is clear that one of the main problems is the lack of childcare providers with availability suiting parents looking for employment. My thanks to all those who took time to attend the Mini enquiry and for their invaluable input which will be used in our strategy going forward. 1st TIER JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND CORPORATE HEALTH AND SAFETY GROUP MEETING, 25 May On 25 May, I chaired a meeting of the 1st Tier Joint Consultative Committee immediately followed by a meeting of the Corporate Health and Safety Group. Attendees received a Health and Safety Overview followed by Health and Safety reports from various Directorates. There was also an update on the work of The LiveWell Group which continues to promote wellbeing activities and campaigns via a range of communication channels including email, News in Brief, SharePoint and Social Media platforms. The LiveWell programme is split into key themes which are: PlayWell, BeWell, WorkWell and EatWell. During September 2022, a fifth theme called SaveWell was added to the LiveWell programme and provides a range of information on debt, food and advice to help with the cost of living. Upcoming activities as part of the LiveWell programme will be promoted in partnership with KA Leisure. This includes health checks for teaching staff in schools and employees within Building Services and access to three-month KA Memberships and seven-day family passes will also be promoted, along with the ‘Change Ahead’ menopause programme. COSLA LEADERS’, 26 May COSLA Leaders met again on 26 May to discuss a packed agenda including the following: • Partnership Agreement Between Scottish and Local Government • Scottish Government Policy Prospectus • Local Governance Review • SOLACE/Improvement Service Transformation work • Local Government Finance • Climate Intelligence Service • Non-Domestic Rates Incentivisation Scheme • Fiscal Framework for Local Government
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 5 Official Information Official Information • Flood Risk Management • Learning Estate Investment Programme • Councillor Remuneration: SLARC Review Update • Local Government Digital Office – Annual Update • Digital Boost and Digital Business Support • National Care Service Negotiations • Covid Inquiry Update • Prescribing Minimum Learning Hours – Consultation Response • Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy • myjobscotland Contract Extension • Changes to Strategic Scrutiny and Best Value Arrangements The Scottish Government prospectus, “Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start” published on 18th April, sets out three ‘missions’ of ‘Equality’, ‘Opportunity’ and ‘Community’. Though not as detailed as the Scottish Government’s annual Programme for Government, each Cabinet Secretary has outlined key policy commitments to achieve by the end of this parliamentary term (2026). COSLA officers have made an initial assessment of how the commitments within the scope of COSLA align with their key Areas some of which include: • Tackling poverty • A ‘New Deal for Local Government’ • National Care Service. • Commitments relating to early learning and school-aged childcare • Investment in sport and active travel COSLA Officers will continue to develop a more detailed understanding of the Scottish Government policy commitments and their implications for local government. Leaders will be kept advised of any potential risks or opportunities. NHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN HEALTHCARE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE MEETING, 5 June On 5 June, I attended a meeting of the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Healthcare Governance meeting. Attendees received reports in relation to Quality Improvement in various areas of health care. There was also discussion on the Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) report and the Board’s current position against the HCAI Standards. This was followed by discussion on the Infection Prevention and Control Standards (IPCS) Improvement Action Plan to ensure full compliance.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 6 Official Information Official Information AYRSHIRE SHARED SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING, 9 June On 9 June, I attended a pan Ayrshire Shared Services Committee meeting. The Committee were given an update on the latest Civil Contingencies Plan for Ayrshire and agreed suggested actions for the new plan. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING, 9 June Later on 9 June, I attended an Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board meeting where attendees received an update on the Implementation and Financial Plan, Benefit Realisation Plan and Programme Risk Register. Councillor Marie Burns Leader of North Ayrshire Council