Minute
North Lanarkshire Council · 22 November 2022
Back to Education, Children and Families Committee — 22 November 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 22 NOVEMBER 2022 71 22 November 2022 at 2 pm. A Meeting of the EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE PRESENT Councillor Campbell, Convener; Councillor Duffy-Lawson, Vice-Convener; Councillors Ballinger, Barclay, Baudo, Boyd, Brannan-McVey, Bustard, Costello, M. Coyle, S. Coyle, Currie, Dunbar, Fotheringham, Hughes, D. Johnston, T. Johnston, Jones, Kelly, Keltie, Larson, Lennon, Loughran, Magowan, Masterton, McCluskey, B. McCulloch, McKay, McKendrick, McManus, McPake, Mitchell, Stevenson, Toner, Wilson and Woods; Mr. G. McCormack, and Mr. G. Paterson, and Mr. I. Scott. ALSO PRESENT In accordance with Standing Order 64(A) Councillors McPhilemy, Smith and Thomas attended as substitutes for Councillors Khan, Ashraf and L. Stubbs respectively. Councillor Brennan. CHAIR Councillor Campbell (Convener) presided. IN ATTENDANCE Deputy Chief Executive; Head of Education (North); Head of Education (South); Head of Children, Families and Justice Social Work Services; Senior Education and Families Manager (Social Work) Justice; Business Finance Manager; Education and Families Managers; Hub Strategy Manager; SAC Improvement and Equity Lead, and Democratic Services Manager. APOLOGIES Councillors Ashraf, Khan, McVey, and L. Stubbs. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000 1. Councillor Bustard declared a connection by virtue of a family member’s employment, and declared an interest in Agenda item 2 – Improving Outcomes, Standards and Quality Report 2021-22 and left the meeting during consideration of that item of business. Councillor Bustard, prior to consideration of the following item of business, having declared a connection by virtue of a family member, declared an interest and left the meeting during its consideration. IMPROVING OUTCOMES, STANDARDS AND QUALITY REPORT 2021-22 2. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (South) (1) setting out the key highlights and achievements in respect of improving life chances for children, young people and communities for the period from August 2021 to August 2022; (2) reporting, that despite challenges presented by the pandemic, focus continued on the key drivers for improvement to ensure all learners were supported regardless of their socioeconomic background; (3) highlighting that there had been a continued focus
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 22 NOVEMBER 2022 72 on strengthening the cluster model, reviewing core curriculum pathways and pedagogical practice for literacy, numeracy and digital learning, and (4) seeking approval of the Standards and Quality report 2021-2022, and the Education and Families Improvement Plan 2021-2022, as detailed within the Appendices to the report. Decided: (1) that the Standards and Quality Report 2021-22 be approved, and (2) that the Education and Families Improvement Plan 2021-22 be approved. SCOTTISH ATTAINMENT CHALLENGE AND PUPIL EQUITY FUND UPDATE 3. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (South) providing an update on progress within the Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC) Programme within North Lanarkshire and the Pupil Equity Fund (PEF), which is part of the National Attainment Challenge Programme (1) detailing that the SAC Programme had significantly evolved over the years with fundamental changes, thereby enabling a new operating model for the Service; (2) summarising that the last year of the Attainment Challenge Programme had been held in session 2021/22, and had been replaced by the Strategic Equity Fund (SEF) model, incorporating all local authorities; (3) advising that the next phase of SAC, implemented through the SEF, had been set in motion for the current session and would continue until 2025/26; (4) informing that the policy’s mission would be to use education to improve outcomes for children and young people, focusing on tackling the poverty related attainment gap, and (5) enclosing within Appendix 1 to the report the SAC end of year report 2021/22. Decided: that the contents of the report be noted. AWARD FOR FLEXIBLE FRAMEWORK FOR SERVICES LINKED TO SCOTTISH ATTAINMENT CHALLENGE (SAC) AND PUPIL EQUITY FUND (PEF) 4. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (South) (1) seeking approval to award 30 contractors onto a Multi-Lot Framework for services to the Flexible Framework for Services Linked to Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC) and Pupil Equity Fund (PEF); (2) advising that the Framework Agreement is for a period of 48 months, anticipated to commence on 12 December 2022, with no option to extend; (3) stating that the Framework Agreement would not exceed £16m exclusive of VAT, and (4) summarising, within Appendix 1 to the report, the tenderers identified for appointment to the Framework Agreement. Decided: that the award of the Framework Agreement, for services to the Flexible Framework for Services Linked to Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC) and Pupil Equity Fund (PEF), to the maximum value of £16m, to the tenderers outlined within the Appendix to the report, be approved. DEVELOPING THE YOUNG WORKFORCE 5. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (South) (1) providing an update on the Council’s first Developing the Young Workforce/Employer Engagement Conference; (2) informing that the Conference had been attended by over 300 delegates, and brought together over 100 school leaders and staff, almost 100 employers and a wide range of key partners; (3) highlighting that the outcome of the Conference had been extremely positive with over 200 commitments made by employers to create specific opportunities for young people, and (4) advising on the next steps and approach in Developing the Young Workforce Delivery Plan 2022-25, as outlined within Appendix 1 to the report.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 22 NOVEMBER 2022 73 Decided: (1) that the success of the Conference be noted; (2) that the next steps planned to build on the success of the Conference be noted; (3) that the Developing The Young Workforce Delivery Plan be noted; (4) that the measures of success for the Developing the Young Workforce Delivery Plan for 2022-2025 be approved, and (5) that further progress reports be submitted to future meetings of the Committee. WEST PARTNERSHIP REGIONAL IMPROVEMENT – COLLABORATIVE IMPROVEMENT PLAN 6. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (South) (1) informing of the evaluation of work undertaken by the West Partnership Regional Improvement Collaborative during 2020/21, and (2) seeking approval of the West Partnership’s Improvement Plan for 2022/23 as outlined within Appendix 3 to the report. Decided: (1) that the West Partnership’s evaluation of the Regional Improvement Plan for 2020/21 be noted, and (2) that the West Partnership’s Improvement Plan for 2022/23 be approved. MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING RESILIENCE 7. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (North) (1) seeking approval to carry out a further survey of all children in primary and secondary schools who agree to participate, using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; (2) referring to the previous survey undertaken, which provided a significant set of data around the health and wellbeing of children and young people, and (3) highlighting that the approach would be useful given the recent launch of the Roadmap to Recovery, Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan for Children in North Lanarkshire. Decided: that the undertaking in 2023 of a further survey of children and young people’s wellbeing, using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, be approved. REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS 8. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (North) (1) providing an update on the progress made in implementing the 12 recommendations arising from the Additional Support Needs (ASN) review; (2) advising of the ongoing programme of transformational change in reconfiguring intensive ASN systems and services; (3) highlighting that the transformation of ASN provision is a key Programme of Work item within The Plan for North Lanarkshire; (4) emphasising the importance of ensuring that all children achieve their full potential and are catered for within high quality facilities, and (5) seeking approval to extend the original timescale for the implementation of the 12 recommendations from the review to June 2023.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 22 NOVEMBER 2022 74 Decided: (1) that the progress in relation to implementing the outcomes of the Review of ASN provision within North Lanarkshire be noted, and (2) that the extended period, to enable the implementation of all 12 recommendations, to June 2023 be approved. TACKLING DOMESTIC ABUSE - UPDATE ON IMPROVING ACTIVITY, PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY AND DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS 9. There was submitted a report by the Head of Children, Families and Justice Social Work Services (1) providing an update on strategic planning and improvement activity targeted at addressing domestic abuse; (2) advising that a key development is the production of the new Violence Against Women Strategy and Action Plan for 2022/25, enclosed within Appendix 1 to the report; (3) summarising that the Strategy and Action Plan would provide a vehicle to further strengthen and ensure coherence in local improvement activity within this area; (4) setting out specific detail on the SACRO Aura service, following the award of the contract for specialist domestic abuse services, and (5) reporting on a variety of other key foundations of provision and practice development. Decided: (1) that the Violence Against Women Strategy and Action Plan as outlined within Appendix 1 to the report be approved, and (2) that a further update be submitted to a meeting of this Committee in six months. ANNUAL REPORT - COMMUNITY PAYBACK 2021/22 10. There was submitted a report by the Head of Children, Families and Justice Social Work Services (1) advising of the Community Payback Order (CPO) Annual Report for the fiscal year 2021/22; (2) informing that the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 placed a duty on local authorities to prepare an Annual Report outlining the operation of Community Payback Orders; (3) providing an overview of service delivery, key issues and outcomes relating to the delivery of Community Payback; (4) detailing within the report the progress made in delivery of Services’ statutory responsibilities for Community Payback Orders; (5) informing of the impact, both in respect of individuals who are subject to CPO and the local community; (6) highlighting that service delivery required adapting in response to restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic to support recovery and address the resulting backlog within the wider justice system, and (7) attaching, as an Appendix to the report, the Annual report. Decided: that the approach to service delivery, as outlined within the report, be approved. EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE EXPANSION PROGRAMME UPDATE 11. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (North) (1) providing an update on the 1140 hours Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Expansion Programme; (2) reporting on the two outstanding projects at Craigneuk Family Learning Centre and Heathery Park Family Learning Centre; (3) setting out statistical information on the ELC core function; (4) proposing to increase the rate paid for eligible two year olds and three to five year olds based on Scottish Government guidelines; (5) intimating that a Procurement Framework Contract Modification would be required should the increase in the rate per child be approved, as the value of the framework would exceed £12.3m, and (6) summarising the outcome of the Tender process for the 2023/27 ELC framework.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 22 NOVEMBER 2022 75 Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Currie, moved as an amendment that recommendation 2 of the report be amended as follows:- "Note the current status of the project to establish the Heathery Park Family Learning Centre and agree that alongside a general update on the planned new nursery, the 1140 report be presented at the next scheduled meeting of the Committee on Tuesday, 28 February 2023 will also include:- (i) a new target completion date for the refurbishment of the former Community Centre in Wishawhill or at the very least an indication of when the building works may now be finished if the construction is still incomplete, and (ii) a draft plan for the Early Years Centre to be operational and providing a first rate nursery education for local children." Thereon, following consideration of the amendment moved by Councillor Wilson, a consensus was reached to accept the additional recommendation. Decided: (1) that the 1140 ELC project update be noted; (2) that the current status of the project to establish the Heathery Park Family Learning Centre be noted; (3) that it be agreed that a general update on the planned new nursery at the Heathery Park Family Learning Centre be presented to the next scheduled meeting of the Committee and to include (a) a new target completion date for the refurbishment of the former Community Centre at Wishawhill, or alternatively an indication of when the building works will be finished should the construction be incomplete, and (b) a draft plan for the Early Years Centre to be operational and providing a first rate nursery education for local children; (4) that the ELC core function update be noted; (5) that the proposal to increase the rate paid for three to five year olds to £5.77, and eligible two year olds to £6.03, based on Scottish Government guidelines, be approved; (6) that the modification to the final year procurement framework be approved, and (7) that the outcome of the 2023/27 ELC tender be approved. ALTERATION TO PROPOSALS FOR DENOMINATIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL WITHIN THE RAVENSCRAIG AREA 12. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (North) (1) reminding the Committee that a previously approved consultation had been undertaken to build a new denominational primary school with an associated nursery class within the Ravenscraig site; (2) informing that an amended proposal had been made that would require a change in location, taking account of the opportunities within the Levelling Up Fund (LUF); (3) highlighting that the change in location is dependent on approval of LUF funding, however, should the funding be rejected, no statutory education consultation would be required; (4) seeking approval that, should the funding be approved, any further statutory consultation would follow the same process as previously agreed by the Committee, and (5) advising that a further secondary consultation would be required to reallocate the new Ravenscraig catchment to an associated cluster secondary school.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 22 NOVEMBER 2022 76 Decided: (1) that further statutory consultation on the relocation of the denominational primary school within the Ravenscraig area, using previously approved methodology and approach, be approved, and (2) that a further secondary consultation to reallocate the new Ravenscraig catchment to an associated cluster secondary school be approved. ALTERATION TO PROPOSALS FOR NON-DENOMINATIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL WITHIN THE RAVENSCRAIG AREA 13. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (North) (1) reminding the Committee that a previously approved consultation had been undertaken to build a new non-denominational primary school with an associated nursery class within the Ravenscraig site; (2) informing that an amended proposal had been made that would require a change in location, taking account of the opportunities within the Levelling Up Fund (LUF); (3) highlighting that the change in location is dependent on approval of LUF funding, however, should the funding be rejected, no statutory education consultation would be required; (4) seeking approval that, should the funding be approved, any further statutory consultation would follow the same process as previously agreed by the Committee, and (5) advising that a further secondary consultation would be required to reallocate the new Ravenscraig catchment to an associated cluster secondary school. Decided: (1) that further statutory consultation on the relocation of the non-denominational primary school within the Ravenscraig area, using previously approved methodology and approach, be approved, and (2) that a further secondary consultation to reallocate the new Ravenscraig catchment to an associated cluster secondary school be approved. TOWN AND COMMUNITY HUB DELIVERY PROGRAMME - UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF THE HUB DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY PROGRAMME 14. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions (1) providing an update on the Town and Community Hub Delivery Programme; (2) summarising the status of each of the projects on the programme, and (3) enclosing a number of Appendices supporting the narrative contained within the report. Decided: that the report be noted. APPOINTMENT OF TEACHER REPRESENTATIVE 15. There was submitted a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions (1) advising of the outcome of the process to appoint a teacher representative for the primary sector to the Committee, following the resignation from that position of a previous postholder, and (2) highlighting that one nomination had been received and seeking approval to appoint Megan McCrossan to the vacant position on the Committee. Thereon, the Democratic Services Manager provided a verbal update on the report to advise that, since the report had been written, a resignation had also been received from Mr. D. Hannan, Church of Scotland representative. It was further advised that no alternative nomination had been provided
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 22 NOVEMBER 2022 77 by the Church of Scotland, however, should a nomination be received, a further report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee, or the next meeting of full Council, whichever is earlier, recommending the appointment of a Church of Scotland representative. Decided: (1) that the outcome of the process for the appointment of a teacher representative for the primary sector be noted; (2) that the report be remitted to the next meeting of the Council recommending that Megan McCrossan be appointed to the vacant position; (3) that the resignation by Mr. D. Hannan, Church of Scotland representative, be noted, and (4) that should a nomination from the Church of Scotland for the vacant position be received, a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Council, should time allow. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 16. There was submitted a report by the Deputy Chief Executive (1) providing a summary of the financial performance of the Education, Children and Families Service for the period 1 April to 16 September 2022 (Period 6), and (2) illustrating the projected outturn position as at 31 March 2023, with major outturn variances highlighted and explained as per the Council's Approved Financial Regulations. Decided: (1) that the financial position of the Education, Children and Families Revenue Budget be noted, and (2) that the contents of the report be noted. CONTRACTS AWARDED BELOW COMMITTEE APPROVAL THRESHOLD 17. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions notifying the Committee of contracts awarded between 1 July to 30 September 2022 with a value below the financial threshold requiring Committee approval. Decided: that the contracts awarded below the Committee approval threshold between 1 July to 30 September 2022, as per the process within the Council's General Contract Standing Orders, be noted.