Minute
North Lanarkshire Council · 23 May 2023
Back to Education, Children and Families Committee — 23 May 2023 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 - 23 MAY 2023 62 23 May 2023 at 2 pm. A Meeting of the EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE PRESENT Councillor Campbell, Convener; Councillor Duffy-Lawson, Vice-Convener; Councillors Ashraf, Ballinger, Barclay, Boyd, Brannan-McVey, Bustard, Carragher, Costello, Currie, Dunbar, Fotheringham, Hughes, D. Johnston, T. Johnston, Jones, Kelly, Keltie, Larson, Loughran, Magowan, Masterton, B. McCulloch, McKay, McPake, Mitchell, Stevenson, A. Stubbs, Toner and Woods; Mr. G. McCormack, Mr. G. Paterson, Ms. M. McCrossan and Mr. I. Scott. ALSO PRESENT In accordance with Standing Order 64(A) Councillors McPhilemy and Nolan attended as substitutes for Councillors Khan and Wilson respectively. CHAIR Councillor Campbell (Convener) presided. IN ATTENDANCE Chief Officer (Education – North); Chief Officer (Education – South); Chief Officer (Education, Families, Justice and Integrated Practice); Senior Education and Families Manager (Social Work); Business Finance Manager; Education and Families Manager, and Democratic Services Manager. APOLOGIES Councillors M. Coyle, Khan, McKendrick, McVey and Wilson. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000 1. There were no declarations. The Convener used her discretion to vary the order of business as hereinafter minuted. COMMUNITY ASSET TRANSFER REQUEST - CUMBERNAULD COTTAGE TRUST 2. There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Strategic Communication and Engagement) (1) advising of a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) request relating to the former Cumbernauld Theatre; (2) summarising the assessment of the request against the approved criteria; (3) enclosing, within Appendix 2 of the report, a copy of the full assessment findings, and (4) recommending that the request for a Community Asset Transfer for the former Cumbernauld Theatre be rejected, as outlined within the report. Councillor Campbell, seconded by Councillor Duffy-Lawson, moved as a motion that the report be approved. Councillor T. Johnston, seconded by Councillor Barclay, moved as an amendment that recommendation 2 be amended to grant the request for a Community Asset Transfer for the former Cumbernauld Theatre.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 23 MAY 2023 63 Thereon, in terms of Standing Order 39, the vote was taken by calling the roll. On the roll being called:- 18 Members voted for the motion as follows:- Councillors Boyd, Brannan-McVey, Bustard, Campbell, Costello, Currie, Duffy-Lawson, Dunbar, Jones, Kelly, Loughran, B. McCulloch, McKay, McPake, McPhilemy, Nolan, Stevenson and Woods. 15 Members voted for the amendment as follows:- Councillors Ashraf, Ballinger, Barclay, Carragher, Fotheringham, Hughes, D. Johnston, T. Johnston, Keltie, Larson, Magowan, Masterton, Mitchell, A Stubbs and Toner. 18 Members having voted for the motion and 15 Members having voted for the amendment, the motion was accordingly declared carried. Decided: (1) that the detailed assessment of the application relating to the former Cumbernauld Theatre, against approved criteria, be noted, and (2) that the rejection of the application for the Community Asset Transfer of the former Cumbernauld Theatre, as outlined within the Appendices to the report, be approved. 1140 EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE EXPANSION PROGRAMME UPDATE 3. There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Education – North) (1) providing an update on the 1140 Hours Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Expansion Programme; (2) informing of the progress at Heathery Park Family Learning Centre; (3) setting out the position and impact in relation to the budget setting process, where it had been agreed to review the ELC staffing structures and align employee resource to the staffing model; (4) advising that, under delegated authority, a negotiated tender process had been undertaken for the delivery of ELC; (5) outlining the review of the sustainable rate for partner providers from August 2023, taking account of national guidance, and (6) recommending that, from academic session 2023/24, the ELC start date for 3 year olds be changed to the beginning of the term after the child's 3rd birthday. Councillor Campbell, seconded by Councillor Duffy-Lawson, moved as a motion that the report be approved. Councillor A Stubbs, seconded by Councillor Ballinger, moved as an amendment that the report be approved with the exception of recommendations 3 and 6, which should be deleted. Thereon, in terms of Standing Order 39, the vote was taken by calling the roll. On the roll being called:- 18 Members voted for the motion as follows:- Councillors Boyd, Brannan-McVey, Bustard, Campbell, Costello, Currie, Duffy-Lawson, Dunbar, Jones, Kelly, Loughran, B. McCulloch, McKay, McPake, McPhilemy, Nolan Stevenson and Woods,. 15 Members voted for the amendment as follows:- Councillors Ashraf, Ballinger, Barclay, Carragher, Fotheringham, Hughes, D. Johnston, T. Johnston, Keltie, Larson, Magowan, Masterton, Mitchell, A Stubbs and Toner.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 23 MAY 2023 64 3 Members voted to abstain as follows:- M. Clarkson, G. Paterson and G. McCormack. 18 Members having voted for the motion, 15 Members having voted for the amendment and 3 Members having abstained, the motion was accordingly declared carried. Decided: (1) that the 1140 Project Update be noted; (2) that the position of Heathery Park Family Learning Centre, be noted; (3) that the current position in relation to the budget setting process and the impact on ELC be noted; (4) that the negotiated tender process for the delivery of ELC be noted; (5) that the position in regards to the review of the sustainable rate for partner providers from August 2023 be noted, and (6) that, from academic session 2023/24, the ELC start date for 3 year olds be changed to the beginning of the term after the child's 3rd birthday. HEALTH AND WELLBEING 4. There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Education – North) (1) providing an update on the progress of the implementation and development of the Roadmap to Recovery Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan; (2) detailing the outputs and the outcome measures from work carried out through the Roadmap to Recovery; (3) incorporating a number of factors into the Plan that are considered significant for improving health and wellbeing, and (4) setting out a range of developments and the measures of impact including actions to improve attendance, and the provision of approaches to develop supportive relationships and positive mental health and wellbeing. Decided: that the contents of the report be noted. SCHOOL HOLIDAY CONSULTATION 5. There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Education – North) (1) advising of a consultation being undertaken on proposals to reduce the summer break by one week and adjust other term dates to accommodate; (2) setting out the timeline of the consultation; (3) highlighting particular groups and individuals to whom the opportunity to respond to the consultation had been available; (4) informing that, should the proposals be approved, the implementation would not take place before session 2025/26, and (5) stating that a report on the final outcome be presented to the next meeting of the Committee. Decided: (1) that the approach taken regarding the Council decision to consult on changes to school term dates be noted, and (2) that it be noted that the final outcomes would be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 23 MAY 2023 65 DEVELOPING GAELIC LANGUAGE WITHIN NORTH LANARKSHIRE Leasachadh Dealbhadh Gaidhlig ann an Comhairle Shiorrachd Lannraig a Tuath 6. There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Education – North) (1) outlining the current levels of joint investment in Gaelic language activity, including Gaelic Medium Education (GME), by the Council and the Scottish Government; (2) detailing the financial position of the current Gaelic programme within North Lanarkshire; (3) setting out the implications for further development of the programme; (4) proposing plans for expansion of Gaelic education within North Lanarkshire, subject to Scottish Government grant funding for session 2023/24; (5) reporting on the impact which issues relating to funding and staff recruitment has on service planning and delivery; (6) recommending the Service write to the Scottish Government to further outline the ambitious plans for GME in North Lanarkshire, already published in the GLP (can you put GLP in full) for 2022/27, and request additional funding to support the plans. Decided: (1) that the proposed plans for the expansion of GME within North Lanarkshire, subject to funding, be approved; (2) that the review of the financial position of the current Gaelic programme and the implications of the further development of the programme be noted; (3) that the impacts which issues relating to funding and staff recruitment have on service planning and delivery be noted, and (4) that the Service writes to the Scottish Government to further outline the ambitious plans for GME in North Lanarkshire, already published in the accepted GLP for 2022/27, and to request additional funding to support the plan. PROGRESS REPORT FOR FUTURE FRIDAYS 7. There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Education – South) (1) providing an update on the Future Fridays programme; (2) detailing that the Future Fridays and Enrichment Afternoons aim to provide opportunities for all young people to improve health and wellbeing, build relationships, develop leadership capacity and gain employment and enterprise experiences, and develop skills for learning, life and work; (3) highlighting that, since its inception, attendance rates have risen, with approximately 23% of young people now engaging in the programme each week; (4) outlining the number of schools that surpassed the 2023 Developing the Young Workforce Delivery Plan target; (5) advising of next steps and future plans to enhance attainment, develop skills and increase work related learning opportunities, whilst targeting specific groups of young people, and (6) informing that further progress reports would be brought to future meetings of the Committee. Decided: (1) that the current progress and attendance, accreditation, developing the young workforce and skills building be noted; (2) that further progress reports be submitted to future meetings of the Committee, and (3) that the next steps planned to enhance attainment, develop skills and increase work related learning opportunities, whilst targeting specific groups of young people, be approved.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 23 MAY 2023 66 EMBEDDING THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (UNCRC) 8. There was submitted a report by the Chief Social Work Officer (Education Families, Justice and Integrated Practice) (1) advising of ongoing activity and developments to promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and embed it in practice and systems within North Lanarkshire; (2) detailing the background to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill, passed by the Scottish Parliament in March 2021; (3) outlining, within the report, that the UNCRC is critical to the Council’s ambition to “support all children and young people to realise their full potential”; (4) summarising the role of Elected Members and the Council in supporting, scrutinising and realising children’s rights in North Lanarkshire, and (5) highlighting the key actions and next steps to be undertaken by the Council to realise children’s rights through best practice, culture and system change. Decided: (1) that the actions set out as next steps, detailed within the report, be approved, and (2) that the report be otherwise noted. TOWN AND COMMUNITY HUB DELIVERY PROGRAMME - UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF THE HUB DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY PROGRAMME 9. There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Asset and Procurement) (1) providing an update on the Town and Community Hub Delivery Programme in line with The Plan for North Lanarkshire and associated Programme of Works, and (2) enclosing, within various Appendices to the report, the current delivery programme, the programme timeline chart, pre-delivery projects and community benefits programme outputs. Decided: that the progress of each of the projects in the current Town and Community Hub Delivery Programme be noted. STRATEGIC PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK - LATEST PERFORMANCE RESULTS FOR CHILDRENS’ SOCIAL WORK AND PROTECTION 10. There was submitted a joint report by the Chief Social Work Officer (Children, Families, Justice and Integrated Practice) (1) providing an update on the latest results of the Strategic Performance Indicators used by the Children Social Work and Protection Section, and (2) attaching, in Appendix 2 to the report, a high-level performance overview as at 31 March 2023. Decided: that the high-level performance overview, as detailed within Appendix 2 to the report, and the supporting data, as outlined within the report, be approved. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 11. There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) providing a summary of the financial performance of the Education, Children and Families Service for the period 1 April 2022 to 3 March 2023 (Period 12), and (2) illustrating the projected outturn position as at 31 March 2023, with major outturn variances highlighted and explained as per the Council's 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 otherwise noted.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 23 MAY 2023 67 CONTRACTS AWARDED BELOW COMMITTEE APPROVAL THRESHOLD 12. There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Asset and Procurement) notifying the Committee of contracts awarded between 1 January and 31 March 2023 with a value below the financial threshold requiring Committee approval. Decided: that the contracts awarded below the Committee approval threshold between 1 January and 31 March 2023, as per the process within the Council's General Contract Standing Orders, be noted.