Minute of meeting of 4 March 2024
Perth and Kinross Council · 28 August 2024
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 28 August 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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JOINT NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE FOR TEACHING STAFF Minute of hybrid meeting of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff (JNCT) held in the Council Chambers, 2 High Street, Perth on Monday 4 March 2024 at 2.30pm. Present: Representing Perth and Kinross Council Councillors J Rebbeck and C Shiers; S Devlin, J Donnelly, L Gordon, G Doogan and D Macluskey (all Economy Place and Learning); P Johnstone (Strategy, People and Resources). Representing Teachers’ Associations S Dowling (substituting for A Dickinson), J Leslie, L Gibb, L.J. Grant, M Laurie and C Weston (all EIS); M Mackie (SSTA); Shaun Topen-Cooper (NASUWT) In Attendance: J Martin (Economy, Place and Learning); A McAuley, Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side); D Williams for Joint Secretary (Management Side). Apologies: Councillor S Carr, A Dickinson, C Rose and M Taylor. M Laurie, Convener, Presiding. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were submitted and noted as above. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (ELECTED MEMBERS ONLY) There were no declarations of interest made in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 3. MINUTES The minute of meeting of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff of 20 November 2023 was submitted and approved as a correct record, subject to the following addition under Item 7: “M Mackie advised that there was presently a study being undertaken by Aberdeen University, ‘Faculty Structures 20 Years On’, which is the first study of its kind on these matters.” 4. MATTERS ARISING S Devlin advised that, in relation to removable devices, the Council’s IT department had agreed to set up ‘amnesty bins’ in Council buildings in which to dispose of removable devices.
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M Mackie advised that he had been in contact with the Council’s HR team regarding ‘Faculty Structures 20 Years On’ mentioned, adding that he would be happy to circulate. 5. UPDATE ON VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION J Martin delivered an update to members on violence and aggression. In presenting, J Martin advised those present that she had attended the third national summit on violence and aggression, and that the first research since 2016 was being conducted into this issue. J Martin further advised that staff reporting of incidents had been generally positive, although more so in the primary sector than secondary. J Martin advised those present that there had been a rise in a number of areas, including an increase in the most serious areas of disruptive behaviour, with physical violence prevalent from P1 to P3. J Martin also advised of new areas which had developed since 2016, including vaping, misogyny, use of smart phones in a negative manner and in-school truancy. J Martin also advised those present that J Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary, was in attendance at the summit and spoke of a national strategy, to be implemented at a local level. M Mackie advised that there are cost free solutions through adopting effective policies and applying them consistently. C Weston raised a query regarding the extra supports that would be required in terms of budgetary issues. Councillor Rebbeck acknowledged that there were challenges in this regard in terms of budget, but advised that a Promise Delivery Lead had been invested in. S Devlin further advised that there was a view to maximising the use of the staff training budget. The committee noted the update. 6. UPDATE ON EDUCATION REFORM There was submitted an update (G/24/14) regarding Education Reform. In presenting, D Macluskey advised that the update was on ongoing reform, and advised that, whilst much of the information would already be known to members of the Committee, the purposes of this update was to give a view on the whole picture. D Macluskey also advised that post-school reform was largely waiting on the outcomes of the Hayward Review. With regards to PISA results, S Devlin expressed caution with these due to the difficulties in comparing different education system, and advised that there was presently no suggestion of introducing a standardised national system. S Devlin highlighted the importance of knowing the end vision, in order to be able to take planned steps towards that over a period of time. The Committee noted the contents of G/24/14.
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7. BUDGET UPDATE S Devlin, Strategic Lead – Education and Learning, delivered a verbal update, with accompanying slide-based presentation, on the Budget. The slides were sent to members as separate copy. In presenting, S Devlin covered areas such as Expenditure Pressures, Education and Learning Central Savings, Education and Learning DSM Savings, Education and Learning Whole Service Savings and Budget Motion Funding. In response to a query from M Mackie on the rationalisation of staff from across Education and Learning, and what form this could take, S Devlin advised that this could include any staff from across Education and Learning. The Committee noted the update. 8. STUDENT PLACEMENT SYSTEM BRIEFING FEBRUARY 2024 There was submitted a Briefing Note (G/24/15), providing an update on the student placement system. In introducing the briefing, G Doogan highlighted the importance of ensuring a smoothness in the transition year between student and qualified teacher. In response to a query from C Weston regarding the potential increased workload for headteachers in this regard, G Doogan advised that contact would be made with headteachers and support provided. The Committee noted the contents of G/24/15. 9. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS S Devlin advised that this would be L Gordon’s last meeting of the Committee before moving onto a new role and leaving her role on the Committee. S Devlin thanked L Gordon for her contributions to the Committee and wished her all the best for the future. 10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The date of the next meeting of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff will be 10 June 2024.