Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 18 May 2023
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 18 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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Minute of Meeting Education and Children's Services Policy Board Date Time Venue Thursday, 18 May 2023 13:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Jennifer Adam, Councillor Fiona Airlie-Nicolson, Provost Lorraine Cameron, Councillor Carolann Davidson, Councillor Audrey Doig, Councillor Gillian Graham, Councillor John Gray, Councillor Anne Hannigan, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Councillor David McGonigle, Councillor Iain McMillan, Councillor Will Mylet, Mr Jack Nellaney, Councillor Iain Nicolson, Councillor Jim Paterson, Councillor Emma Rodden, Councillor Ben Smith Chair Councillor Rodden, Convener, presided. In Attendance S Quinn, Director of Children's Services, A MacArthur, Director of Finance & Resources, J Calder, Head of Service (Early Years & Broad General Education), T McGillivray, Head of Schools (Senior Phase & Inclusion), J Trainer, Head of Childcare & Criminal Justice, L Johnston, Service Improvement Manager, S Bell, Education Manager (Whole Family Wellbeing) and M Kearney, Principal Psychologist (all Children's Services); A Morrison, Head of Economy & Development Services, L Mahon, Head of Marketing & Communications, L Adamson, Communications & Public Affairs Manager, D Christie, J Connolly and C Orr, all Senior Communications Officers (all Chief Executive's); and R Conway, Finance Manager, E Gray and C MacDonald, both Senior Committee Services Officers, J Barron, Assistant Committee Services Officer and D Pole, End User Technician (all Finance & Resources). Webcasting of Meeting Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Board would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council's internet site.
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Apologies Councillor Edward Grady, Mary Jane Bird and Ravinder Singh. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting. Transparency Statements Councillor Nicolson indicated that he had a connection to items 6, Care Inspectorate Inspection of Renfrewshire’s Adoption Service, and 7, Care Inspectorate Inspection of Renfrewshire’s Fostering Service by way of being a member of the Council's Adoption and Fostering Panel. However, he indicated that he had applied the objective test and did not consider he had an interest to declare. Councillor Davidson indicated that she had a connection to item 3, Children’s Services Service Improvement Plan 2022/23 Outturn Report, by way of having signed up to undertake the role of Promise Keeper. However, she indicated that she had applied the objective test and did not consider she had an interest to declare. Councillor Airlie-Nicolson indicated that she had a connection to item 3, Children’s Services Service Improvement Plan 2022/23 Outturn Report, by way of having signed up to undertake the role of Promise Keeper. However, she indicated that she had applied the objective test and did not consider she had an interest to declare. Statements by the Director of Children's Services At the request of the Convener, the Director of Children's Services read two statements to address recent events which required to be brought to the attention of the Policy Board. The first statement referred to the tragic death of Kayden Frank, aged four, which occurred on 15 May 2023. The Director passed on thoughts and prayers to Kayden's family and confirmed that the service would continue to support Police Scotland with their enquiries. The second statement referred to an incident which took place at Johnstone High School on 12 May 2023. Support had been offered to any pupil or staff member who required it following the incident. 1 Education Provision Dargavel Under reference to item 2 of the Minute of the meeting of this Policy Board held on 9 March 2023 there was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the proposed actions to provide sufficient education provision in Dargavel.
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The report referenced the capacity issues at the new Dargavel Primary School and provided detail on the work which had been undertaken to ensure that six modular classrooms would be installed and available for use for the beginning of the 2023/24 session. It was anticipated that the modular classrooms would create capacity for an additional 198 pupils and would ensure that all children due to enter Primary 1 in 2023 would be able to do so. It was noted that the Primary 1 intake for the 2024/25 session was expected to be capped at 75 pupils and that as a consequence there would be a requirement to apply the Council’s Admissions Policy. An update was also provided on the progress made towards planning for the construction of a new primary school on the Dargavel site. Following further investigation of the projected school roll, officers had recommended that the new school should have capacity for 800 pupils. Discussions were ongoing between officers and the site landowner, BAE Systems, to identify a suitable location for the school. Analysis had also been undertaken of future secondary school provision which resulted in a recommendation that Park Mains High School be extended to allow for an additional 400 pupils to be accommodated. Councillor Rodden, seconded by Councillor Paterson, moved: (a) That it be noted that the six new modular classrooms continue to be expected to be in place at Dargavel Primary School for August 2023; (b) That the planning figure for the new primary school for 800 pupils be approved; (c) That planning for an extension to Park Mains High School to accommodate an additional 400 pupils be approved; and (d) That it be noted that any changes to the above planning assumptions that may be required as a result of ongoing discussions with BAE would be reported back to this Policy Board. As an amendment, Councillor Gray, seconded by Councillor McGonigle, moved that the recommendations of the report be approved subject to replacing the third bullet point with: "That a site in or around Bishopton for a new high school to accommodate over 1000 pupils be identified." As a second amendment, Councillor Graham, seconded by Councillor Smith, moved that the recommendations of the report be approved subject to the addition of: "(a) That this Council will contact the Scottish Government and: (i) request its intervention to expedite the delivery of the additional Dargavel primary education provision, including mediating discussions between Renfrewshire Council and the landowner BAE;
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(ii) ask the Scottish Government to provide the necessary funding for the delivery of education provision to the Dargavel housing development to alleviate the cost to Renfrewshire tax-payers and ensure Renfrewshire Council does not need to cut existing services which are already extremely stretched; and (b) That a strategic masterplan, including options appraisals of educational provision for Dargavel, be produced before this Board commits to the £millions being proposed. This will not delay modular classroom provision and should be available for review by the Board by September 2023." As a third amendment, Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Audrey Doig, moved that the recommendations of the report be approved subject to the addition of the following to the third bullet point: "and that the planning figure of 400 be capped at total capacity for Park Mains High School of 2000. Board also agrees that modelling and planning of any possible future capacity demand for the catchment area be considered within the context of the wider Renfrewshire council school estate management plan." In terms of Standing Order 27, Councillors Rodden and Paterson, being the mover and seconder of the motion, accepted the third amendment as an addition to the motion. There remained the first amendment, the second amendment and the motion as amended. On the roll being called between the motion as amended and the first amendment the following members voted for the first amendment: Councillors Gray and McGonigle. The following members voted for the motion as amended: Councillors Adam, Airlie- Nicolson, Provost Cameron, Councillors Audrey Doig, Hannigan, Hughes, Mylet, Nicolson, Paterson and Rodden. The following members abstained: Councillors Davidson, Graham, McMillan, Mr Jack Nellaney and Councillor Smith. 2 members having voted for the first amendment, 10 members having voted for the motion as amended and 5 members having abstained a vote was then taken between the motion as amended and the second amendment. On the roll being called between the motion as amended and the second amendment the following members voted for the second amendment: Davidson, Graham, Gray, Hannigan, McGonigle, McMillan and Smith. The following members voted for the motion as amended: Councillors Adam, Airlie- Nicolson, Provost Cameron, Councillors Audrey Doig, Hughes, Mylet, Nicolson, Paterson and Rodden. The following member abstained: Mr Jack Nellaney. 7 members having voted for the amendment, 9 members having voted for the motion as amended and 1 member having abstained, the motion as amended was accordingly declared carried.
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DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that the six new modular classrooms continue to be expected to be in place at Dargavel Primary School for August 2023; (b) That the planning figure for the new primary school for 800 pupils be approved; (c) That planning for an extension to Park Mains High School to accommodate an additional 400 pupils be approved; and (d) That it be noted that any changes to the above planning assumptions that may be required as a result of ongoing discussions with BAE would be reported back to this Policy Board and that the planning figure of 400 be capped at total capacity for Park Mains High School of 2000; and (e) That it be agreed that modelling and planning of any possible future capacity demand for the catchment area be considered within the context of the wider Renfrewshire council school estate management plan. 2 Children’s Services Service Improvement Plan 2022/23 Outturn Report Under reference to item 1 of the Minute of the meeting of this Policy Board held on 9 June 2022, there was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the performance of Children’s Services for the twelve-month period covering 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 in relation to the Service Improvement Plan. The report provided a summary of performance for both the action plan and the service performance indicators, which were included as appendices to the report. It was reported that overall, the service had delivered on its priorities for the reporting period. A number of service updates and key achievements were highlighted in Section 4 of the report. DECIDED: (a) That the content of the report be noted; and (b) That the achievements of Children's Services during 2022/23 be noted. 3 Children’s Services 2023/2026 Service Improvement Plan There was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the Children’s Services Service Improvement Plan 2023/2026. The Service Improvement Plan was set out at Appendix 1 to the report. The Service Improvement Plan was designed to sit beneath the Council Plan, Community Plan, Risk Management Plan, and the Workforce Plan to form a suite of documents which provided the strategic direction for the service. The Plan identified the priorities being addressed, the key tasks to be implemented, the implementation timetable and the measures of success.
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It was noted that a mid-year progress update on the Service Improvement Plan would be submitted to a meeting of this Policy Board in the Autumn of 2023. DECIDED: (a) That the Children’s Services Service Improvement Plan 2023/2026, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved; and (b) That it be noted that mid-year progress of the Service Improvement Plan would be reported to a meeting of this Policy Board in the Autumn of 2023, with updates to the Performance Indicators and Action Plan. 4 Attainment of 2021/22 School Leavers There was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the performance of the 2021/22 leavers cohort in four key measures: attainment in literacy and numeracy; improving attainment for all; attainment versus deprivation; and leavers’ destinations. The Scottish Government's evaluation tool, INSIGHT, was used to benchmark the performance in each of the key measures. It was noted that due to the reporting period the results would have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The report set out the data for each key measure and made comparisons to previous years and the national average. Details on the poverty related attainment gap were provided together with the impact of the work which had been undertaken around improving attainment for all. DECIDED: (a) That the report be noted; and (b) That the efforts of Renfrewshire's young people and school communities in bringing about these results be noted. 5 Education Scotland Inspection of St Benedict’s High School There was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the results of an inspection of St Benedict's High School carried out by Education Scotland. A letter sent by Education Scotland to the parents and carers of pupils detailing the outcome of the inspection was appended to the report. An inspection of St Benedict's High School was carried out by Education Scotland in February 2023. The full model approach inspection was deployed and included a separate review of the Columba Flexible Learning Resource (FLR) (previously known as the Columba Base). Inspectors assessed the school and the Columba FLR with a focus on four quality indicators: Leadership of Learning; Learning, Teaching and Assessment; Ensuring Wellbeing, Equality and Inclusion; and Raising Attainment and Achievement. The inspection report advised that all quality indicators were evaluated as 'good'. Four key strengths were identified together with four areas for further improvement.
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DECIDED: That the key strengths identified in the Education Scotland inspection report of St Benedict's High School and Columba Flexible Learning Resource be noted and celebrated and that the areas for further improvement be recognised. 6 Care Inspectorate Inspection of Renfrewshire’s Adoption Service There was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the outcome of a Care Inspectorate inspection of Renfrewshire's Adoption Service. The Care Inspectorate Inspection Report was appended to the report. The Council's Adoption Service was inspected by the Care Inspectorate between January and March 2023. The inspection focused on two quality indicators: “How well do we support people’s wellbeing?” and “How well is our care and support planned?”. The Care Inspectorate graded the Adoption Service as good for the first indicator and very good for the second indicator. No recommendations or requirements were made by the Care Inspectorate in relation to the Renfrewshire Adoption Service. One area of improvement was identified for the Adoption Service in relation to ensuring that children who needed substitute care did not experience delay in planning and that the service continue to evaluate practice in this area. DECIDED: (a) That the positive outcome of the Care Inspectorate inspection of the Renfrewshire Adoption Service be noted; and (b) That the positive support provided by staff in the Adoption Service be noted. 7 Care Inspectorate Inspection of Renfrewshire's Fostering Service There was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the outcome of a Care Inspectorate inspection of Renfrewshire's Fostering Service. The Care Inspectorate Inspection Report was appended to the report. The Council's Fostering Service was inspected by the Care Inspectorate between January and March 2023. The inspection focused on two quality indicators: “How well do we support people’s wellbeing?” and “How well is our care and support planned?”. The Care Inspectorate graded the Fostering Service as good for both indicators. Two areas of improvement were identified for the Fostering Service. The first related to further development of the core training for foster carers. The second related to ensuring that children and young people had timely moves to permanent care, and that this was monitored robustly. DECIDED: (a) That the positive outcome of the Care Inspectorate inspection of the Renfrewshire Fostering Service be noted; and (b) That the positive support provided by staff in the Fostering Service be noted.
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8 Care Inspectorate Inspection of Renfrewshire’s Supported Carers Service There was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the outcome of a Care Inspectorate inspection of Renfrewshire's Supported Carers Service. The Care Inspectorate Inspection Report was appended to the report. The Council's Supported Carers Service was inspected by the Care Inspectorate between January and March 2023. The inspection focused on two quality indicators: “How well do we support people’s wellbeing?” and “How well is our care and support planned?”. The Care Inspectorate graded the Supported Carers Service as good for the first indicator and very good for the second indicator. No recommendations or requirements were made by the Care Inspectorate in relation to the Renfrewshire Supported Carers Service. Two areas of improvement were identified for the service for supported carers. The first area for improvement was that the service should further develop core training for carers and the second was that welfare assessments occur within timeframes and that carers and young people be informed of this process in advance. DECIDED: (a) That the positive outcome of the Care Inspectorate inspection of the Renfrewshire Supported Carers Service be noted; and (b) That the positive support provided by staff in the Supported Carers Service be noted. 9 Duty of Candour – Annual Report There was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to the annual report on the Duty of Candour as required by the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016. The report set out details on the number of incidents or events where the duty of candour was triggered for the period April 2022 to March 2023, how the policy was followed in these incidents and any learning from the incidents. Renfrewshire had no reportable duty of candour incidents during the period covered by the report. DECIDED: That the annual duty of candour report be noted. 10 Valedictory The Convener advised that this was the last meeting of the Policy Board that Steven Quinn, Director of Children's Services would attend before he moved to East Renfrewshire to take up the post of Chief Executive. The Convener took the opportunity to wish him all the best for the future and to thank him for service to the Council, making reference to the help, support and advice he had provided. Other elected members took the opportunity to echo the sentiments expressed by the Convener.