Live Argyll - Cld Monitoring and Performance Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 9 March 2023
Back to Community Services Committee — 9 March 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION SERVICES 9 MARCH 2023 LIVE ARGYLL – CLD MONITORING AND PERFORMANCE REPORT 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide the Community Services Committee with an update on the performance of Live Argyll’s provision of Community Learning and Development (CLD), and the monitoring and governance arrangements for CLD between liveArgyll (LA) and the Council as set out in the 30th June 2021 Transfer Agreement between the Council and the Trust. 1.2 This report also outlines the progress being made by the newly-formed multi- agency CLD Strategic Partnership in delivering key priorities within the 2021- 2024 CLD Partnership Plan, with reference, where appropriate, to the findings of the His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) Inspection of CLD in Argyll and Bute. Please refer to Appendix A – CLD Partnership Annual Report September 2021-August 2022. 1.3 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee note the contents of the report.
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2 ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION SERVICES 9 MARCH 2023 LIVE ARGYLL – CLD MONITORING AND PERFORMANCE REPORTING - 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 The Community Learning team transitioned successfully from Argyll and Bute Council to liveArgyll on 30th June 2021, sitting within liveArgyll’s Business Development team. A service delivery specification is in place and this is reviewed six-monthly as part of the council’s monitoring arrangements. A new multi-agency strategic group was formed mid-2021, led by liveArgyll, and the new strategic three year plan was developed following an extensive consultation exercise with partners and learners. https://liveargyll.co.uk/community-learning-and-development-strategic- partnership-plan/ 2.2 In November 2021, Education Scotland visited Argyll and Bute for a second follow-up inspection of CLD services and provision in the authority, subsequent to inspections in February 2019 and March 2020. Significant improvements in performance were highlighted, and HMIe indicated that there would be no further inspection visits. 2.3 A report on progress towards delivering the priorities of the Argyll and Bute CLD Plan 2021-2024 was prepared and published by liveArgyll in December 2022, and is included in Appendix A below. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee notes the contents of the report. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 The Council approved the transfer of its Community Learning and Development Service to liveArgyll effective 30th June 2021. The agreement amongst other things stipulates: LiveArgyll’s responsibility for ensuring that the four statutory obligations, as set out in the Community Learning and Development (Scotland)
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3 Regulations 2013, are met. In doing so liveArgyll ensures: o clarity on what CLD is and who the priority groups for CLD provision are within the authority – liveArgyll will deliver all CLD service requirements that meet both the service specification set out by the Council, and Education Scotland requirements. o the relevance and impact of CLD provision in the area by looking at the needs of the priority groups and individuals. o it involves and consults with priority groups, individuals and stakeholders to find out what they need and want, including an extensive consultation process to inform development of the new CLD plan priorities. o it creates and publishes a CLD plan every three years, and takes the lead role in the development of the new plan, with periodic progress reports prepared for the Community Services Committee. 4.3 Argyll and Bute Council retain a governance role working alongside liveArgyll. The agreement provides for reporting and monitoring via Education Services to the Council. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT 4.7 In order to establish the extent to which liveArgyll have complied in the provision of the services, and with defined monitoring and reporting protocols, Education Service officers retain an overview of activity and progress towards aims and objectives via regular strategic meetings with senior liveArgyll officers. Annual reports are produced alongside published independent inspection reports. PERFORMANCE REPORT 4.8 LiveArgyll is deemed to be performing very well in its provision of CLD across Argyll and Bute. The September 2021 to August 2022 Argyll and Bute CLD annual report clearly highlights the positive impact of services and liveArgyll’s commitment to delivering on its shared aims and objectives. The report highlights several key areas of work, with specific focus on improved partnership working, and projects which are designed to improve the health and wellbeing of people within our communities. A number of examples and case studies are included in the report: New quarterly local CLD partnership meetings held across Argyll and Bute, designed to support better partnership working within each community.
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4 Oidhche Earra-Ghàidheal le – a project conceived by Argyll and Bute Council to provide an opportunity for the Gaelic community in Argyll and Bute to come together and celebrate its cultural vibrancy and talent. Making Mindful Music – The liveArgyll Community Learning (CL) Team in Kintyre has worked in partnership with The Kintyre Link Club, a local mental health club run by members for members, with its main aim being to promote the welfare of those who suffer or have suffered from mental ill health. No Wrong Path - Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG) Pre-Employment Support (delivered by WorkingRite – member of the Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership) Sawa “New Scots” Project – Bute has a history of being welcoming, and “Sawa” means ‘together’ in Arabic. The project was set up to provide a ‘cultural bridge’ between existing residents and ‘new Scots’ who are recent arrivals to the island, and is run by volunteers. In addition to the positive case studies in the annual report, the visit to Argyll and Bute by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in November 2021 – a follow up to visits in February 2019 and March 2020 – identified significant improvements and key strengths in CLD provision, relating in particular to the following areas: The leadership and governance of CLD Communication between CLD leaders and staff The empowerment and confidence of CLD staff The consultation process relating to the 2021-2024 CLD Plan The CLD partnership’s sub-group approach to strategic planning and self- evaluation The outward looking approach of CLD Argyll and Bute, connecting to and learning from other local authorities. Partnership working The voice of young people in CLD decision-making and planning 2. Poverty 3. Core skills for learning, life and FINANCIAL POSITION 4.9 liveArgyll continue to manage their financial position including the resources made available to deliver on the Service Level Agreement with the Council. To date liveArgyll has been able to maintain the base level of resources whilst also absorbing payroll inflationary pressures. Discussions are on-going in respect of future funding, and any direct implications it may have for the provision of Community Learning and Development services in Argyll and Bute. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The current arrangements between the Council and liveArgyll are working extremely well. A significant amount of progress has been made since the transfer of liveArgyll to the Council, as demonstrated by recent HMIe
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5 independent inspection of the service which identified key strengths. A strong partnership is in place and continues to grow and develop. Given the transfer of service took place during the extraordinary pandemic period, liveArgyll are to be commended for their successes to date. Satisfactory arrangements are in place in respect of fulfilling all CLD obligations and Council expectations as set out in the agreement. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy - In line with Council policy in relation to transfer agreement. 6.2 Financial – None 6.3 Legal - In line with relevant contractual agreements between Council and Live Argyll 6.4 HR - None 6.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: None 6.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – None 6.5.2 Socio-economic Duty: 6.5.3 Islands – None 6.6 Climate Change - None 6.7 Risk – as outlined in body or report above 6.8 Customer Service - None Douglas Hendry - Executive Director with responsibility for Education Councillor Yvonne McNeilly - Policy Lead for Education For further information contact: Simon Easton – Education Manager Email: Simon.easton@argyll-bute.gov.uk Tel: 01436 657681 February 2023 Appendix A – CLD Partnership Annual Report September 2021-August 2022