Printed minutes
Argyll and Bute Council · 27 August 2026
Back to Community Services Committee — 27 August 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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MINUTES of MEETING of COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE held in the ON A HYBRID BASIS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, KILMORY, LOCHGILPHEAD AND BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on THURSDAY, 27 AUGUST 2026 Present: Councillor Kieron Green (Chair) Also Present: Councillor Maurice Corry Councillor Audrey Forrest Councillor Anne Horn Councillor Fiona Howard Councillor Paul Donald Kennedy Councillor Dougie McFadzean Councillor Peter Wallace Councillor Yvonne McNeilly Councillor Gemma Penfold Margaret Anderson Lorna Stewart Daniel Semple Attending: Douglas Hendry, Executive Director Wendy Brownlie, Head of Education: Learning and Teaching Jen Crocket, Head of Education: Wellbeing, Inclusion and Achievement Jane Fowler, Head of Customer Support Services Simon McAdam, Education Manager Simon Easton, Education Manager Scott McKinnon, Developing the Young Workforce Lead Stuart McLean, Committee Manager Graeme McMillan, Transformation Programme Manager Chief Superintendent Gary I’Anson, Police Scotland Detective Inspector Graham McCreadie, Police Scotland Chief Inspector James MacArthur, Police Scotland Group Commander Kenny McCartney, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service Kristin Gillies, Head of Planning, Performance & Technology, Argyll & Bute HSCP Paul Ashworth, Services and Support Manager, Live Argyll 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jan Brown, Amanda Hampsey, Daniel Hampsey and Graham Hardie. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillor Maurice Corry declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 10 of the agenda (Live Argyll – Community Learning and Development Report 2025-26) by reason that he had been appointed to the Live Argyll Board by the Council. Having taken note of the updated Standards Commission Guidance in relation to declarations (issued on 7 December 2021) with specific reference to section 5.4(c) he did not consider that he had a relevant connection and as such would remain in the meeting during the consideration of this item of Business. 3. MINUTE The Minute of the Community Services Committee held on 4 June 2026 was approved as a correct record.
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4. POLICE SCOTLAND ARGYLL & BUTE PERFORMANCE SUMMARY REPORT - REPORTING PERIOD: APRIL 2026 - JUNE 2026 Chief Superintendent Gary I’Anson presented the Argyll and Bute Performance Summary Report of Police Scotland’s Policing Priorities for April 2026 – June 2026. With the aid of power point slides, a presentation on local activities was also given by Detective Inspector Graham McCreadie and Chief Inspector James McArthur and thereafter Officers responded to questions asked. Decision The Community Services Committee reviewed and noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report for April 2026 – June 2026 by Divisional Commander for Argyll & Bute & West Dunbartonshire Division, Police Scotland, submitted) 5. SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE - ARGYLL & BUTE PERFORMANCE AND SCRUTINY GROUP 2026-27 Q1 SCRUTINY REPORT With the aid of power point slides, Group Commander Kenny McCartney presented a report highlighting Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s review of local performance and partnership working within Argyll and Bute for Q1 (1 April – 30 June 2026) and responded to questions asked. Decision The Community Services Committee reviewed and noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Q1 2026/27 Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted) 6. ARGYLL & BUTE HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP - PERFORMANCE REPORT - FQ4 2025/26 (JANUARY - MARCH) A report detailing performance for FQ4 (January – March 2026) 2025/26 for Argyll & Bute Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) was before the Committee for consideration. Decision The Community Services Committee: 1. acknowledged performance for FQ4 2025/26 (January - March) against latest Key Performance Indicators within the Integrated Performance Management Framework for 2025/26; and 2. acknowledged the streamlining of additional Argyll and Bute HSCP performance metrics aligned to national reporting across the following areas: • Scottish Government National Health & Wellbeing Outcomes • Scottish Government Ministerial Steering Group Integration Indicators • Centre for Sustainable Delivery Unscheduled Care • Planned Care within the Operational Improvement Plan • Scottish Government Delayed Discharges Sitrep
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(Report by Senior Manager Performance & Improvement, Argyll & Bute HSCP dated 27 August 2026, submitted) 7. ARGYLL AND BUTE EDUCATION SERVICE - PROGRESS AND IMPACT REPORT 2025-2026 AND STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2029 A report providing the Committee with an update on the progress made by the Education Service in achieving the priorities included in the Argyll and Bute Strategic Plan for 2024- 26 (2025-26 update) was considered. Decision The Community Services Committee: 1. noted the progress made with respect to priority actions within the 2024-2026 Education Strategic Plan (2025-2026 update) outlined in the Education Service Progress and Impact Report 2024-2026; 2. approved the Education Service Progress and Impact Report 2025-2026 and Strategic Plan 2026-2029, attached at appendix 1 of the report; 3. approved the publication of the Education Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and The Education Service Progress and Impact Report 2025-2026 on the Council Website; and 4. approved the submission of the Education Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and The Education Service Progress and Impact Report 2025-2026 to Scottish Government. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated July 2026, submitted) 8. QUALIFICATION SCOTLAND SCHOOL EXAMINATION RESULTS 2026 Consideration was given to a report providing an update on the initial outcome of the Qualifications Scotland (QS) 2026 examination diet for young people in Argyll and Bute. Decision The Community Services Committee: 1. noted the guidance from QS, detailed at paragraph 4.3 of the report, about qualitative comparisons of data over recent years, with reference to ‘pre-pandemic’ data in 2018/19; 2. noted the outcome of the initial QS examination results for pupils in academic year 2025/26, and that the performance of Argyll and Bute Schools in 2026 was in line with local authority run schools nationally at National 5 (A-D), above in Higher (A-D) and slightly below at Advanced Higher (A-D); 3. noted that within the authority, performance against 2025 improved in three of six pass rate measures (Higher at both A-C and A-D and Advanced Higher A-D). Presentation rates for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels increased. The average number of National 5s sat by our S4 pupils was the highest it has been in the
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last 11 years. Twinned with increased pass rates, this year’s diet saw an overall increase in the number of awards per presenting pupil at S5. Performance in S4 was in line with last year and ahead of 2024; and 4. requested that the Executive Director provide further reports to the Community Services Committee to allow the consideration of updated statistical school and national information, scheduled to be released by Insight (school data analysis tool) in September 2026 and February 2027. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 27 August 2026, submitted) 9. DEVELOPING THE YOUNG WORKFORCE - 2025-2026 The Committee gave consideration to a report summarising the work and progress across Argyll and Bute Council relating to Developing the Young Workforce (DYW). Decision The Community Services Committee: 1. noted the scope, variety and impact of DYW initiatives and activities across Argyll and Bute; 2. acknowledged the importance of the Scottish Government’s continued policy commitment to DYW, and associated funding for regional DYW Groups; 3. recognised the contribution of the DYW team and its work towards securing and sustaining Argyll and Bute a position in the leading 10 Scottish Local Authorities with regards to the Annual Participation Measure, in which we placed 10th out of 32 in the period April 2024 to March 2025; and 4. recognised the contribution of the DYW team and its work towards the improved 2024- 2025 School Leaver Initial and Follow-up Positive Destinations figures for Argyll and Bute. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 29 July 2026, submitted) The Committee adjourned for lunch at 1.25pm and reconvened at 2.00pm with all those present as per the sederunt, with the exception of Councillor Paul Kennedy, and Margaret Anderson. 10. LIVEARGYLL - COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2025- 26 A report providing an update on the performance of liveArgyll’s Community Learning Services and specifically the provision of Adult Learning and Youth Services, in session 2025/2026 was considered. Decision The Community Services Committee:
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1. recognised the significant improvements and strengths achieved by Community Learning and the Community Learning and Development (CLD) Strategic Partnership, particularly with regard to Adult Learning and associated reporting on participation, accredited achievement and wider achievement; 2. recognised the increased capacity of the CLD Partnership to evaluate performance against defined performance measures, report more effectively and to improve performance through more data-rich approaches; 3. recognised the contribution to positive outcomes for young people and adult learners in Argyll and Bute resulting from Community Learning’s work with and support of schools, its understanding of the needs of individuals, groups and communities, and its provision to learners; and 4. acknowledged the ongoing positive contribution of liveArgyll Community Learning Officers in the delivery of Adult Learning and Youth Services. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 27 August 2026, submitted) 11. SCHOOLS (CONSULTATION) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2010 - STRONE PRIMARY SCHOOL Consideration was given to a report providing an update on the current status of Strone Primary School. Decision The Community Services Committee: 1. noted the decision of the Committee in August 2025, and the updated position of the school as set out within the report; 2. agreed that Strone Primary School continues to be temporarily closed and that the school premises be retained on a care and maintenance basis; 3. noted that any further requests for use of the school during the period of temporary closure would be considered in light of the proposed use, the current condition of the premises, and any existing lets; and 4. agreed that the Education Service would undertake the required preliminary engagement for Strone Primary School, in compliance with the preliminary requirements as set out in the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 and thereafter prepare an Options Appraisal for Members’ consideration at the December 2026 meeting of the Community Services Committee. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 9 July 2026, submitted) 12. EDUCATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2016 - GAELIC MEDIUM PRIMARY EDUCATION REQUEST Consideration was given to a report providing information on a parental request for Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE) and seeking agreement on the next steps for
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assessing the request in accordance with the process set out in the Education (Scotland) Act 2016. Decision The Community Services Committee: 1. noted the receipt of the GMPE request, which required to be assessed in accordance with the 2016 Act; 2. agreed to designate Mid Argyll as the GMPE Assessment Area; 3. agreed that the initial assessment identified a potential need for GMPE within the GMPE Assessment Area; 4. instructed the Education Service to undertake a full assessment of need within the GMPE Assessment Area; and 5. agreed that the findings of the full assessment would be reported to the December 2026 meeting of the Committee, for consideration of whether GMPE should be secured within the GMPE Assessment Area. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 4th August 2026, submitted) 13. GAELIC LANGUAGE PROGRESS REPORT 16 DECEMBER 2024 - 16 DECEMBER 2025 A report providing an update on progress that the Council is making on the delivery of the statutory Gaelic Language Plan was considered. Decision The Community Services Committee noted the good progress that is being made in relation to the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated August 2026, submitted) 14. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE WORK PLAN 2026 - 2027 The Community Services Committee work plan for 2026 - 2027 was before the Committee for information. Decision The Committee noted the contents of the work plan. (Reference: Community Services Committee Work Plan 2026 - 2027, submitted)