Meeting Details

In terms of Standing Order 20 and the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, there were no declarations from group leaders or spokespersons in regard to any prior decisions taken on how Members will vote on any item on the agenda or any declarations of Member’s interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

The minute of the meeting of the Children and Young People's Services Committee dated 27 June 2018 was submitted and approved.

With reference to paragraph 8 of the minute of the previous minute of this meeting on 27 June 2018, the Acting Corporate Director (Education and Social Care) updated the Committee on Northern Alliance Regional Improvement Plan.  He confirmed that the Plan was submitted to the Scottish Government for review and it is also currently being reviewed by Tayside Regional Improvement Collaborative, with feedback then going back to the Scottish Government with an expected response, including the response from the Scottish Government and Education Scotland later this month or next month.  He further added that an update report should be available for Committee in November.

The Committee noted that no written questions had been submitted.

A Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor Eagle, seconded by Councillor Feaver in the following terms:

CPR is a vital lifesaving technique that can significantly increase survival rates for those that suffer from a sudden cardiac arrest. Evidence has shown that where CPR is taught to every pupil in schools it has an impact on survival rates. In Denmark the survival rate tripled after the introduction of this measure.

Secondary schools across Moray already delivery CPR training including Elgin Academy and Buckie High who purchased equipment last year. We would like to see Moray Council  join the growing number of Scottish local authorities to ensure that all pupils in Secondary school leaves school with the skills to be able to carry out CPR.

We therefore propose that this committee –

1. Notes the attached letter from the British Heart Foundation Scotland
2. Instructs the Director of Education to write to Daniel Jones, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, British Heart Foundation Scotland to invite him to meet to discuss how best Moray Council can bring forward proposals around delivering training to secondary school pupils on CPR.

The Head of Schools and Curriculum Development echoed the importance of pupils having these skills and confirmed that all pupils in Moray’s secondary schools currently receive CPR training thanks to the Keiran McKandie Legacy charity.  Pupils in S5 and S6 are also receiving more advanced certificated training.

Councillor Coy indicated that she was happy to support the motion, however expressed concern at using just one organisation for the training.

In response, the Head of Schools and Curriculum Development indicated that schools are inundated with offers from various training organisations and it was important to ensure that any training taken up meets with the curriculum needs of the school.

Councillor Coy proposed an amendment to the motion to include a third proposal, namely to consider alternative providers for the training as well as the British Heart Foundation.

As there was no one otherwise minded the motion was agreed with the addition of the third proposal.

A report by the Acting Corporate Director (Education and Social Care) informed Committee of the development of a strategic plan for the Council's school estate.

Following consideration the Committee agreed:

1. to note the contents of the report;
2. to approve the assumptions and principles as detailed in paragraphs 3.7 and 3.8 of the report; and
3. that a draft strategy based on the approved assumptions and principles is submitted to a future meeting of this Committee.

A report by the Acting Corporate Director (Education and Social Care) informed Committee of the outcome of the strategic and place-based Community Learning and Development (CLD) inspection.

Following consideration, the Committee agreed to note the content of the report and the Community Learning and Development Improvement Plan.

A report by the Acting Corporate Director (Education and Social Care) informed Committee of the content of singleton inspection reports of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) centres by the Care Inspectorate which were published during June to August 2018. 

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

A report by the Acting Corporate Director (Education and Social Care) updated the Committee on the grant funding for Early Learning and Childcare partner providers in preparation for the expansion of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC).

Councillor Maclean sought clarification on the particular nursery providers who had received grants.

In response the Acting Corporate Director (Education and Social Care) indicated that as this information was in respect of some private businesses the information would be confidential and he felt it was of more importance to list the grants that had been distributed in the public domain without naming the particular nurseries.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note the contents of the report in relation to the agreement to provide infrastructure and training grant funding to partner providers subject to agreed criteria and conditions.

A report by the Acting Corporate Director (Education and Social Care) informed Committee of the outcomes of the recently published report on a Moray school following inspection by Education Scotland.

Following consideration the Committee noted the contents of the report.

A report by the Acting Corporate Director (Education and Social Care) informed Committee of projects and proposed expenditure for Capital Budgets within Education and Social Care for 2018/19.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

A report by the Acting Corporate Director (Education and Social Care) informed Committee of the budget position for Education and Children and Families Services as at 31 July 2018.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note the budget position at 31 July 2018.

A report by the Acting Corporate Director (Education and Social Care) informed Committee of the use of Additional Support Needs (ASN) techers to cover mainstream classes within Moray schools.

Following consideration the Committee noted the current position with regards to the use of ASN teachers to cover mainstream classes in Moray schools between August 2017 and June 2018.

Under reference to paragraph 18 of the minute of this meeting of 27 June 2018, Councillor Coy sought an update on the report looking at the reduced uptake of music tuition and what can be done to reduce the fees and increase the numbers for reasons of equity.

In response, the Head of Schools and Curriculum Development apologised for the report not being available, this was due to other conflicting priorities and assured Councillor Coy that a report would be available for the November meeting of this Committee.

Under reference to paragraph 18 of the minute of this meeting of 27 June 2018, Councillor Alexander sought clarification on the impact of shared subject  Principal Teachers e.g. in some schools there are no longer Principal Teachers in Biology, Physics and Chemistry and these posts have now been amalgamated to one Principal Teacher of Science.  He further sought clarification on the policy of making these appointments.

In response, the Head of Schools and Curriculum Development confirmed that the decisions on staffing are made by Head Teachers as part of the Devolved Schools Management budgets and often the decision was made as a result of there being no suitable applicants for the advertised jobs and not always for a monetary reason. 

Mrs Slater requested the figures for the number of Principal Teacher posts which were advertised and not filled which have since gone to Joint Principal Teacher posts?

The Head of Schools and Curriculum Development replied that she would arrange for the figures to be circulated following the meeting.

The Chair thanked the Reverend Ketley and Mr Hannan for their contribution during their time on the Committee.  Both are moving on and replacements will be sought shortly.