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 meeting resolved in terms of Section 50A (4) and (5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as amended, the public and media representatives be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items of business appearing at the relevant paragraphs of this minute as specified below, so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in the appropriate paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

The minute of the meeting of the Children and Young People's Services Committee dated 30 October and 5 November 2019 was submitted and approved.

The Committee noted that no written questions had been submitted.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) invited the Committee to scrutinise and note the progress made by the Moray Learning and Teaching Strategy Group in developing 'Our Moray Standard' Infographic and Strategy for Learning and Teaching across Moray.

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

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development informed the Committee of the findings of the Schools for the Future Review visits to the Keith Grammar School Associated Schools Group (ASG) which took place between February and March 2019.

The Chair informed the Committee that the status quo for each school to remain as is, is also available as an option for Members.

The Business Support Team Manager confirmed that Nursery and Enhanced Provision is not included in the calculations. 

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note the report at Appendix 1.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) informed the Committee of the Primary and Secondary School Functional Capacities and Occupancy for session 2019/20.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note:

A report by the Chief Executive informed Committee of the work being done to Re-aligning Children's Services (RCS) Programme.

Re-assurance was sought that when the work is carried out through the Locality Management Groups that the practitioners in schools are included.  In response, Joyce Johnston, the Joint Acting Head of Children's Services confirmed that childcare workforce practitioners, children and their families are involved in the process.

The Chair confirmed that a Member's Briefing will be held at a future date to look at the programme.

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

A report by the Chief Executive informed the Committee of the outcome of the recent Care Inspectorate Audit which was undertaken on 27 September 2019 of Cala, Moray Council's residential child care provision, and to invite comment and scrutiny from the Committee.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to:

Under reference to paragraph 18 of the minute of the meeting 5 November 2019, a report by the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) advised the Committee on the annual National Improvement Plan return which is submitted to the Scottish Government.

The Head of Education clarified that the return for the current year had been sent to the Scottish Government in August and due to timings the Committee were unable to scrutinise the report before submission, however, Ms Cross advised that the Committee will be afforded the opportunity to scrutinise the 2020 submission.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note:

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) informed the Committee of the budget position for Education and Children and Families Services as at 31 October 2019.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note the budget position at 31 October 2019.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) informed the Committee of projects and proposed expenditure for Capital Budgets within Education and Social Care for 2019/20.

Councillor A McLean joined the meeting during the discussion of this item.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to:

Under reference to paragraph 23 of the minute of the meeting of 30 October and 5 November, Councillor Bremner sought an update on the information he had requested regarding the number of Climate Change Working Groups in operation in Schools.

In response the Head of Education confirmed that the majority of schools have ECO groups and look at the issue of climate change within the remit of these groups.

Under reference to paragraph 23 of the minute of the meeting of 30 October and 5 November, Councillor Ross thanked officers for circulating the new structure chart but asked whether the names of the officers could be added to the job titles.

In response, the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) confirmed that an updated chart would be circulated to members.

Mrs Belcher sought clarification on the status of Home Economics Teachers at Buckie High School as she had attended a meeting at the school and it was indicated that there were no HE Teachers at the school.

In response, the Head of Education confirmed she would find out the situation as she was not aware of the situation at the school.

Councillor Feaver sought clarification on the situation when College Lecturers are used in schools to fill subject gaps within the secondary schools and what happens if they are not GTC registered.

In response, the Head of Education confirmed that if a Lecturer is not GTC registered a GTC registered teacher will also be in attendance in the class.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Sonya Warren.

A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) provided the Committee with information and sought approval for the payment plan to be used to assess applications to the Moray and Nairn Educational Trust and to consider applications to the trust.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to approve the grants at the rates provided in the payment plan.