Children And Families Services Committee - 25/10/2021

At a MEETING of the CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES COMMITTEE held remotely on 25th October, 2021.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

External members for Articles I to V

Ms M LECK, Roman Catholic Church Representative

Mrs M McVEAN, Church of Scotland Representative

Ms J BARCLAY, Teacher Representative

Mr D BAXTER, Teacher Representative

Mrs T JAVED, Parent Representative

Mr J ANDERSON-McGUINNESS, Parent Representative

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 6th September, 2021 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II PARENT AND CHURCH/RELIGIOUS REPRESENTATION ON THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES COMMITTEE

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 6th September, 2021, wherein a pupil representative and a parent member representing the secondary sector were appointed to this Committee with the primary and Church/Religious representative to be nominated in due course.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN33-2021 reporting that Mrs Tara Javed from Forthill Primary Parent Council had been nominated as the primary sector representative by the Parent Council Body.

Mrs Margaret McVean had been nominated as the Church of Scotland representative.

The nominees had agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct in accordance with the Standards Commissions Guidance.

The Committee agreed the above appointments.

III PROPOSAL TO MOVE MONDAY, 30TH MAY, 2022 SCHOOL HOLIDAY TO FRIDAY, 3RD JUNE, 2022 TO MARK PLATINUM JUBILEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN26-2021 reporting that the UK Government had recently announced a change to the date of the May Bank Holiday next year which had been moved to Thursday, 2nd June, 2022 to coincide with celebrations for the Queens Platinum Jubilee with an extra bank holiday on Friday, 3rd June, 2022.

The Scottish Government contacted Councils at the end of June, 2021 requesting that consideration be given to, where possible, scheduling school holidays/in-service days to allow as many people as possible to participate in any celebrations planned for this significant anniversary.

The Scottish Government had agreed that local authorities could ask for an exceptional closure of school establishments for one of these days. Due to a number of factors, namely current in-service days and public holidays already scheduled for the school session 2021/2022, and to minimise further disruption, it was proposed that Dundee City Council seeks approval from the Scottish Government for an exceptional closure day for Thursday, 2nd June, 2022.

It was also proposed that the school holiday planned for Monday, 30th May, 2022 be moved to Friday, 3rd June, 2022. Trade Unions, Head Teachers and Parent Council Chairs had been consulted on these proposed changes.

The Committee approved accordingly.

IV REALIGNMENT OF FEEDER PRIMARIES AND PRIMARY CATCHMENT AREAS OF CLUSTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATED TO HARRIS ACADEMY - OUTCOMEOF THE FORMAL CONSULTATION PROCESS

The Committee acceded to a request for a deputation to address the Committee relative to this item of business. After the deputation had stated their case they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 27th January, 2020, there was submitted Report No 287-2021 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service. The report contained the Formal Consultation Report, in terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, on the following proposals:-

(i) the removal of Invergowrie Primary School's status as an associated primary to Harris Academy from August, 2021; and

(ii) the revision of catchment areas for Ancrum Road Primary School, Blackness Primary School, Camperdown Primary School, Tayview Primary School and Victoria Park Primary School from August, 2021.

Thereafter, the Convener, seconded by Councillor Smith, moved that the Committee:-

(i) note the contents of the Committee report;

(ii) note the accompanying Consultation Report, including the report by Her Majestys Inspectorate of Education (HMIE)/Education Scotland on the proposal;

(iii) instruct the Executive Director to proceed in part with the proposals;

(iv) approve the revision of the catchment areas for Ancrum Road Primary School, Blackness Primary School, Camperdown Primary School, Tayview Primary School and Victoria Park Primary School with a revised date of August, 2022 resulting from delays as a consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic;

(v) not approve the proposal to remove Invergowrie Primary School's status as an associated primary to Harris Academy;

(vi) approve the proposal from Perth and Kinross Council to pay for the capital costs of extending Harris Academy; and

(vii) delegate powers to relevant officers, including the Chief Executive, the Executive Director of City Development, the Executive Director of Corporate Services, the Executive Director of Children and Families Service and the Head of Democratic and Legal Services, to conclude all arrangements in connection with this matter (provided that the officers shall not let a contract for the construction of the Harris Academy Extension until a binding legal agreement had been entered into by Perth and Kinross Council reflecting the terms of this report and containing such other provisions as the officers think appropriate or necessary).

As an amendment, Councillor Marra, seconded by Bailie Keenan, moved that Committee also instructs Council Officers to discuss with Perth and Kinross Council counterparts the reservation of spaces at Invergowrie Primary School for children living in the Western Gateway up until the opening of the new school currently projected for 2025.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Borthwick, Depute Lord Provost Campbell, Bailies Roberts, Sawers and Macpherson and Councillors Alexander, Cordell, Dawson, Flynn, Rendall, Rome, Short, Smith, Duncan and Murray and Mrs McVean (17); and for the amendment - Bailies Keenan, Wright and Scott, and Councillors McCready, McIrvine, Malone, Marra, Richardson, Hay, Scott and Ross and Mrs Leck, Mr Baxter and Ms Barclay (14) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

V MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING SERVICES AND SUPPORT

There was submitted Report No 288-2021 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service providing an overview of the national Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme, the Tayside Regional Improvement Collaborative (TRIC) Emotional Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Children and Young People 2021/2023 and associated local developments. It included an outline of initial analyses of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how this was being used to inform these developments.

The Committee:

(i) noted the National Health and Wellbeing Programme alongside regional and local developments to improve support to children and young people;

(ii) noted how additional challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic were informing developments in preventative, early intervention and targeted support; and

(iii) instructed the Executive Director to keep the implementation and outcomes of approaches under review and provide an update report in 12 months.

At this juncture, external members of the Committee departed.

VI CARE EXPERIENCED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th March, 2021, there was submitted Report No 289-2021 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service providing the first progress report on the implementation of Our Promise to Care Experienced Children, Young People and Care Leavers 2021/2023. The report outlined how the Council had worked with partner services over the last 6 to 12 months to continue to enhance support in accordance with the five foundations of The Promise outlined by the Independent Care Review. It also outlined some of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and how support had been adapted and maintained during this period.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the progress made in the implementation of Our Promise to Care Experienced Children, Young People and Care Leavers 2021/2023; and

(ii) instructed the Executive Director of the Children and Families Service to provide a further update report in 12 months time.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.