Children, Young People and Lifelong Learning Committee Minutes

21 members present and 6 apologies

NONE declared

MEMBER: Robert McQuistan entered the meeting - 22 Members present

Decision

APPROVED

Decision

AGREED the Dumfries and Galloway local operating guidance for the Pupil Equity Fund as set out in Appendix 1, noting the associated statutory requirements for School Improvement Planning and School Improvement Progress Reporting within the new education authority duties.

Decision

NOTED

5.1  the updated priority order as detailed in section 3.1 to 3.2 and the Appendix; 

5.2  the financial position for 2016/17 as detailed in section 3.3; and

5.3  the information on the final investment projects for 600 hours of Early Learning and Childcare, as detailed in 3.4

 

Decision

NOTED

6.1 the complexities and associated risks of planning for the expansion of Early Learning and Childcare prior to Government funding being released;

6.2 the request for a multi-year spending profile from Scottish Government to mitigate the risks of delivery by 2020;

6.3 AGREED the strategy for Early Learning and Childcare in planning for the expansion of 1140hrs be 2020 as detailed in paragraph 3.2 subject to the Director arranging to fully engage with all partner providers, parents and other stakeholders

6.4 NOTED that Early Learning and Childcare services will be procured through the Early Learning and Childcare framework 3.2.2;  

6.5 AGREED to commission new providers where there is no duplication of provision, prior to procuring services through the Early Learning and Childcare framework as detailed in 3.2.3;

6.6 NOTED the progress of the planned trial in the Newton Stewart area as outlined in paragraphs 4.1,4.2 1nd 4.3; and

6.7 AGREED the first phase of the capital programme outlined in paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2

MEMBER - Ian Blake left the meeting - 21 Members Present
 

Decision

NOTED

7.1  the work undertaken to complete the Service Review for Supporting Lifelong Learning;

7.2  the more streamlined approach taken to this specific review due to the circumstances outlined at paragraphs 3.9 - 3.13;

AGREED  

7.3  that implementing Option 1 - Enhanced Partnership Model with initial re-alignment of internal Council Services- as outlined at 4.0 - 4.31 would ensure that our available Council Lifelong Learning resources are targeted at those in most need and that this model builds in flexibility for the future to consider the emerging internal and external influences as outlined at 3.56

7.4  to the recommendations associated with implementing Option 1 as part of Phase 1 as follows:

7.4.1 Recommendation One - to re-align Adult Learning, Family Learning, Learning in Libraries and Coach Education within the CYPLL Lifelong Learning Team. An initial Year 1 Saving of £40,000 would be achievable through this model. This would see our existing front line resource being utilised more flexibly to target and support our most vulnerable; those experiencing poverty; help to bridge the skills gap and will be informed through the work stemming from recommendation two and as outlined at paragraphs 4.3 - 4.6;

7.4.2 Recommendation Two - this will be developed alongside recommendation one to inform and support the shift in resources to support our most vulnerable. This will see a focus on fundamental Core skills development (i.e. numeracy and literacy) and the attainment of qualifications to assist with employability for those who currently do not have any recognised qualifications and as outlined at paragraphs 4.7 - 4.12;

7.4.3 Recommendation Two (A) - to support and complement recommendation two we also require to increase and widen our available Adult Tutor Base in order to support a revised focus for our work this will include promoting opportunities arising to our education workforce. We will also assess how we continue to build capacity and support our volunteers who play a critical role in delivering adult learning activities and as outlined at paragraphs 4.13 - 4.15;

7.4.4 Recommendation Three - Following the recent publication of the national review of Family Learning (Supporting Excellence and Equity - December 2016) and in recognition of the impact that Family Learning approaches can have on adults/families; to assess how we embed Family Learning approaches within our ethos; deliver on the recommendations stemming from the national review and develop a sustainable model for Family Centres and as outlined at paragraphs 4.16 - 4.19;

7.4.5 Recommendation Four - Agreeing and implementing a Framework for the targeted delivery of Lifelong Learning activities with our partners as detailed in Appendix 7 and which supports the principles outlined in the Adult Learning Statement of Ambition and New Skills Agenda for Europe but clearly focuses on delivering upon Council priorities and as outlined at paragraphs 4.20 - 4.23;

7.4.6 Recommendation Five - Exploring wider opportunities that exist for maximising cross sector Training, Learning & Development /Lifelong Learning opportunities through Community Planning Partners. This will look at how resources could be better shared and co-ordinated; how joint training needs could better met and how existing expertise (internal & external) could be better utilised and deployed, including identifying any associated efficiencies and to help inform a future Centre of Excellence Model and as outlined at paragraphs 4.24 - 4.31; and

7.5 that further consideration will be given to additional opportunities stemming from this review as part of a potential Phase 2 once the Outcome of the Government Review of Enterprise and Skills is known and as outlined paragraphs 4.32 - 4.39.
 

MEMBERS - Rev William R McFadden, Richard Brodie, Robert McQuistan, Janette Wilson and Gail Macgregor left the meeting - 17 members present

Decision

APPROVED the Wellbeing Team Work Plan 2017-2018 as shown at the Appendix

MEMBER - Gail Macgregor re-entered the meeting - 18 members present

MEMBER - Ronnie Nicholson left the meeting - 17 members present

Decision

NOTED that there was no business deemed urgent by the Chairman due to the need for a decision