Scrutiny Committee - 08/12/2010

At a MEETING of the SCRUTINY COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 8th December, 2010.

Present:-

Bailie Willie SAWERS

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th October, 2010 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ACTION POINTS

(i) AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT - PARK PLACE NURSERY SCHOOL AND LONGHAUGH PRIMARY SCHOOL

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th October, 2010, wherein it was remitted to the Director of Education to report back to this meeting on the action taken with regard to areas for improvement.

The Director of Education reminded the Committee of the areas for improvement, requirements and recommendations and the Committee noted that a full Action Plan had been developed by the schools.

II SUMMARY OF EXTERNAL INSPECTION REPORTS FOR WHICH ALL GRADES ARE GOOD OR BETTER

There was submitted Report No 690-2010 by the Chief Executive providing a summary of recent inspection reports by the Care Commission which do not require in-depth scrutiny.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the summaries of recent external inspection reports, all of which received grades of good or better in all areas covered by the inspection; and

(ii) remitted to the Directors of Social Work and Education to ensure that the areas for improvement, requirements and recommendations included in each report were acted upon, both in relation to the service inspected and as guidance on good practice for other services.

III AUDIT SCOTLAND RISK ASSESSMENT REPORT ON THE REVENUE DIVISIONS HOUSING AND COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT SERVICE

There was submitted Report No 705-2010 by the Director of Finance informing elected members of the recent risk assessment audit undertaken by Audit Scotland on the Revenue Division's Housing and Council Tax Benefit service.

The Committee approved the Action Plan prepared by officers to address the recommendations contained within the Audit Scotland report.

IV EMPLOYEES

The Committee agreed to record their appreciation in respect of the excellent work carried out by employees within the above establishments and remitted to the Chief Executive to write in appropriate terms.

The Committee agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

V USE OF INDICATORS AND GRADINGS IN FOLLOW-THROUGH REPORTS

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th August, 2010, there was submitted a letter dated 23rd November, 2010 from Dr Bill Maxwell HM Senior Chief Inspector, HM Inspectorate of Education confirming that HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) does not include a six point grading of quality indicators within any of its follow-through reports. This was the case across all education sectors inspected, including early years. The reason for this was that the follow-through visit and subsequent report was focussing on the progress made by the school or centre since the last inspection by HMIe. It was not intended as a re-inspection to make new evaluations on the provision. A positive follow-through report was always deemed to be satisfactory or better. However, if the school had not made the necessary improvement within the agreed timescales, then a further follow‑through would be carried out by HMIe to produce another report to parents.

The Committee noted accordingly.

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.