How good is strategic leadership and direction?
The overall quality of strategic leadership and direction provided was very good, with some excellent aspects. Vision, values and aims The council had a clear, appropriate vision for the development of education services to children, young people and adults living in the communities within its borders. This vision was set out in a number of key planning documents which, taken together, provided a clear, coherent, basis for action and which articulated well with corporate goals and the roles of other bodies and initiatives such as the SIP, the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund (BNSF) and National Priorities. Educational Services remained a cornerstone of the council s plans for economic development and promoting achievement and equality of opportunity. The Council s Community Plan includes as themes, Improving Opportunities and Promoting Community Learning which are highly relevant to the delivery of educational services. The other themes within the plan such as Eliminating Poverty and
