First make sure that the data that is contained in the first index of items actually has the data that you want.
One possible solution to your problem would be to simply not show the first index of the ng-repeat:
<div ng-repeat="item in items" ng-show="!$first">
<div ng-include src="'views/template.html'"></div>
</div>
This may not actually tackle the root of your problem, but it may still get your application working a bit more like what you expect.
Another possible solution:
<div ng-repeat="item in items" ng-include="'views/template.html'"></div>
see example here:
http://plnkr.co/edit/Yvd73HiFS8dXvpvpEeFu?p=preview
One more possible fix just for good measure:
Use a component:
html:
<div ng-repeat="item in items">
<my-include></my-include>
</div>
js:
angular.module("app").directive("myInclude", function() {
return {
restrict: "E",
templateUrl: "/views/template.html"
}
})