EDUCATION, CULTURE & SPORT

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THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL

EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORT COMMITTEE

Minutes of Meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee held in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 11 November 2004 at 10.30 a.m.

PRESENT

Mr A Anderson

Mr A M Millar

Mr R Saxon

Mr T Jackson

Mr D Allan

Mrs J Urquhart

Mr R W Durham

Mr D Chisholm

Ms A MacLean

Mr H Fraser

Mr P Corbett

Mr R Balfour

Mrs M C Davidson

Mr W J Smith

Mr A Milne

Mr A J Dick

Mr J Gray

Mrs J N Home

Mr J N Matheson

Mr L Fraser

Mr G Rimell

Mr T MacLennan

Dr M E M Foxley

Mr N M Clark

Mr J McDonald

NON-MEMBERS ALSO PRESENT:

Mr D Mackay

Mr D C M Flear

Mr J H Green

Mr G M Smith

Mr W J Ross

Mr A Rhind

Mrs V MacIver

Mr D W Briggs

Dr D Alston

Mr J MacDonald

Mr B Clark

Mr B J Murphy

Officials in attendance:

Mr B Robertson, Director of Education, Culture and Sport

Mr H Fraser, Head of Support Services, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr I Murray, Head of Community Learning and Leisure, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr D MacDonald, Head of Education Services, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr R MacKenzie, Education, Culture and Sport Finance Manager

Mr G Watson, Community Development Manager, Education, Culture and Sport

Ms E Johnston, Policy Officer, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr C Forbes, Disability Sports Development Officer, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr R Campbell, Project Manager, Property and Architectural Services

Mr J Allison Principal Administrator, Corporate Services

Mrs M Moffatt, Committee Administrator, Corporate Services

Mr A Anderson in the Chair

BUSINESS An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council. All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee

PRELIMINARIES

Mr J McDonald opened the meeting with prayer.

At the commencement of the meeting the choir of Central Primary School, Inverness, winners of the Under-13, 2 Part Harmony competition at the 2004 National Mod, gave a short musical performance.

The Committee joined with the Chairman in congratulating the choir on their success at the Mod and in thanking them for a very enjoyable performance.

1.	APOLOgies for absence Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Ms K MacNab, Mrs M E Paterson, Mrs I Campbell, Mrs M MacLennan, Mrs S Slimon and Rev A Glass.

2.	ALAN BALL LOCAL HISTORY AWARDS 2004 It was reported that the Council’s Am Baile website had been awarded the Alan Ball Local History Non-Print Award for 2004. Mr Michael Saich, Chairman of the Library Services Trust, was in attendance at the meeting to present a plaque, which was received on behalf of the Am Baile team by the Depute Chairman (Gaelic), Mr H Fraser. Mr Saich gave some of the background to the Trust and the local history awards and congratulated the Am Baile team on the quality of their website. He also presented certificates to members of staff, Joyce Watson and Maggie Johnstone, in recognition of their contribution to the project. The Committee thanked Mr Saich for his attendance and AGREED that their congratulations be conveyed to the Am Baile team.

3.	SUCCESSES The Committee NOTED a list of recent successes, including the following, and AGREED that their congratulations be conveyed to those concerned:- · Winners at the recent Highland Junior Golf Championships held at Skibo:- Girls SCRATCH – The Grant Trophy – Kelsey MacDonald, Nairn Dunbar Girls Handicap – The Sutherland Trophy – Nadia Green, Nairn Golf Club Boys SCRATCH – The Duncan Allan Quaich – Neil Howitt, Nairn Dunbar Boys Handicap (0-9) – The Skibo Trophy – Peter Cameron, Fortrose and Rosemarkie Boys Handicap (10-18) – Highland Clubgolf Trophy – Fraser MacIntosh, Fortrose and Rosemarkie Boys Handicap (18 and over) – The Bonar Shield – Craig MacKay, Golspie Golf Club Best School Team – The Bruce Robertson Trophy – Fortrose Academy (Peter Cameron, John Fair, Steven Kinnard) · Two of the many Highland Mod successes:- Dingwall Gaelic Choir won the main choral competition. Central Primary School won the under 13, 2 part harmony. · Former Alness Academy student, John MacDonald, performed exceptionally well in the SQA examinations winning a number of awards, details of which were given. · 75 projects were awarded “Home Reading Initiative” grants by the Scottish Executive. Highland projects received £97,709 of the £1m distributed throughout Scotland. · Three teachers from Highland, Angus Morrison, Nairn Academy, Patricia Rimell, Kingussie High and Karen Vincent, Maryburgh Primary School, had made history by becoming some of the country’s first Chartered Teachers. This status recognised their experience, excellent teaching skills and high level of professionalism. · Quality Award Winners Community Council Commendation - Maureen Sutherland, Headteacher, Lady Lovat Primary School, Morar Working with Communities and Partners - Milnafua Community Partnership Improving Quality of Life - Ross and Cromarty Healthways Employee of the Year - Muriel Thomson, Janitor/Playground Supervisor, Maryburgh Primary School The Committee also NOTED a suggestion made that, building on Scandinavian success, consideration be given to arranging sports camps to improve the performance of young people from the Highlands in sporting activities.
	RESOURCES
4.	SPECIAL OLYMPICS There was circulated Report No ECS70/04 dated 27 October, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which detailed progress on the Highlands sending a team to the Special Olympics in Glasgow in 2005. Details were given of Team Highland which had been formed in the current year and had stated their interest in participating in the event. The cost of sending the team to Glasgow was £40,000 and Tullochs Group PLC had offered sponsorship of at least £20,000. With contributions from each individual and funding it was hoped to receive from “Sportsmatch”, there was a shortfall of £10,000, however, which the Council was being asked to meet. After hearing Mrs J N Home, Chairman of Highland Disability Sport and Mr P Corbett, Treasurer, the Committee AGREED to:- (i) approve a grant of £10,000 to Team Highland to attend the Special Olympics in Glasgow in 2005; and (ii) offer their good wishes and encouragement to the team.

5.	REVENUE BUDGET There was circulated Report No ECS71/04 dated 20 October, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on Revenue Expenditure on the Education, Culture and Sport Service for the six month period from 1 April to 30 September, 2004. At that time the report showed a projected overspend at the year end of £0.525m. After some discussion, during which reference was made to the recurring overspend in the SEN budget in the Inverness Area and the process of validating school rolls, the Committee AGREED to:- (i) note the continuing improvement in the projected year-end budgetary position; (ii) approve the action points detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report which related specifically to the Inverness and Ross and Cromarty Area Education, Culture and Sport budgets; and (iii) approve the ongoing policy of expenditure restraint.

6.	CAPITAL EXPENDITURE There was circulated Report No ECS72/04 dated 26 October, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on expenditure on the Education, Culture and Sport Service for the period 1st April to 30 September, 2004. The report also referred to the purchase of a small piece of ground for the development of a sports complex at Grantown Grammar School through the “Big Lottery” Facilities Fund, the need to increase expenditure on the refurbishment of Ullapool Primary School by £117,000 to cover additional costs and the impact of a building failure at St Brides Primary School, Ballachulish. The Committee AGREED to:- (i) note the content of the report.; and (ii) homologate the decision taken to purchase the land at Grantown Grammar School as per paragraph 3.1 of the report.

	POLICY

7.	DETERMINED TO SUCCEED There was circulated Report No ECS73/04 dated 26 October, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which informed Members of the developments which had been progressed within the first year of the Determined to Succeed Initiative in Highland relative to Enterprise in Education. The report set out the background to the Initiative and the funding available and gave details of the Implementation Plan, enterprise activities in primary and secondary schools, vocational learning in schools and other locations, work with partners, including the business community, and quality assurance and development. Mr Donald Jack, Enterprise in Education Development Manager, and Moira Forsyth, Business Development Officer, also made a short presentation on the key priorities of the Initiative and the developments taking place throughout the Highlands to ensure that pupils had access to vocational pathways programmes and were properly supported in school, college or work based placements. In discussion points raised included the following:- · it was suggested that an important element missing from the report was the part played by the Highland Council, as one of the largest employers in the Highlands, in this initiative. · reference was made to bureaucratic responses being encountered by Dornoch Academy in relation to a project they wished to commence. · it was suggested that placements within the voluntary sector would provide good work experience. · it was pointed out that the number of self-employed people in the Highlands was above the national average and suggested that schools should actively seek placements in self-employed businesses. · it was confirmed that pupils from the full range of abilities were being offered opportunities of vocational training. · it was noted that part of the initiative was aimed at filling skills shortages and one of the challenges for the Highlands in finding work placements was its size and geography. The Committee NOTED the developments being progressed across Highland and in each Area of the Council and the comments made on the future direction of the Determined to Succeed initiative. It was further AGREED that the Resources Committee be asked to consider the role of the Council in this Initiative and that the issue also be discussed through the Chief Executive’s Weekly Business Meeting.

8.	EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORT SERVICE PLAN 2005-2007/8 There was circulated Report No ECS74/04 dated 13 October, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the draft Service Plan for the Education, Culture and Sport Service, which identified the Improvement Themes for the period 2005-2007/08. The draft Plan outlined the internal and external influences on the planning process and set Service-wide Improvement Objectives in response to these influences and within the context of a three-year budget process. The Director gave a presentation on the Service Plan, which he indicated was an important management tool for all staff in the Service to use and reflected views expressed by parents and others at the Area Forums and also key elements of the Council’s Corporate Plan. He commented on the national and local influences, the improvement themes and the targets set, and indicated that detailed operational plans would be on-line in March 2005. He referred to the resources likely to be available in the 3 years covered by the Plan and stressed that the Plan was about consolidation and continuous improvement, over a period of time in some cases. In discussion, reference was made to the use of risk management review mechanisms; to the funding likely to be received by the Council over the 3 year period of the Plan; to the provision made for the lowest 10-20% of achievers; and to the development of enhanced sports facilities. The Chairman of the Joint Committee on Children and Young People indicated that she would ask that Committee to consider how the lowest 10-20% of achievers were being served by the Council, and ways of monitoring and influencing their lives, both in and out of school. It was also suggested that the final copy of the Service Plan should have flagship statements about Achievement for All, including children, families and communities. The Committee AGREED to:- (i) approve the Service Plan for 2005-2007/8; (ii) endorse the Education, Culture and Sport Service Goals; (iii) seek regular reviews of progress; and (iv) seek Area Service Plans across Highland.

9.	GUIDANCE ON SCHOOL CLOSURES There was circulated Report No ECS75/04 dated 13 October, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on new guidance issued by the Scottish Executive in relation to school closures. The report set out the background to the new guidance and the key aspects. It was pointed out that Highland already followed a thorough and transparent policy on the matter of school closures/alterations to provision and had only recently agreed a set of criteria to be applied when Capital Plan/alterations to provision decisions were taken. It was proposed that a new policy framework be prepared to take account of the national guidance, existing good practice and legal advice given. Ms A McLean referred to the first informal consultations which had taken place in relation to the future provision of education in the Maryburgh/Conon Bridge area. She referred to the importance of being open and transparent in consultations, as indicated in the guidance, and reported that the Maryburgh community felt that some of their questions had not been answered. She commented on the differing views of the two communities, and questions being asked, and indicated that the Maryburgh community were now requesting that they be given a Business Plan showing the benefits of any proposal to amalgamate the two schools. The Chairman suggested that it was not appropriate to discuss a specific proposal at this time but refuted absolutely any suggestion that questions had not been answered at the consultative meetings. He asked the Maryburgh community to list their questions publicly so that they could be publicly answered. He also pointed out that the present consultations were informal and he could not pre-judge any decisions the Committee might take in the future in relation to the two schools. After some further discussion regarding the timescale for preparing the new policy framework, the Committee AGREED:- (i) to note the national guidance from the Scottish Executive; (ii) to remit to the Director of Education, Culture and Sport to prepare a new policy framework and operational guidance for school closures, to be taken to the meeting of the Committee in March 2005 for approval; and (iii) that the Maryburgh community be asked to provide a list of questions so that the Council could respond publicly to their questions concerning proposals for the future provision of education in the Maryburgh/Conon Bridge area.

10.	CONSULTATION ON DRAFT GAELIC EDUCATION GUIDANCE There was circulated Report No. ECS76/04 dated 13 October, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport advising that the Minister for Education and Young People had issued draft guidance on Gaelic Education in terms of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act of 2000. The Act placed a duty on education authorities to include Gaelic in their improvement objectives, gave Ministers power to set objectives for Gaelic, included Gaelic in the National Priorities for Education, and entitled Ministers to issue guidance to authorities on Gaelic Medium Education. Written responses on the draft guidance were to be submitted by 17 December, 2004. It was pointed out that the current Gaelic Education Policy of the Council was well placed to meet all the terms of the Guidance and had been used as a model by the Executive. The specific questions asked by the Executive were detailed and some issues set out which Members might wish to consider. The report had also been considered by the Gaelic Select Committee at their meeting on 4 November, 2004. In discussion, points raised included the following:- · It should be impressed on the Scottish Executive that there was a need to produce materials through the medium of Gaelic for the purposes of assessment, testing and the curriculum. · There was a need to link the Council’s response to its Action Plan. · It should be stressed that the lack of teachers had to be addressed. · It was suggested that statistics should be gathered of the numbers of former Gaelic medium pupils who might now have children entering Gaelic medium education. · It was confirmed that the Council’s response would include the view that, if Bord na Gaidhlig was to take on a role in securing improvement in Gaelic Education, it would be necessary to rethink its powers, membership and funding. The Committee AGREED to:- (i) note the terms of the consultation paper on Draft Gaelic Education Guidance; and (ii) remit to the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, in consultation with the Chairmen of the Education, Culture and Sport and Gaelic Select Committees, to finalise the Highland Council response, taking account of the views of the Committee, subject to the response being circulated to members of the Gaelic Select Committee prior to its submission.

11.	STANDARDISATION OF SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - COSLA CONSULTATION There was circulated Report No ECS77/04 dated 26 October, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which referred to a Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) consultation on possible national standardisation of school holidays in response to a petition submitted to the Scottish Parliament. The report set out the detail of the current Highland framework for setting school holidays and issues which should be taken into account. Against the background of the outcome of recent consultation on the school term pattern and current local flexibility which permitted the setting of the summer holiday period to take account of local Trades Holidays, the Committee AGREED that the Highland Council should respond to the COSLA consultation by indicating that school holidays should continue to be determined at local authority level and that neighbouring authorities should continue to liaise on the setting of holiday periods.

	STAFFING

12.	THE RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS IN HIGHLAND There was circulated Report No ECS78/04 dated 21 October, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which outlined a range of current and future pressures that would require local and national strategies to be deployed to recruit significant numbers of teachers. The report set out the background to the current position and put forward a number of possible solutions which should be considered. It was suggested that it would be a long term, fairly complex matter which would require further discussion at the Local Negotiating Committee and at Committee. The Director spoke to the report highlighting the issues and challenges faced by the Council in the recruitment and retention of teaching staff over the next decade and commenting on the range of solutions put forward for consideration. Points raised in discussion included the following:- · It was suggested that there was a need to consider measures to persuade teachers, who might otherwise retire early, to stay in post. · Reference was made to a recruitment campaign being pursued in Orkney using a DVD and covering a wide range of work activities which might be used as a model for recruiting key staff in health and education in Highland. · It was pointed out that, following discussion at the Housing and Social Work Committee meeting on 10 November, 2004, there was to be further discussion of how to assist key workers wishing to come to the Highlands, possibly through the provision of affordable housing, and suggested that a working group be established to look at this issue. · It was suggested that local communities should have some input into decisions on who constituted key workers. · The Director indicated that the anomaly of students on part time courses not having their fees paid had been brought to the attention of the Scottish Executive. The Executive had recognised that it was an issue and he was, therefore, confident that it would be addressed. · Reference was made to the need for more teaching of modern languages and about foreign cultures, bearing in mind the growth in the economies and, therefore, in importance of other countries. · The Director confirmed that probationer teachers were offered a one-off payment of £5,000 if they did not specify any preference for the local authority area in which they might be placed. · It was confirmed that the recent Scottish Executive announcement appeared to envisage a continued role for parents on school boards in the appointment of head teachers. · It was suggested that the development of more distance learning courses could help to address the gender imbalance in primary and secondary schools whereby there were many fewer male teachers and, therefore, male role models. The Committee AGREED:- (i) to note the set of challenges facing the Council in respect of the recruitment, retention and professional development of teachers; (ii) to adopt the range of solutions outlined, in relation to training and recruitment of teaching staff, the need for a review of the current Induction system, permanent contracts for supply staff in primary schools, consideration of possible incentives, and succession planning for middle and senior management; (iii) that future meetings of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff and the Education, Culture and Sport Committee receive further reports on the issues as they developed; and (iv) that the Chairman discuss with the Chairman of the Housing and Social Work Committee the possible formation of a working group to consider ways of attracting key workers, including teachers, to the Highlands.

	MINUTES

13.	MINUTES OF MEETINGS There were circulated and NOTED Minutes of a Meeting of the Education Transport Appeals Committee held on 20 October, 2004. The meeting ended at 1.05 p.m.