Mr D C M Flear
Mr J H Green
Mr S Mackay
Mr W J Ross
Mr A Rhind
Mr D W Briggs
Mr M MacMillan

APOLOgies for absence 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Ms K MacNab, Mr H Fraser, Mr P Corbett, Mrs J N Home and Rev A Glass

2.       

SUCCESSES 

The Committee NOTED a list of recent successes, including the following, and AGREED that their congratulations be conveyed to those concerned:- 

·           The following winners of the Nessie Caption Competition run by the Highland Energy Efficiency Advice Centre to raise awareness amongst children of the possible effects of global warming and climate change were present at the meeting:- 

 Mrs I Campbell, Depute Chairman, presented the prizes to the winners during the course of the meeting and the Committee congratulated the pupils concerned on their success.

The Committee AGREED that a copy of the film made by People 1st Caithness be obtained to show at a future meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Portfolio Holders Group.

3.       

REVENUE BUDGET - MONITORING 

There was circulated Report No ECS33/05 dated 9 May, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the Revenue Budget monitoring position to the end of April 2005 and the projected year end position for the financial year 2005/06.   The final outturn position for 2004/05 would be presented to the Committee in August.  The current indications were that it would be broadly in line with previous projections.  At April 2005 there was a projected year end overspend for 2005/06 of £0.09m (0.05%), which related to the loss of income arising from the prolonged closure of Nairn Swimming Pool.  The Director gave the background to this closure and indicated that he had asked for a full report on the circumstances.  He also commented on the position with regard to the budget devolved to head teachers and steps being taken to monitor grant funded projects. 

The Committee NOTED:- 

(i)         the provisional year-end net expenditure position in relation to financial year 2004/05; 

(ii)        the early position in relation to financial year 2005/06 and the fact that a more detailed analysis of the current financial year would be reported to the August meeting of the Committee; and  

(iii)       the year-on-year increase in amounts being devolved to Head Teachers from government initiative grant funding. 

Arising from this item, Dr M E M Foxley expressed some concern with regard to the current review of Early Years provision, referring in particular to the guidelines and to accountability and governance issues.  He understood that the Joint Committee on Children and Young People was leading on the review and that there would be consultation with Area Children’s Services Forums and other committees/forums.  He suggested, however, that issues of this importance should be discussed through the Education, Culture and Sport Portfolio Holders Group.  He also accepted the need for the review but felt that, if all of the guidelines were strictly adhered to, this could have serious implications for some communities and parents.  He suggested that there should be further discussion, possibly at a special meeting between the Joint Committee and the Education, Culture and Sport Committee, of how the review was carried out, in particular of the proposed travel times for access to provision, class sizes and support for parents if provision was removed. 

Mrs M C Davidson, Spokesperson for Children and Young People, confirmed that the guidelines for the review were guidelines only.  Area Children’s Services Forums were aware of the issues, which had been fully discussed at the Joint Committee, and were currently mapping provision locally against the criteria and having to make some difficult decisions.  She pointed out that it was an ongoing process and some Members had been more involved than others.  Local Members were being consulted where any changes were being proposed but it would be useful to have a meeting to update all Members.  Mrs Davidson stressed, however, that a review was necessary to ensure that future provision was sustainable and obtained Best Value. 

After further discussion, during which reference was made to cases where decisions had already been made or required to be made in the near future and it was stressed that decisions had to be made locally, the Committee AGREED that:- 

(i)         a Briefing be arranged for Members within the next two weeks on the Early Years Review currently taking place; 

(ii)        officials look into a situation in Caithness where closures of nurseries had been proposed without the Local Member being consulted; and  

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE  

There was circulated Report No ECS34/05 dated 10 May, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided information on project progress within the Education, Culture and Sport capital programme and  made a number of specific recommendations. 

In discussion, points raised included the following:- 

The Committee NOTED:- 

(a)       the progress of works at Muirtown Primary School;  

(b)       that a report would be submitted to a future meeting on the importance of play and play areas; and AGREED:- 

(i)        the treatment of additional Schools Fund monies as set out in paragraph 2; 

(ii)       the completion of science laboratory upgrading at Wick High School and Invergordon Academy and that, as part of the review of the Capital Plan in August, officials report back on progress with the science laboratory upgrading programme, indicating when it might be possible to move on to the upgrading of home economics rooms; 

(iii)       the procurement of further construction works at Kingussie High School through negotiation with a single contractor  as set out in paragraph 4; 

(iv)       that steps be taken as set out in paragraph 5 to enable the renouncing of the lease of Raddery School, noting the request that consideration be given to a new build for the Black Isle Education Centre when it vacated the premises at Raddery; and 

(v)        the expenditure proposals on Health and Safety projects for financial year 2005/2006 as set out in paragraph 7.

REVIEW OF FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR THE VOLUNTARY AND INDEPENDENT SECTOR 

There was circulated Report No ECS35/05 dated 6 April, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on a proposed review of funding and support of the voluntary and independent sector by the community learning and leisure element of the Service.  The report set out the background to the proposed review, pointing out that Community Learning and Leisure worked closely with the voluntary and independent sector and delivered many of its services through partner organisations.  The pattern of provision varied and had been shaped to a large extent by history and/or community capacity.  The Service currently provided approximately £3.2m direct financial assistance but also provided a range of “in kind” support.   The report set out the strategic context for the proposed review, the main tasks and a proposed timescale. 

In discussion, it was suggested that, following the substantial increase in funding that had been agreed for small museums a few years ago, the review should include information on the extent to which these museums were working with schools and other learning centres and what they were considering in relation to Highland 2007.  It was also suggested that discussions be held with Bord na Gaidhlig on the core funding for some national organisations and that it would be useful to have information on the total turnover for organisations receiving funding from the Council as they often also received funding from other sources. 

The Committee:- 

(i)         AGREED the proposed timetable and scope of the review, to include seeking information on the points detailed above; and  

RAASAY HERITAGE TRUST - MUILEAN ARAIS 

It was reported that the Raasay Heritage Trust had applied for grant aid from the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme to convert the Old Mill Building at Inverarish into a community heritage centre.  The project complemented a separately funded project to landscape land adjacent to the Mill, creating a car park, footpaths and a seating area. 

The HISTP Advisory Group had requested that, as the Trust had no experience of European Funding for a project of this nature, the application should be sponsored by the Highland Council. 

The Skye and Lochalsh Area Committee had approved the request that the Council sponsor the project and recommended accordingly to the Education Culture and Sport Committee and thereafter to the Resources Committee. 

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF - RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS 

There was circulated Report No ECS36/05 dated 6 May, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the outcome of consultation with head teachers and the teaching unions on planning the deployment of additional funding to enhance the capability of schools to manage behaviour, thus ensuring effective learning and teaching in Highland schools.  The funding, which was to be used to provide additional staffing, had been allocated initially on a three year basis as follows:- 

                        2005/06           £385,627
                        2006/07           £581,012
                        2007/08           £879,230

It was anticipated that this funding would be mainstreamed in due course into the National Priorities Action Fund.  The Director outlined the consultation process and previous strategies which had been developed.  The priorities identified in consultation had related to early intervention, increasing the allocation of Pupil Support staff, establishing additional Children’s Service Worker posts, and developing a comprehensive training strategy.  It was, therefore, proposed that funding be allocated to each Area to be targeted against identified needs set against these priorities.  In addition, the Executive had allocated funding to a number of councils to introduce new arrangements to address truancy in schools.  Highland Council would receive £58,000 in the current year to introduce an Automated Call System in schools, details of which were given. 

In discussion, concern was expressed regarding the formula used for allocating the additional funding and it was suggested that further consideration be given to refining the formula to take account of issues arising in sparsely populated areas.  The Director pointed out that the highest number of exclusions of pupils from schools took place in the inner Moray Firth area but undertook to check the statistics for Badenoch and Strathspey.  In response to other points raised, the Director confirmed that parenting programmes were available and that calls made through the proposed Automated Call System would be followed up.  He also detailed some of the steps being taken to identify problems earlier and to address behaviour with families and communities, involving buddying schemes and specialist staff. 

The Committee AGREED:- 

(i)         the revised strategy for the management of behaviour in schools (as detailed in Section 3 of the report and the attached Appendix), as established through the recent consultations with head teachers and the teacher unions;  

(ii)        that the Council pilot the Automated Call System in schools where the highest instances of truancy had been recorded; and 

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE - IMPROVING PARENTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOLS 

There was circulated  Report No ECS37/05 dated 6 May, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the results of the Area consultation process with regard to the Scottish Executive consultation document ‘Making the Difference - Improving Parents’ Involvement in Schools’.  It also contained a draft response on the proposals to be sent to the Scottish Executive by 7 June, 2005.  The report outlined the key proposals in the draft Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill, which included the proposal to replace school boards with new parents forums.  It pointed out that, while much of the consultation paper had met with broad agreement, a number of reservations had been expressed, details of which were given.  The draft response took account of these views. 

In discussion, it was suggested that the Council’s response should stress the points of concern in the Highlands, in particular the need for flexibility of approach.   Members pointed out that, while many of those who had responded to the consultation had felt that change was unnecessary, school boards currently only involved a small number of parents and communication with the rest of the school was not always good.  Members were generally in favour of a constitution for parent forums being determined for the local authority area, with local flexibility to adapt it, and emphasised the need for training for those taking part in Appointments Committees, with employers continuing to be required to give people time off.  It was also important that the Head Teacher should be present at meetings of the parent forums and suggested that manuals be available to help them to stimulate discussion.  Members recognised the strengths of the current system of school boards but put forward suggestions as to how they could be improved and requested that the response be expanded to emphasise these points.   

YOUR CHOICE TO HEALTHY LIVING 

There was circulated Report No ECS38/05 dated 10 May, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which updated Members on progress of the ‘Your Choice to Healthy Living’ initiative.  It outlined the successes, ongoing challenges and the programme being prepared for the years ahead.  The key projects included initiatives aimed at improving nutrition and active lifestyles, the Health Promoting Schools initiative, and work on drugs, alcohol and sexual health, mental health and play.  The main challenge was to ensure that there were health improvements in Highland but to reach that goal it was necessary to ensure that projects were sustainable and that good practice was disseminated across Highland. 

During discussion, reference was made to the worrying statistics with regard to young people drinking, smoking and taking drugs, which it was felt were consistently underestimated, and it was suggested that there should be further discussion of the advice offered in schools.  It was also suggested that there should be consideration of the wider picture with regard to young people’s health and that steps should be taken to increase their independence and self-esteem by enabling them to access their local school and community safely on foot or by bicycle.  Reference was also made to the need to have a cross-Service policy on the provision of play areas. 

The Committee NOTED the ongoing commitment and success of  ‘Your Choice’; and AGREED:- 

(i)         to congratulate staff on the enthusiasm with which they had approached this initiative;  

(ii)        the targets and next steps for the ‘Your Choice’ initiative; 

(iii)       that reports be submitted to future meetings on what was happening in primary and secondary schools with regard to advice on drinking, smoking and use of recreational or other drugs and on policy across the Council with regard to play areas; and 

HIGHLAND ARCHIVE STRATEGY 

There was circulated  Report No ECS39/05 dated 10 May, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on progress in implementing the Highland Archive Strategy.  The report outlined progress in relation to Area archives, and the identification of a site for the Highland Archive Centre.   Following consideration by the Portfolio Holders Group, the City of Inverness and Area Committee had given their support to a site adjacent to the All Weather Pitch at the Bught Park.  It was now necessary to review the potential for co-location of other facilities on the site and already the Director of Corporate Services had indicated a positive desire to co-locate the Registration Service for Inverness with the Archive Centre.  The main requirement, however, remained the provision of an appropriate Archive and Genealogy Centre.  Detailed discussions would continue to secure and maximise external capital funding and provision towards the lead in costs of the Archive network had been included in the capital programme, subject to consideration of the Committee as part of the review of the Plan. 

At the meeting the Director reported that the next deadline for submission of an application for funding for the Archive Centre to the Heritage Lottery Fund was December, 2005 which would require a commitment by September regarding the facilities to be included. 

In discussion, the Chairman confirmed that the correct procedures had been followed in relation to identifying a preferred site for the Centre and that a copy of the papers which had been submitted to the Portfolio Holders Group on 23 February would be passed to Councillor L Fraser.  Councillor R Balfour pointed out that the owners of the archives rather than the National Archives had power to decide where archives were kept and that there was also a possible problem in relation to the title of the site identified for the Centre.   The Chairman confirmed that this could be resolved.  He also confirmed that the timescale would allow further consideration of the facilities to be included while ensuring that the core Archive and Genealogy Centre was progressed.  Suggestions were also put forward in relation to the archives in Dornoch and Badenoch and Strathspey. 

The Committee NOTED the current progress towards the implementation of the Highland Archive Strategy; and AGREED 

(i)         to welcome the decision of the City of Inverness and Area Committee and endorse the selection of the Bught Park site for the Highland Archive Centre; and 

HIGHLAND PEOPLE’S NETWORK  

There was circulated  Report No ECS40/05 dated 9 May, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which assessed Highland’s position against the findings of two recent national reports on the People’s Network, ‘The People’s Network: Evaluation Summary’ and ‘Evaluating the impact of the NOF funded ICTL programme for Public Libraries in Scotland’.  In relation to the former report the Highland experience broadly matched the national findings which were generally positive.  The latter report, based on an audit of six authorities including Highland, identified a need for a more consistent approach across Scotland to the Advance Outcome training.   The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) which had carried out the evaluation had developed an accredited course for library staff due to be launched shortly. 

The Committee NOTED the publication of the national reports; and APPROVED:- 

(i)         the purchase of appropriate e-content to be set against the library materials fund; 

(ii)        the development of Area plans to promote Highland People’s Network and the resources available through it; and 

ENGLISH AS A SECOND OR OTHER LANGUAGE (ESOL) 

There was circulated  Report No ECS41/05 dated 9 May, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which summarised current provision of support for learners for whom English was not their mother tongue and outlined a proposal for enhancing provision through a partnership project involving the Council’s Adult Basic Education Service, Inverness College and the WEA.  It was proposed to concentrate initially in areas of greatest demand identified in the Inverness, Ross and Cromarty and Badenoch and Strathspey areas. 

In discussion reference was made to the need to target particular areas of economic generation and it was confirmed that there was contact between the Council and the Local Enterprise Companies in relation to the provision of courses for migrant workers. 

The Committee AGREED:- 

(i)         to approve the participation in a partnership project to increase ESOL provision initially in areas of greatest demand in the Inverness, Ross and Cromarty and Badenoch and Strathspey Areas; 

(ii)        to approve the allocation of staff time from within existing resources to support the project; and 

RE-OPENING OF ALTNAHARRA PRIMARY SCHOOL 

There was circulated copy of Report No SU83/05 dated 1 April, 2005 submitted by the Area Education, Culture and Sport Manager to the Sutherland County Committee, outlining proposals for the review of the current ‘mothballed’ status of Altnaharra Primary School.  The report gave the background to the mothballing of the school and the results of consultations which had been carried out following requests that the situation be reviewed.  It set out the financial and staffing consequences of re-opening the school and suggested that a cluster head teacher arrangement would be the most suitable staffing route for the management of the school. 

The Sutherland County Committee, at their meeting on 25 April, 2005, had approved the recommendations that the school be re-opened with effect from August, 2005 and that the school be managed on a cluster arrangement. 

EDEN COURT THEATRE CLOSURE PERIOD 

There was circulated Report No ECS42/05 dated 8 April, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which detailed the service that Eden Court Theatre proposed to provide whilst the theatre was shut for redevelopment.  The theatre was due to close in June, with the new enhanced venue being expected to open in December 2006.  During the period when the theatre was shut, Eden Court proposed to continue to deliver a wide range of services using alternative venues throughout the 8 Highland Council Areas, details of which were given.  Eden Court would retain 30 full-time and 6 part-time specialist, skilled staff during the closure.  In addition to delivering the core programming, staff would be involved in managing the Capital Development Project, training, working with the Promoters Arts Network and activities associated with 2007. 

The Committee AGREED:- 

(i)         that officers be requested to work with the Eden Court Director to develop the detail of the proposals outlined; and 

LOCAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE FOR TEACHERS -LOCAL AGREEMENTS 

There was circulated  Report No ECS43/05 dated 5 May, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which referred to the establishment of new national and local negotiating committees as part of “A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century - the McCrone Agreement”.  The local committees had powers to vary certain devolved conditions of service agreements and to reach agreement on a range of matters which were not subject to national bargaining.  All local agreements had to be reported to the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT).  The report gave details of agreements which had been reached by the Highland Council Local Negotiating Committee since its inception in November 2002. 

MINUTES OF MEETINGS