Education, Culture and Sport Committee Minutes 8 November 2001

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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, 8th November, 2001 at 10.30 a.m.

PRESENT

Mr J W Oag
Mr W A Mowat
Mrs B Jardine
Mr D Allan
Mr D R Green
Mr A Anderson
Mr R W Durham
Mrs C A Wilson
Mrs M E Paterson
Mr A Paterson
Mr A M M Beaton
Mr A M Millar
Mrs I Campbell
Mr P Corbett
Mr R Balfour

Mrs M C Davidson
Mr W J Smith
Mr J W A Thomson
Mrs M MacLennan
Mr J Gray
Mrs J N Home
Mrs L MacDonald
Mrs S Slimon
Mr B M S Dunlop
Mr G M Bruce
Dr M E M Foxley
Mr N M Clark
Rev A Glass
Rev M Mackinnon

NON-MEMBERS ALSO PRESENT:
Mr A I MacDonald Mr J H Green Mr G H Smith Mrs D J Steven	Lou Wilkerson Mr E C MacKinnon Mr D W Briggs Dr D Alston	Mr M M Downie Mr W Fulton Mr G Coutts Mr R Lyon	Mrs E MacRae Mrs O J Macdonald

Officials in attendance:

Mr B Robertson, Director of Education
Mr A Jones, Director of Cultural and Leisure Services
Mr J Stevenson, Head of Resources and Support Services, Education Service
Mr S Anderson, Head of Tourism and Support Services, Cultural and Leisure Services
Mr I Murray, Head of Community and Leisure, Cultural and Leisure Services
Mr D MacDonald, Head of Support for Learners, Education Service
Mr S Brownlee, Head of Libraries and Archives, Cultural and Leisure Services
Mr B Hemming, Education Resource Co-ordinator, Education Service
Mr R MacKenzie, Finance Manager, Education Service
Mr H Fraser, Area Education Manager, Ross and Cromarty
Mr R Campbell, Project Manager, Property & 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

Reverend M Mackinnon opened the meeting with prayer.

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr R Saxon, Mr A Rhind, Mr A J Dick, Mr J N Matheson and Mr G MacFarlane.

2.	SUCCESSES The Committee NOTED the following and AGREED that congratulations be conveyed to those concerned: - Tomnacross Primary School had achieved a clean sweep in shinty. The school team had won every trophy, including the national primary championships. The winning team, together with the Head Teacher, Mr G Bell, were present at the meeting and were presented with a plaque from the Highland Council to mark their achievements by Mr N Clark, Depute Chairman, Sport and Recreation. - Moray Notman of Grantown Grammar School had been runner up in the National Future Chef competition for 14-15 year olds. - Congratulations were conveyed to all Mod winners, too numerous to mention. - Charlotte Dawson, of Farr High School Primary Department, had recently won the Scottish School Board Association and Scottish Police "Alternatives to Crime" Poster Competition. She had represented the Northern Constabulary Area at a presentation in Dumfries. - National Grid for Learning: Cauldeen Primary School Nursery, Ullapool Primary and the Wick Area Education Offices, had all been successful in their bids for ICT Innovation Awards Phase 2. - Johanna MacKinnon of Lochaber High School had won the Gold Medal for the Scottish Mathematical Challenge. - Ashton Ingram from Lochaber High School had won the Northern Counties Junior Girls Golf Championships and was now attending coaching for Scotland’s Under 15’s. - At the BAA Youth Games on 15 September in Aberdeen the Highland Team had won the following: - Athletics Bronze Fair Play Nomination - Badminton Silver - Basketball Boys Gold and Basketball Girls Silver - Hockey Gold Fair Play Nomination – Boys and Girls - Swimming Silver - Also nominated first equal with Aberdeenshire for the Fair Play Award.

	RESOURCES

3.	REVENUE BUDGET The Committee considered reports on Revenue Expenditure, copies of which had been circulated, as follows:- (a) Education Revenue Expenditure 2001/02 – Monitoring There was circulated Report No ECS82/01 dated 31 October, 2001 by the Director of Education on revenue expenditure on the Education Service for the period to 30 September 2001. After discussion, it was AGREED that a report be submitted to the Education, Culture and Sport Portfolio Holder’s Group on the allocation of the budget for special educational needs. The position was otherwise NOTED. (b) Additional Financial Resources for Schools There was circulated Report No ECS83/01 dated 31 October, 2001 by the Director of Education on the recent additional funding allocated to Highland schools by the Scottish Executive amounting to £913,000. Bearing in mind the criteria outlined by the Scottish Executive, it was proposed to top slice £100,000 from the total and allocate it to schools on the basis of free school meal entitlement to ensure that funds were targeted to areas of deprivation. The balance would be allocated to schools in direct proportion to the amounts which had been removed from devolved school budgets as part of the budget reconfiguration exercise at the start of the current financial year. In discussion, Members welcomed the additional resources but expressed concern at the ad hoc manner in which funding had been made available to authorities in the past two years. In relation to the sums allocated to individual schools, the Director undertook to check the position with regard to possible deprivation factors at Dalwhinnie Primary School. The Committee AGREED :- (i) the basis for distributing the additional financial resources to schools; (ii) the uses of the additional financial resources; (iii) that the Convener write to the Minister for Education to thank him for the additional resources allocated to schools but pointing out that the recent pattern of making ad hoc distributions in this way made financial planning and management very difficult; and (iv) that information on the additional resources received be sent to head teachers, school boards and community councils. It was further NOTED that the Director of Education would also raise the question of how resources were allocated to councils with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. (c) Cultural and Leisure Services Revenue Expenditure 2001/02 – Monitoring There was circulated and NOTED Report No ECS84/01 dated 22 October, 2001 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services on revenue expenditure on Cultural and Leisure Services for the period to 30th September 2001.

4.	CAPITAL EXPENDITURE The Committee dealt with reports on Capital Expenditure, copies of which had been circulated, as follows:- (a) Education Service Capital Expenditure 2001/02 – Monitoring There was circulated Report No. ECS85/01 dated 26th October 2001 by the Director of Education outlining the financial position on the Education Service Capital Programme as at 30th September 2001. In reply to a question the Director gave details of how the funding allocated for school security was to be used in the current year. The report was otherwise NOTED. (b) Revision of Education Capital Programme There was circulated Report No. ECS86/01 dated 30 October, 2001 by the Director of Education which provided a potential 10 Year Education Capital Programme as requested by the Committee at its last meeting, bearing in mind, however, that the annual capital consent was notional at this point in time and might be adjusted in future years. It was pointed out that all projects included in the current education capital programme would remain until the second Public Private Partnership (PPP2) was assured of success. The programme identified a number of specific projects that were currently legally committed or had previous committee approval and included increased allocations for the Ullapool Primary School and Culloden Academy projects now that budget tender costs were known. Other allocations were identified against general headings and the programme as a whole illustrated a significant movement away from new build projects towards a major planned maintenance programme. In discussion, points raised included the following:- - It was confirmed that Area Committees and local Members would be consulted on the individual projects to be included under the general headings contained in the programme in each preceding year. - It was requested that consideration be given to new build provision of nursery accommodation at Drakies Primary School. The Director of Education detailed the current position with regard to nursery provision and indicated that a report would be submitted to the January meeting of the Committee on pre-school building developments. There would also be full discussion with the Area Committees. - In reply to a question concerning the ability of schools or school boards to put forward projects, the Director detailed the current procedures for the inclusion of projects in the Capital Programme. The Committee APPROVED the revised Capital Programme identified in Appendix 1 to the report and AGREED that: (i) a further report be submitted once the outcome of the PPP2 bid was known; and (ii) a report be submitted to the City of Inverness and Area Education Committee on the provision of a new nursery at Drakies Primary School. (c) Education Public Private Partnership There was tabled revised Report No. ECS87/01 dated 8 November 2001 by the Director of Education which drew to Members’ attention the revised timetable for submission of the Outline Business Case for the second potential Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project. An Appendix to the report provided the assessment criteria against which bids would be assessed and gave details of the financial basis of revenue support. The Director of Education reported that it was proposed to hold a special meeting of the Portfolio Holders Group on 28 November prior to a full meeting of the Council on 5th December to approved the Outline Business Case for the second Education Public Private Partnership. He also confirmed that the revenue support to be provided by the Government towards the project would be similar to the first PPP at 80%. In discussion points raised included the following:- - There was a need to ensure that the Outline Business Case met the criteria specified and that a good quality bid was submitted. Affordability was also a crucial issue for consideration by the Council. - It was confirmed that estimated costs for the project were being provided by Property and Architectural Services based on the previous PPP and figures obtained from other authorities in Scotland. Some reservations were expressed about this, in light of previous experiences, it being stressed that the figures must be realistic to prove affordability. - It was confirmed that if any option arose which was not included in the relevant consultation document it would be necessary to carry out further consultations. There was some manoeuvrability within projects, however, in that, where a number of options were under consideration, costs were based on the maximum likely cost. - Members were advised that the Director was proposing to make an approach to the Scottish Executive for additional funding for the provision of the proposed Gaelic Medium School in Fort William on a similar basis as for the proposed Gaelic Medium School in Inverness. - Some concern was expressed that the Council would be committing itself to a PPP project covering a period of 10 years during which circumstances could change and that the flexibility of the conventional capital plan would be lost. The Committee: (i) NOTED the revised date of 14th December 2001 for the submission of the Outline Business Case for the second Public Private Partnership; (ii) AGREED to delegate to a special meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Portfolio Holders to consider the Outline Business Case prior to its submission to the Scottish Executive and to prepare recommendations for the Council; and (iii) NOTED that there would be a special meeting of the Council on 5th December 2001 to appove the Outline Business Case prior to its submission. (d) School Building Improvement Fund There was circulated Report No. ECS88/01 dated 19th October 2001 by the Director of Education which detailed projects to be completed utilising the £541,000 School Building Improvement Fund, following detailed discussions between the Education and Property and Architectural Services. It was pointed out that the list of projects urgently required exceeded the funding available and no Area allocations had, therefore, been identified. After discussion, during which it was confirmed that Area Committees would be consulted on the allocation of any future funding received through the School Building Improvement Fund, the Committee APPROVED the allocations identified in the Appendix to the report. (e) Cultural and Leisure Services Capital Expenditure 2001/02 – Monitoring There was circulated and NOTED Report No. ESC89/01 dated 22nd October 2001 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services outlining the financial position on the Cultural and Leisure Services Capital Programme as at 30th September 2001. (f) Cultural and Leisure Services Capital Programme 2001/02 – 2005/06 There was circulated Report No. ECS90/01 dated 24th October 2001 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services which put forward a revised Cultural and Leisure Services 5 Year Capital Plan following clarification of the phasing of expenditure and income relating to the Badenoch Leisure Centre. It was reported that the remainder of the insurance payment for the replacement of the Victoria Hall, Kingussie, had been received which offered the opportunity to bring forward urgent expenditure in the programme, in particular for the repair and upgrading of leisure facilities. Details were given of projects which could be accelerated using this opportunity, totalling £203,000. The Director of Property and Architectural Services was confident that these could be completed in the current financial year. It was also suggested that £3,000 be brought forward in the New Project Fund to allow for completion of a project at Battery Park, Lochcarron. In discussion, an assurance was given that the necessary funding would be made available for the Badenoch Leisure Centre when it was required. It was also confirmed that the Capital Programme was supplemented by the lists of priorities received from Area Committees and it would be hoped to allocate funding from the New Project Fund towards projects such as the All Weather Pitch at Wick High School as the necessary funding package was achieved. The Committee APPROVED the revised 5 Year Capital Programme as set out in the Appendix to the report.

5.	VILLAGE HALLS – CAPITAL DEVELOPMENTS There was circulated Report No. ECS91/01 dated 24th October 2001 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services on the current position regarding village hall development and action taken since the last meeting. Summary information was also given on a survey of future development needs. While full information would be presented to the next meeting, two projects were at the stage of applying for major funding from the Lottery. Following discussions with the hall committees, the local Members and the Chairman, application had been made to the Scottish Executive for the hall projects in Glenelg and Lochcarron on the basis that support depended on the halls being successful with their Lottery applications. Following discussion with the Chairman and local Member, it had also been agreed to commit £10,000 of match funding to allow a bid to go ahead for ERDF funding for the re-modelling and extension of the village hall at Helmsdale, at a total cost of over £900,000. The contribution was subject to the ERDF bid being successful. After some discussion of the support and advice available to village halls, in particular those wishing to proceed with smaller projects, the Committee (i) NOTED the current position regarding village hall developments; (ii) ENDORSED the action taken; and (iii) AGREED that the question of how village halls might be supported in future be considered in relation to the restructuring of the Education, Culture and Sport Service.

6.	SCHOOL TRANSPORT TENDERING EXERCISE There was circulated Report No ECS92/01 dated 18 October 2001 by the Director of Education on the recent school transport tendering exercise, which had included enhanced specification requirements and for the first time had been carried out on an integrated basis with staff of the Roads and Transport Service. To date all new contracts had been awarded on the basis of full compliance with the enhanced specification from commencement of the new contract period in January 2002. Tenders had been accepted in respect of 535 transport contracts at a percentage increase on the previous annual value of 1.81%, 70 further contracts were being re-tendered as the initial costs received were too high and the new annual cost to the Education Service of pupil transport on service routes represented a percentage increase of 1.88%. While the final costs could not yet be given, it appeared that they would compare very favourably with national cost trends as previously reported. The Chairman suggested that this had been a successful tendering exercise and the Committee joined with him in thanking all staff involved. In discussion points raised included the following:- - it was suggested that, in future, specifications should require contractors to fit winter tyres - it was suggested that there should be provision within the 5 year contracts to review the contracts regularly to take on board possible developments in the pre-school sector, lifelong learning etc. - several Members expressed concern about the inadequate treatment of the roads that day in light of the winter weather conditions and at the safety implications for school transport. The Committee NOTED the position and AGREED that Area Education Managers report on the position with regard to snow clearance/road gritting on school bus routes on 8th November and for a period of a month thereafter, and also seek the views of the police, with a report back to the Education, Culture and Sport and any other relevant Council Committee.

	POLICY

7.	GAELIC FOR LEARNERS IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL There was circulated Report No ECS93/01 dated 16 October 2001 by the Director of Education on proposals for the teaching of Gaelic as a second language in Highland primary schools. The Director pointed out that the original remit of the government funded Modern Languages in the Primary School (MLPS) programme had not included Gaelic, which had had a serious negative effect on the uptake of Gaelic in secondary schools. Authorities had, however, been invited to bid for Gaelic for Learners in the Primary School (GLPS) funding for session 2001/02. Highland Council had submitted a bid for £250,000 but had been awarded £20,000 out of a national budget of £60,000. The Scottish Executive had been informed that the Council would accept the offer but that it was very disappointed at the level of funding made available. It was proposed that priority for the use of the funding be given to those schools where uptake of Gaelic was low and an Appendix gave details of the numbers currently involved in secondary schools. For the future, the Government had indicated that the funding for MLPS would not be restricted to only supporting modern foreign language learning and it was, therefore, suggested that from 2002/03 a proportion of the funding be directed towards Gaelic. In discussion, reference was made to the need for the option of Gaelic to be available to pupils when they transferred to secondary schools. Information was also requested on the support and funding available for the teaching of British Sign Language. The Committee AGREED that:- i) Gaelic for Learners in the Primary School (GLPS) training be offered to 6 teachers in primary schools associated with Dingwall Academy in 2001/02; ii) similar language training be extended to the associated primaries of all the secondary schools which provided Gaelic Learners courses in subsequent years; iii) a proportion of the Modern Languages in the Primary School (MLPS) funding available to Highland in future years be allocated for this purpose and that this should be sufficient to put the teaching of Gaelic in primary schools on a par with that of other modern European languages, subject to a report back when confirmation was received of the amount which might be available; and iv) a report be submitted to a future meeting on current provision made for the teaching of British Sign Language.

8.	MODERN LANGUAGES There was circulated Report No ECS94/01 dated 17 October 2001 by the Director of Education on developments following the report of the Ministerial Action Group on Languages. The recommendations of the Action Group and the Minister's response were included in an Appendix to the report. Details were given of the main features which included ring fenced funding of £500,000 in the current year and an additional £1m for each of the next two years allocated directly to authorities to improve modern languages teaching. Points raised included the following:- - the working group which it was proposed be established should specifically consider the reintroduction of student exchange schemes and ways of encouraging schools to visit countries where language skills could be practised - the working group’s considerations should include language learning in the pre-school sector and the teaching of British Sign Language - Members with a particular interest in modern languages should be invited to attend meetings of the working group - some reservations were expressed about the current status of modern foreign languages in secondary schools and, while welcoming the report, it was suggested there was a need for more tangible improvements in the standard of teaching and for exposure to modern languages to be compulsory. The Committee AGREED that a working group be established with the remit of providing guidance to Highland schools and to the Authority on innovative ways of delivering the new entitlement arrangements for language learning and that Members with an interest in language learning be invited to attend meetings of the working group.

9.	REVIEW OF PILOT PRICING POLICY AND "HIGH LIFE" SMART CARD PROJECTS - NAIRN AND ROSS & CROMARTY There was circulated Report No ECS95/01 dated 19 October 2001 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services which reported on the six month stage of the pricing policy and the "High Life" Smart Card pilot projects for leisure facilities in Nairnshire and Ross and Cromarty. The Director gave details of the combined aims of the two pilot projects, of funding arrangements and the headline statistics following the first six months of the scheme. It was clear that there were substantial benefits from High Life that had potential to be extended Highland wide. Details were given of issues to be taken into account, proposals for immediate next steps for the expansion of the scheme and potential wider applications. It was suggested that the successful pilot was due in the main to its social inclusiveness, simplicity and attractive pricing. It was felt that these essential elements should remain key to the wider application of the scheme. The Director of Cultural and Leisure Services confirmed that the final pricing policy to be applied to the expanded High Life Scheme would be decided during the budget process. In discussion, Members commented on the success of the pilot projects, extended their congratulations to staff for the work involved and expressed the hope that other areas would benefit from the expansion of the scheme and that prices would be kept down. In response to concern expressed, however, that the proposals for the expansion of the scheme did not include leisure facilities in Inverness, the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services reported on discussions held with Caledonia Community Leisure Limited. The Committee AGREED:- (i) to congratulate the staff involved in the High Life project; (ii) the programme of "immediate next steps" outlined in the report including extending the pricing policy and Smart Card scheme to other Council leisure facilities, making application to potential funding sources for the set up costs; the establishment of a central administrative base and the beginning of a separate trial in Lochaber to test the potential of greater income generation through higher priced monthly direct debits; (iii) that further reports be submitted as required on progress in widening the application of the High Life Scheme; and (iv) discussions continue with Caledonia Community Leisure Limited with a view to their participating in the scheme as soon as possible.

10.	CONSULTATION ON ALTERATION OF DELINEATED AREAS FOR MILLAR ACADEMY AND REAY PRIMARY SCHOOLS Mr A I MacDonald, a non-member of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee had, in accordance with Standing Order No.13.2, expressed an interest in and the wish to exercise a vote on this item. There was circulated Report No ECS96/01 dated 8 October 2001 by the Director of Education on the outcome of the consultation on the proposal to alter the delineated areas for Millar Academy and Reay Primary Schools to confirm the school to be attended by pupils from the area once served by Lieurary Primary School. The report had appended to it the consultation paper and copies of three representations received. After hearing Mr A I MacDonald, the Committee AGREED to refer back to Caithness and Sutherland Area Committees consideration of alternative options for the education of pupils from the area once served by Lieurary Primary School.

11. *	PROPOSALS FOR THE RE-ZONING OF THE DELINEATED AREAS OF MILLBANK AND ROSEBANK PRIMARY SCHOOLS, NAIRN There was circulated Report No ECS97/01 dated 15 October 2001 by the Director of Education on the outcome of the consultation on the proposal to re-zone the delineated areas of Millbank and Rosebank Primary Schools, Nairn, following a detailed examination of proposed housing developments, projected school rolls and school capacities. The report gave details of the consultation process and had appended to it i) copy of the consultation paper; ii) note of a meeting held in Nairn Academy on 1 October 2001; and iii) copy of a submission received from Millbank Primary School Board The Committee AGREED to recommend that the delineated areas of the two schools be re-zoned as detailed in the consultative paper with effect from August 2002.

12.	REVIEW OF ANNUAL FESTIVALS There was circulated Report No ECS98/01 dated 31 October 2001 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services reviewing Highland-based festivals and presenting the proposed re-structuring of the Highland Festival within the context and remit of the work of other festivals. Information was given on 14 area based festivals funded by the Highland Council, including a financial profile returned from 11 of these. The Director commented on these festivals, pointing out that the Northlands Festival was distinct from other area based festivals in its scale of operation and its international dimension. This had, however, created difficulties for the organisation in matching income with expenditure in recent years. The Highland Festival was the only festival with a pan Highland remit and its scale and breadth gave it a position of national significance. Details were given of the Festival’s turnover and sources of income. The challenge of delivering a full programme of events to all eight Council areas had led to logistical and financial problems and a proposed future structure for the festival, developed jointly by the Highland Arts Partnership and Highland Festival Board, had, therefore, been put forward. In discussion, it was suggested that there was a need to review the programme put forward by the Highland Festival and continued concern was expressed by Caithness Members about the funding arrangements. The Office Bearers of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee referred, however, to a meeting held with the Chairman and Director of the Board of the Highland Festival, during which they had been reassured that the Board were addressing previous problems. They referred also to the proposed restructuring of the Board which would include Highland Council representation and confirmed that there would be consultation with Area Committees and voluntary groups. In relation to the Northlands Festival some concern was expressed that an alternative source of funding be considered other than the Caithness Area Committee. The Committee AGREED:- (i) to note the review of festival activity in the Highlands; (ii) to note the range of support mechanisms for the Northlands Trust including applying through the Caithness Area Committee or the Equalisation Fund for an additional annual grant of £5,000 should the Caithness Area Committee agree; (iii) the Joint Highland Arts Partnership/Highland Festival Board structure for the future of the Highland Festival and the need to maintain the Council’s grant at current levels; (iv) that a report be submitted to a future meeting on the Council’s representation on the Board of the Highland Festival; and (v) that consideration be given to inviting the Director of the Highland Festival to a future meeting of the Committee.

13.	EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2008 There was circulated Report No ECS99/01 dated 31 October 2001 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services updating members on the preparation of the bid to become European Capital of Culture for 2008. He gave details of the funding initially secured, including match funding from national organisations. Following reservations expressed by the two companies selected to drive forward the bid, however, about the adequacy of the available resources to mount a credible bid, meetings had been held with the Scottish Executive, the Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to request additional resources. Details were given of the additional funding proposed, which had now been confirmed in writing by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Executive and Visitscotland. The proposed uses of the additional resources were detailed. The Director of Cultural and Leisure Services pointed out that the full contribution of £84,000 requested from the Council might not be required but indicated that potential sources of funding could be identified under various budget headings within the Cultural and Leisure and the Planning and Development Services and the Inverness Common Good Fund. In discussion, reference was made to the significant amount now proposed to prepare the bid and it was suggested that, while the Council was committed to going ahead, various checks and balances should be applied. In particular, a detailed report should be received from the bid team and partnership giving full information on membership of the partnership, detailed reasons given by the consultants as to why the available resources were inadequate and the appraisal of these, what was involved in each of the elements of the bid process, who was involved in them and the cost associated with them and any revenue or capital consequences coming from the bid. The Committee should also receive regular progress reports from the partnership and details of the consultation process. The Committee NOTED the current position and AGREED that the Highland Council make a further contribution amounting to a total of £84,000 over two years, to be drawn upon as necessary, as part of the financial package to prepare a substantial bid for the European Capital of Culture 2008, subject to receiving a detailed report giving full information as detailed above.

14.	VICTORY SHIELD - UNDER 16 SCHOOLBOY INTERNATIONAL - SCOTLAND V ENGLAND There was circulated Report No ECS100/01 dated 30 October 2001 by the Director of Education advising members that the annual prestigious Under 16 Schoolboy Football International between Scotland and England was to be hosted at Victoria Park, Dingwall on 30 November 2001. The match was to be televised live on Sky TV and was likely to create much interest nationally and locally. A Steering Committee had, therefore, prepared a package to ensure maximum benefit for Highland from the opportunity this afforded. It was proposed that the Council co-sponsor the match, in return for which there would be certain benefits to the Council. The Chairman of Ross and Cromarty Area Committee had also agreed to host a reception to mark the occasion. The Committee AGREED: (i) to co-sponsor the event at a cost of £1,600 to be met from the Education Revenue Budget; and (ii) every effort be made through schools and others to ensure good attendance at the match.

	MINUTES
15.	MINUTES OF MEETINGS The Committee NOTED and where necessary APPROVED the Minutes of the following meetings:- (i) Minutes of meeting of the Joint Consultation Group (Teaching Staff) held on 3 October 2001; and (ii) Minutes of meeting of the Education Transport Appeals Committee held on 29 October 2001. Arising from the Minutes, after some discussion, it was AGREED that in future local Members be advised of meetings of the Education Transport Appeals Committee for their interest.

	POLICY (CONTINUED)

16.	THE NEW EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORT SERVICE - A DISCUSSION PAPER There was circulated Report No ECS101/01 dated 29 October 2001 by the Director of Education which offered for discussion proposals relating to operating principles, functions and management arrangements for the integrated Education, Culture and Sport Service which would be established from April 2002. A discussion paper was attached which it was proposed be circulated to engage views on the priorities and working practices of the new Service to ensure that it was serving the interests of as many stakeholders as possible. The Committee AGREED that the discussion paper be circulated to Area Committees and a range of interested parties in order to gather views on the priorities and working practices of the new Service, which would be used to influence the direction of the Service Plan for 2002-2005. At the conclusion of this item the Chairman pointed out that this would be the last meeting attended by Mr Alan Jones as Director of Cultural and Leisure Services. The Committee joined with him in thanking Mr Jones for his work for the Cultural and Leisure Service over many years.

17.	EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC The Committee RESOLVED that under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting for discussion of the following items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act, the relevant paragraphs being shown at the beginning of each item.

18.	HIGHLAND LIBRARIES - PEOPLE'S NETWORK ICT INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN Paragraph 9 There was circulated Report No ECS103/01 dated 30 October 2001 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services on discussions held between Highland Libraries, Property and Architectural Services and the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute (UHI) about the most practical and effective means of delivering Best Value and Best Fit connectivity between Highland Libraries 41 built libraries and the UHI Wide Area Network (WAN). The value of the connectivity work was estimated at £134,000 with on-costs of approximately £133,000 per annum for line rental and charges. Funding for this was available within the overall allocation of £714,000 received from the New Opportunities Fund for the People’s Network. It would be normal practice to tender for works of this value. However, the Committee was asked to approve an exemption to the Council’s Financial Regulations and Contract Standing Orders to form a partnership agreement with UHI for the delivery of Libraries/UHI WAN connectivity on a "managed service" basis. In discussion, the Director of Education confirmed that concerns expressed by Members about the current educational agreement with UHI were being addressed and there would be a rigid service level agreement with UHI in relation to the Partnership Agreement between UHI and Highland Libraries. There was also a general discussion of progress with UHI and whether the Committee might have the opportunity to comment on current and proposed developments. The Committee APPROVED:- i) the development of a formal partnership agreement between Highland Libraries and UHI for the reasons outlined in the report; ii) an exemption to Financial Regulations and Contract Standing Orders in this regard, subject to all parties agreeing and signing up to a formal "Partnership Agreement" to enable Highland Libraries to contract with UHI for connection to the UHI WAN; and iii) that the Chief Executive of UHI be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee to report on progress with UHI.

19.	PROPOSED SERVICE STRUCTURES Paragraph 1 There was circulated Report No ECS102/01 dated 31 October 2001 by the Director of Education which proposed structures, functions and responsibilities for Heads of Service posts in the new Education, Culture and Sport Service. It also proposed that there be consultation with staff and their representatives on the final shape of the service structures which would be prepared for the Committee meeting on 24 January 2002. After a full discussion, during which the Director answered points raised by Members, the Committee AGREED i) the proposed Heads of Service structures outlined in Appendix 1 to the report, subject to the Head of Transition also having responsibility for ensuring that links were made across all areas of responsibility covered by the other Heads of Service and "events" being included within the remit of the Head of Community Services; ii) that the Director of Education, Culture and Sport prepare detailed job specifications, conditions of service and appointments procedures for these posts for submission to the Resources Committee on 5 December 2001; iii) the Director of Education, Culture and Sport prepare a full set of structures for the Education, Culture and Sport Committee meeting on 24 January 2002; and iv) the proposals for the revised structures be subject to the full range of consultations.

	The meeting ended at 2.00 p.m.