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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 13 March, 2003 at 10.30 a.m.
PRESENT
Mr T Jackson
Mr J W Oag
Mr W Mowat
Mrs B Jardine
Mr D Allan
Mr A Anderson
Mr A Rhind
Mr R W Durham
Mrs C A Wilson
Mrs M E 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 A MacLennan
Mr A J Dick
Mrs J N Home
Mr J N Matheson
Mrs L MacDonald
Mrs S Slimon
Mr G M Bruce
Dr M E M Foxley
Mr N M Clark
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NON-MEMBERS ALSO PRESENT: |
Mr D C M Flear
Mr G M Smith
Mr W J Ross
Mr D W Briggs
Dr D Alston
Mr M M Downie
Mr G Coutts
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Mr R Lyon
Mr D Fraser
Mr R Severn
Mr C King
Mr W MacLachlan
Mrs O J Macdonald
Mr A R McFarlane Slack |
Officials in attendance:
Mr B Robertson, Director of Education, Culture & Sport
Mr H Fraser, Head of Support Services, Education, Culture & Sport
Mr D MacDonald, Head of Education Services, Education, Culture & Sport
Mr J Fyfe, Head of Transition, Education, Culture & Sport
Mr I Murray, Head of Community Learning & Leisure, Education, Culture & Sport
Mr B Alexander, Head of Service (Children, Young People and Families)
Mr R MacKenzie, Education, Culture and Sport Finance Manager
Mr B Hemming, Resources Manager, Education, Culture & 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
Mrs M E Paterson open the meeting with prayer.
At the commencement of the meeting Daniel Thorpe, Cara MacNeill, Norrie MacIver and Colin
Masterton, pupils from the Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton High
School, gave a short musical performance. Before the performance, Mr D Pincock, Director
of the Centre, outlined the background to the Centre and achievements so far and thanked
the Scottish Executive and Highland Council for their support.
On behalf of the Committee the Chairman congratulated the pupils on an excellent and most
enjoyable performance.
1. |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr R Saxon, Mr J Gray, Mr B M S Dunlop,
Mr J McDonald, Rev A Glass and Rev C MacLeod. |
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2. |
SUCCESSES
The Committee NOTED the following and AGREED that congratulations be
conveyed to those concerned:-
* Moray Dolphins Synchronised Ice Skating Team from Inverness, the only team representing
Scotland, had won a bronze medal in the British Championships in January.
* The website devised by P4-P7 children from Sleat Primary School, exploring links between
Sleat and Cape Breton, had been awarded a "Commended Project" in the final
judges meeting from a total of 270 project entries in the current year’s C&S
Childnet Awards.
* In the current round of Community Fund major grant awards the following Highland
projects had been awarded £755,000 out of a total allocation of £3.5million (just over
20%).
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Kincraig Village Hall - £84,000
Glendale Community Hall - £271,000
Out of School Care Federation - £286,000
Swing Park Savers (Corpach) - £47,000
Wick Play Areas Community Group - £67,000
* Sheena MacGillivray, Assistant Head Teacher at Nairn Academy, had recently been
shortlisted for the Global Teachers Millennium Awards with awards being confirmed on 20
March.
* Health Promoting Schools: Ullapool Primary and Ullapool High Schools in partnership with
Lochbroom Leisure Centre had been providing pupils with a daily exercise programme during
the current term supervised by Leisure Centre Staff. In addition lunchtime exercise
sessions were available and there were free swimming lessons for all primary pupils.
* William MacKay, Principal Teacher of PE at Golspie High School, had been seconded to the
post of Junior Golf Development Officer. His role would be to develop links between
schools and golf clubs to increase the participation of young people in the sport. The
Highland Junior Golf Championship would take place at Carnegie Golf Club, Skibo Castle on
Tuesday 15th April, 2003.
* Elaine Kirkham, had been appointed to the new post of Principal Staffing Resources
Manager for the Education, Culture and Sport Service and would take up her new post on 1st
April, 2003.
* World Book Day had been celebrated on 6th March, 2003 through a wide range of events in
schools and libraries. The most exciting event had been at Achiltibuie where the Library
hosted a visit from the whole school as part of a buddy arrangement with a library in Fort
Portal in Uganda.
* People’s Network: A recent survey undertaken for the Scottish Libraries and
Information Council had shown average use in Highland was at 80% of total capacity. Free
access to a wide range of information was available including most recently Britannica
on-line.
* The Skye and Lochalsh Heritage Fair would be held on 14th and 15th March 2003 in Portree
and would include exhibitions, traditional music and Gaelic song and school projects,
finishing with a youth ceilidh on Saturday evening with guests from Cape Breton.
* There would be a screening of the finished work of the First Light Film Project on
Tuesday 18th March, 2003 at 5.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
The Committee also NOTED that Room 13 at Caol Primary School had recently featured
in a programme broadcast on Channel 4. |
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RESOURCES
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3. |
REVENUE BUDGET
There had been circulated the following reports on Revenue Expenditure:-
(a) Education, Culture & Sport Revenue Expenditure 2002/03 – Monitoring
Report No. ESC12/03 dated 3 March, 2003 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on
Revenue Expenditure on the Education, Culture and Sport Service for the period 1 April,
2002 to 31st January, 2003 and on the projected year end position. The statement showed a
projected overspend at that time of £373,000.
Points raised in discussion included the following:-
* In response to concern that some Area Committees had contained their expenditure within
budget but subsequently been asked to make savings to off-set over-expenditure elsewhere,
the Director advised that pressures on the budget were demand led, could occur at random
throughout the Council and had to be managed in order to deliver the Service.
* Members were urged to be cautious in developing the Early Education Service in light of
the position which had arisen whereby the level of staffing was in some cases greater than
the funding available.
* It was confirmed that action was being taken corporately to address problems arising
from delays in processing energy charges.
* The Director reported that he had raised at the General Teaching Council the suggestion
of a Change Fund to help meet the likely costs of early retirements and the winding-down
scheme under the McCrone Agreement.
The Committee NOTED the current position and APPROVED the continued actions
outlined in the report.
(b) Education, Culture and Sport Budget 2003/04
Report No. ECS13/03 dated 3rd March, 2003 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport
which provided details of the draft Revenue Budget for the Education, Culture and Sport
Service for 2003/04. The report outlined the budget strategy approved by the Council, gave
details of funding available to the Service and current pressures on the budget and set
out a proposed budget strategy for consideration by members.
In discussion points raised included the following:-
* Reference was made to the reductions in the budget arising from falling school rolls. It
was suggested that, as the Scottish Executive wished to promote education, it should allow
smaller classes and, in light of parents’ concerns at the loss of a teacher from a
school, the Committee was asked to consider ways of delaying the removal of a teacher
where a roll had reduced. The Director indicated that, while he was sympathetic towards
the views of parents and teachers, the funding received from the Executive related to the
number of pupils. He was aware of the concerns, however, and primary staffing arrangements
for the next school session would not be finalised until mid-May.
* The Director also confirmed that discussions were ongoing through the Convention of
Scottish Local Authorities on the question of super-sparsity which would help but not
solve the problem in relation to falling school rolls. The Chairman wished to record his
gratitude to school board representatives for their support in pursuing the issue of
super-sparsity and McCrone funding.
* Reference was made to the meeting of the Committee on 15th August, 2002 when the new
structure for Community Learning and Leisure Services had been approved on the
understanding that the Chairman and Director would meet with Members from Caithness and
Sutherland to explore means of further enhancing capacity in these two areas with a view
to attempting to ensure the establishment of a dedicated Manager for each Area. Mr T
Jackson expressed his concern that this matter had not been resolved and a bid to the
Budget Working Group had not been successful. He sought an assurance that funding would be
found to establish a separate post in each Area in the interests of equity of provision
and in light of the benefits to the community. The Chairman outlined the avenues which had
been explored and suggested a way forward which might be pursued by the Caithness and
Sutherland Members.
The Committee AGREED:-
(i) to approve the budget strategy outlined in Section 4 of the report;
(ii) that regular monitoring reports, including a budget update paper, be submitted to
Committee in September/October once school rolls were known;
(iii) that the budget strategy be communicated to stakeholders;
(iv) to the transfer of £1.775m from the Education, Culture and Sport Budget to the
Social Work Service in order to enable the new management arrangements for Childcare
Strategy and Surestart to be implemented from 1st April, 2003; and
(v) that school boards be advised of the date for finalising staffing levels for schools
and the Director report to the new Council on possible "buffering" arrangements
for schools where due to reductions, or increases, in the roll the staffing complement was
due to change.
(b) Devolved School Management Scheme
Report No. ECS14/03 dated 3rd March, 2003 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport
on proposed modifications to the Devolved School Management (DSM) Scheme which would
result in more funding being devolved to the direct management of head teachers and a
simplification of the associated accounting arrangements.
There was some discussion of the need to check that schools were achieving Best Value in
their devolved budgets and be sure that there was proper accountability. There was also
some concern about the role of school boards in relation to schools’ expenditure. It
was suggested that they were often working in isolation and it might be useful for them to
be provided with some sort of benchmark comparing their school with other similar schools.
The Committee APPROVED the following refinements to the Scheme;
(i) that further funding for teachers’ absence cover and travel be devolved to
schools;
(ii) that the funding for classroom assistants, integrated education and some of the
government initiative funding be incorporated within the scheme of devolved school
management;
(iii) the simplification of the accounting arrangements for DSM;
(iv) the implementation of formal reporting of the outcomes achieved from the uses of
government initiative funding.
It was also AGREED that the Head of Internal Audit and Risk Management report to
Area Committees on audits carried out of schools’ devolved budgets |
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4. |
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
There had been circulated the following reports on Capital Expenditure:-
(a) Capital Programme 2002/03 – Monitoring
Report No. ECS15/03 dated 4th March, 2003 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport
on expenditure on the Education, Culture and Sport Service Capital Programme for the
period 1st April, 2002 to 31st January, 2003. The report detailed the current projected
overspend, related pressures on the capital budget, slippage on projects and the impact of
projected income not likely to be received in financial year 2002/03. It also dealt with
the appointment of an Architect for design work at Milton of Kildary Community Centre and
Milton Primary School, with the award of contract for improved security screens for a
pilot scheme at Crown Primary School and the allocation of funding from the Education,
Culture and Sport Challenge Fund.
In discussion, reference was made to the capital receipts arising from the sale of
Education properties which could represent a considerable amount of funding. Specific
reference was made to delays in the disposal of the old school at Spean Bridge. The
Chairman pointed out that capital receipts were considered as a corporate resource and did
not, therefore, appear in the Education, Culture and Sport Capital Plan. It was suggested
that the Committee should nonetheless be advised of the funding available.
In reply to a question reference was made to current SEN provision being made in schools
and it was confirmed that the Council’s strategy in relation to the Disability
Discrimination Act was now being prepared for submission to the Scottish Executive and
funding had been set aside for this in the following year.
After discussion, the Committee NOTED the position and AGREED:-
(i) to homologate the decision of the Director in consultation with the Chairman, to
employ Joyce White, Architect for design work at Milton;
(ii) to approve the award of contract to Grampian Security at a cost of £9,424.87 for the
installation of security screens at Crown Primary School;
(iii) on the recommendation of the Portfolio Holders Group that £2,470 from the
Education, Culture and Sport Challenge Fund be allocated to Reay Primary School for the
development of a multi-sports pitch; and
(iv) that officials investigate progress on the sale of the old school at Spean Bridge and
the position generally with regard to capital receipts from education properties.
(b) Building Our Future – Scotland’s School Estate
There was circulated Report No. ECS16/03 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport
on the development of a National School Estate Strategy launched in the recently published
joint Scottish Executive and COSLA document "Building Our Future –
Scotland’s School Estate". The strategy document set out a vision and objectives
aimed at achieving long-term improvements in the School Estate. At local level School
Estate Management Plans would be required to set out realistic and prioritised options for
improving the School Estate. The Director gave details of actions required to produce and
submit a Management Plan. Funding would be allocated by the Scottish Executive towards the
development of the School Estate Strategy and Highland Council’s allocation would be
approximately £120,000 in the financial year 2003/04. Detailed guidance on the use of
this would be provided in due course. In terms of funding for improvement works the School
Building Improvement Fund allocation of £1.2m in the current financial year would be
increased to £1.6m in financial year 2003/04 and £3.4m in financial years 2004/05 and
2005/06.
In discussion, it was suggested that the strategy should set out a vision of the physical
environment contributing positively to health as well as education. It was also requested
that Area Education Managers and Local Members be involved in drawing up and prioritising
projects within the School Estate Management Plan.
The Committee NOTED the content of the report and AGREED that the £400,000
additional funding available in 2003/04 from the School Building Improvement Fund be
allocated against high cost unplanned building failure and health and safety issues, with
the remaining funding being allocated 50% against ICT Infrastructure and 50% to Areas for
local prioritisation as at present. |
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POLICY
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5.
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PPP2 – RESULTS OF STATUTORY CONSULTATIONS
In terms of Standing Order No 13.2 the following Members had applied for and been
granted Local Member votes:
Mr D Fraser (Item 5 (i))
Dr D Alston (Item 5 (v))
Mr A R McFarlane Slack, Local Member for Item 5 (iv), declared a non-pecuniary interest in
this item in terms of Standing Order No 21.2.
There were circulated reports by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the
results of the statutory consultations carried out in relation to sites proposed for new
schools to be built under the second Public Private Partnership as follows:-
(i) Cawdor Primary School
Report No. ECS17/03 on the outcome on the statutory consultation undertaken in connection
with the replacement of Cawdor Primary School with a new building on an identified site in
Cawdor Village. The report gave details of the consultation process and had attached to it
copies of the consultation paper, Minute of a meeting held with parents on 20th February,
2003 and four written representations received. Parents, members of Cawdor School Board
and of Cawdor and West Nairnshire
Community Council had expressed strong support for the proposal to build a primary school
incorporating community facilities on the site identified in the consultation paper.
After hearing the Local Member, Mr D Fraser, the Committee AGREED to recommend that
a new primary school incorporating community facilities be built on the site identified in
the consultation paper.
(ii) Inverness New Primary School
Report No. ECS18/03 on the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposal to build
a primary school incorporating a facility for pupils with special educational needs in the
Inshes area of the City of Inverness. The report gave details of the consultation process
and had appended to it a copy of the consultation paper, Minute of a meeting with parents
held on 27th February, 2003 and copy of one written submission received. The parents,
members of Drakies School Safety Team and members of the Culcabock and Drakies Community
Council had expressed strong support for the original proposal to build the school and it
appeared that the identified site was an acceptable location.
After hearing the Local Member, Mrs J N Home, the Committee AGREED to recommend
that a primary school incorporating a facility for pupils with special educational needs
be built on the site identified in the consultation paper.
(iii) Inverness Gaelic Medium School
Report No. ECS19/03 on the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposal to
identify a site for a primary school for pupils being educated through the medium of
Gaelic within the City of Inverness and Area boundary. The report gave details of the
consultation process and had appended to it copy of the consultation paper, Minute of a
meeting with parents held on 26th February, 2003 and copies of 8 representations received.
Copies of a further 4 representations received after the closing date for submissions were
tabled. Comann Nam Parant (Inbhir Nis) and individual parents had expressed strong support
for the proposal to build the school and it appeared that the identified site was an
acceptable location.
After hearing the Chairman, who had chaired the consultation meeting, the Committee AGREED
to recommend that a primary school for pupils being educated through the medium of Gaelic
be built on the site identified in the consultation paper.
(iv) Kinlochleven High and Primary Schools
Report No.ESC20/03 dated 4th March, 2003 on the outcome of the consultation on the
identification of a site for a new Kinlochleven High School and a new Kinlochleven Primary
School to replace the existing buildings. The report set out the background to the
proposal and the consultation process and had appended to it copies of the consultation
paper, Minute of a meeting with parents held on 19th February, 2003 and 7 written
submissions received. The Director indicated that it was clear that most of those present
at the consultation meeting were of the view that the secondary building should be
constructed on the Kinlochleven Land Development Trust (KLDT) site adjacent to the
community centre. This view was supported by the High School Board, Lochaber College and
the Head Teacher of Kinlochleven High School. One submission indicated a preference for
the new primary school being located on the KLDT site. Two submissions and a petition
indicated a preference for the two schools being built on the existing school site.
Further research was required on the assessment of the flood risk at the KLDT site.
After hearing the Local Member, Mr A R McFarlane Slack, Mr N Clark and Dr M E M Foxley,
the Committee AGREED to recommend that the two schools be built on the Kinlochleven
Land Development Trust site.
(v) Cullicudden/Newhall New Primary School
Report No. ECS21/03 dated 27th February, 2003 on the outcome of the statutory consultation
on the site for the new school arising from the amalgamation of Cullicudden and Newhall
Primary Schools. The report gave details of the consultation process and had appended to
it a copy of the consultation paper and Minute of a meeting with parents held on 25
February 2003. At that meeting a further three potential sites had been identified and the
consultation period had, therefore, been extended to Friday 7th March, 2003 to allow all
those consulted the opportunity to state a preference for one of the 5 sites now under
consideration. Supplementary Report No. ECS21A/03 by the Director of Education, Culture
and Sport was circulated to advise members of the outcome of the consultation in light of
the extended deadline. Copies of 24 written submissions received were appended to this
report. No clear consensus had been put forward as to the preferred site but details of
stated preferences were given.
After hearing the Local Member, Dr D Alston, the Committee AGREED to recommend that
the new school arising from the amalgamation of Cullicudden and Newhall Primary Schools be
built on Site 3 identified in the consultation paper and subsequent explanatory letter,
failing which, if for some reason the site proved not to be suitable, Sites 2,4 or 5. |
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6. |
FLEXIBILITY IN THE CURRICULUM
There was circulated Report No. ECS22/03 dated 4th March, 2003 by the Director of
Education, Culture & Sport on a draft report on Flexibility in the Curriculum which
had been produced by a working group set up by the Council following the publication of
guidance by the Scottish Executive. The draft report, which had been the subject of wide
discussion with schools and other stakeholders, including the Youth Voice Network, was
circulated separately.
The report endorsed the principles of breadth, balance and progression on which the
curriculum was organised at present. However, it also took the view that too many young
people were not sufficiently challenged or provided for by the current curriculum. In line
with the National Priorities for Education, which encouraged Councils to explore more
flexible ways of offering the curriculum, the report identified a wide range of practical
actions already taken by some schools and innovative approaches for others to follow or
for the Council to support. It included developments in primary and secondary schools and
alternative curricula and links with further education colleges. It also committed the
Council to exploiting new technology to develop new ways of enabling learners to access
the curriculum. In the longer term it envisaged the setting up of a Virtual School. The
Council would support the implementation of the policy through the New Education
Developments Manager post.
The Director gave a presentation on this and the following item, setting out the key
issues and demonstrating the use of the new technology to make links to relevant web
sites.
In discussion, points raised included the need for in-service training in information
technology, lessons to be learned from the Porsgrunn Project in Norway in enhancing youth
involvement in decision-making; the need for choice within the curriculum; current
proposals for a review of Local Learning Partnerships and Education Business Partnerships;
the potential for links between the curriculum and sustainable development; the need for
reports back to Committee, the Portfolio Holders and Area Committees on the outcomes of
the two policy reports; and the need to make Well Being Alliance partners aware of the
support available to help young people.
The Committee APPROVED the contents of the report. |
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7. |
SUPPORT FOR LEARNERS POLICY FRAMEWORK
There was circulated Report No. ECS23/03 dated 3rd March, 2003 by the Director of
Education, Culture and Sport which outlined the policy framework for support for learners
for all educational establishments and clarified where staff, parents and other
stakeholders could obtain further information on policy and practice.
The Director pointed out that throughout the learning process, from early childhood
through school and further education into lifelong learning, most learners required at
some stage support in the learning process. The Council had a policy of inclusive
education practice and attached great importance to meeting the needs of all pupils in
local mainstream schools, in partner centres and in communities where this was in the best
interests of the pupil. He made reference to recent legislation which covered this area of
education and the draft Bill recently issued by the Scottish Executive for consultation
relating to additional support needs. The Director gave details of the implications of the
legislation for the Service. He then set out the policy framework which had been subject
to consultation with schools, voluntary organisations and other stakeholders as
appropriate.
The Committee APPROVED the Support for Learners Policy Framework for circulation to
all education establishments. |
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8. |
RESPONSE TO NATIONAL DEBATE
There was circulated Report No.ECS23/03 dated 28th February, 2003 by the Director of
Education, Culture and Sport which summarised the Scottish Executive response to the
National Debate on Education, assessed the Highland Council’s position in relation to
the key priorities outlined and proposed future action.
The Director suggested that it was pleasing to note that much of what was being supported
was already very much a part of the Council’s policy framework or was included in the
Service Plan for the period 2002/05. He summarised the key priorities in relation to
curriculum and assessment; class size and pupil/teacher ratios; discipline in schools;
improvement of school buildings; budgets for head teachers; teachers qualifications;
involving parents and strengthening the role of inspection. In relation to this latter
point he had some concerns about the suggestion that HMI be given powers to act in the
case of failing schools or authorities as he felt that powers were already available to
councils in respect of under-performing schools or staff.
In discussion points raised included the following:-
* It was suggested that there was a contradiction between the Scottish Executive’s
aim of strengthening the role of inspection and providing more frequent reports to parents
and their vision for the future of having teachers spend more time teaching rather than on
unnecessary bureaucracy, and of having a more flexible curriculum.
* Reference was also made to the importance of learning through play and the need to move
away from the current tendency towards having a set curriculum for nursery and early
education. It was suggested that Highland could produce a nursery education model for
Scotland.
* It was suggested that there should be more emphasis on providing appropriate outside
facilities at schools.
The Committee NOTED the Scottish Executive response and AGREED that the new
Council be asked to address the detail of any policy changes that might follow after the
May elections. |
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MINUTES
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9. |
MINUTES OF MEETINGS
The Committee NOTED:-
(i) Minutes of a Meeting of Inverness Highland 2008 held on 20th January, 2003.
Arising from this item, in reply to a question, the Director explained the background to
the management fee paid to Hi-Arts.
(ii) Minutes of Meetings of the Education Transport Appeals Committee held on 23rd January
and 26th February, 2003;
and APPROVED
(iii) Minutes of a Meeting of the Highland Council Local Negotiating Committee for
Teaching Staff held on 19th February, 2003. |
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10. |
VALEDICTORY
At the conclusion of the meeting, prior to a further performance by the pupils from the
Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, the Chairman pointed out that this was the last
meeting of the Committee before the elections in May and expressed his thanks to the
Members of the Committee, the Portfolio Holders, staff and representatives of the media
for their hard work, help and co-operation over the last four years.
Members of the Committee expressed their appreciation also of the Chairman’s
leadership in chairing the Committee over that period.
The meeting ended at 12.40 p.m. |
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