The Committee considered reports on Capital Expenditure, copies of which had been circulated, as follows:-

1. Capital Programme 2002/03 – Monitoring

There was circulated Report No ECS77/02 dated 4th November, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on expenditure on the Education, Culture and Sport Service Capital Programme for the period 1st April to 30th September, 2002.

The Committee NOTED the position.

2. Combination of Education and Culture and Sport Elements of the Capital Allocation

There was circulated Report No ECS78/02 dated 4th November, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which identified a draft Capital Programme for the Culture and Sport element of the Education, Culture and Sport Service; identified the reasoning behind the proposed capital allocations based on the current condition of Culture and Sport facilities; and included proposals for the preparation of an asset management strategy for Education houses and miscellaneous assets on the Education, Culture and Sport account. If accepted, the draft programme would be merged with the previously agreed Education capital element in the Education, Culture and Sport Capital Programme.

In discussion, points raised included the following:-

The Committee AGREED:

1. that Property and Architectural Services report on an asset management strategy for Education houses and officials also look into the time taken to dispose of surplus properties;
2. that, in order to promote a corporate approach to the management of the Education, Culture and Sport Service sites/properties identified in Appendix 1, Property and Architectural Services undertake a review of these sites/properties and other properties identified by Members, with report back to the relevant Area Committee;
3. to approve the draft Capital Plan as per Appendix 2 and as outlined in the report;
4. to adopt an integrated Capital Programme for the Education, Culture and Sport Service; and
5. that consideration be given to improved marketing of tourist related and other facilities held on the Education, Culture and Sport Account.

There was circulated Report No ECS79/02 dated 4th November, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the current position regarding village hall developments and the prioritisation of projects for funding from the Local Capital Grants Scheme. It was pointed out that, while demand remained high, potential sources of funding for community hall projects were contracting and it would, therefore, be more problematic for hall committees to access funding in future. With regard to the Local Capital Grants Scheme there was a limited budget for all of Scotland and usually the Scottish Executive would provide funding for one village hall in Highland in any one year. This was a match-funding scheme and the Council had to provide financial support for the projects it prioritised. The Portfolio Holders Group had agreed criteria for the assessment of projects and details were given of three projects, which were sufficiently developed technically to be assessed.

In discussion, reference was made to the significant amount of work which had been done by community groups in each of the three areas; to the importance of village halls to the community and for tourism; to opportunities which might be available to develop projects in relation to the Year of Highland Culture 2006; to the need to challenge the suggestion that funding would only be available for one village hall per year; to the suggestion that communities might be encouraged to develop projects in conjunction with schools or other public service building projects such as fire stations; and to other funding streams which community groups might be able to access.

The Committee NOTED the current position and:

1. APPROVED the recommendation that the Kingussie project should be submitted as a first priority for Scottish Executive funding in 2003/04;
2. ENDORSED the recommendation that the Council should work with the Glendale and Mey projects, if they were successful in obtaining Community Fund support, to help secure final funding packages; and
3. AGREED that the possible joint development and use of facilities by public services and communities be investigated.

There was circulated Joint Report No ECS80/02 dated 6th November, 2002 by the Directors of Education, Culture and Sport, Transport, Environmental and Community Services and Planning and Development recommending a response to the Scottish Executive on the draft Guidance to Local Authorities on the Implementation of the National Cultural Strategy. Comments were invited by 13th January, 2003. The draft guidance detailed nine areas of local authorities’ activities relating to culture. It was proposed that the Council welcome and agree with the broad thrust of the guidance and put forward examples of good practice in Highland that could be highlighted in the final version of the guidance.

In discussion, members welcomed the suggestion of an over-arching cultural strategy and the proposal to put forward examples of good practice but suggested that the response should make clear that the promotion of Gaelic culture in Highland extended beyond the Feisan movement. Reference was also made to disappointment expressed at a recent tourism seminar at the lack of a conference centre in Inverness, which was an issue it was hoped the Council would pursue.

There was circulated Report No ECS81/02 dated 10th October, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on a proposed response from Highland Council to the Scottish Executive’s consultation on an Action Plan for Museums and Galleries in Scotland. Comments had been requested by 6th December, 2002. The proposed response recommended the establishment of a Museums body for Scotland; referred to Highland Council’s approach of working in partnership with the voluntary sector through service level agreements; suggested that Government funding be allocated to ensure adequate core funding for collection care; made recommendations with regard to performance indicators and the artefact disposal procedure and suggested that while the use of IT could expand the availability of information about artefacts it should not be seen as a replacement for the objects themselves which should always be on display as close as possible to their origin.

In discussion, reference was made to the current position in Scotland and recent discussions in relation to the process for deciding where artefacts should reside and to moves to retain artefacts within local communities. Reference was also made, however, to concerns regarding the Museum in Tain and it was noted that a report on this would be submitted to an early meeting of the Ross and Cromarty Area Committee.

There was circulated Report No ECS82/02 dated 31st October, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out a strategy for Gaelic Education in the Highland Council and recommended adoption of the Strategy as Council policy. An amended report incorporating the views expressed by the Gaelic Working Group at a meeting on 7 November, 2002 was tabled. The report set out recommendations with regard to the provision of Gaelic Medium Education, support provided outwith schools, second language teaching, adult education, teacher supply and learning and teaching.

A press release from the University of Aberdeen was tabled announcing that they proposed to develop a two year postgraduate part-time teaching qualifications for English and Gaelic medium primary teachers to be offered by open and distance learning.

The Committee welcomed the announcement which it was hoped would help in attracting additional Gaelic medium teachers.

In discussion of the proposed Strategy, points raised included the following:-

The Committee APPROVED the detailed recommendations contained in the report and AGREED:

1. a strategy for Gaelic Education and Early Years Services in the Highland Council area;
2. that discussions be pursued with the new Bord Gaidhlig na H-Alba on the provision of capital funding for Gaelic infrastructure and a more appropriate level of specific grant for the Highlands.

There was circulated Report No ECS83/02 dated 1st November, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which outlined the Statutory Performance Indicators for the Service and the key issues arising from the outcomes reported for 2001-2002. Reference was also made to local Performance Indicators and it was reported that a Standards and Quality Report for Highland Education would be submitted to the January meeting of the Committee.

There was circulated Report No ECS84/02 dated 23 October, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which gave an update on the establishment of the Highland Football Academy, which was a partnership between the Ross County and Caledonian Thistle Football Clubs and the Council. It also proposed solutions to land tenure issues relating to the use by the Football Academy of Council playing fields at Jubilee Park, Dingwall and Charleston Academy, Inverness.

After discussion, during which it was suggested that the guarantee given in the event of the Highland Football Academy ceasing to exist should make clear that the facilities would be kept available for the development of football and other sports for the 21 year period, the Committee NOTED progress and AGREED:

1. to the development of a memorandum of understanding with the Highland Football Academy and Sportscotland rather than a lease of Council facilities, as laid down in paragraph 3.1 of the report and subject to the agreement of the Inverness and Ross and Cromarty Area Committees;
2. that, to assist Ross and Cromarty Area Committee in its consideration of the issues relating to the proposed use of Common Good land, the Head of Legal Services obtain Counsel’s Opinion on the approach outlined in the report; and
3. a further report be submitted on the potential for use of the facilities by other clubs.

There was circulated Report No ECS85/02 dated 1st November, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which updated Members on the current situation regarding the 2008 Capital of Culture Bid. While the bid had been unsuccessful, it was recommended that the Council continue to work with the partner agencies to retain and build on the planning and best practice that was reflected in the bid process. In particular there was a wish to mainstream aspects of the bid with the policy of the Education, Culture and Sport Service.

The Director of Education, Culture and Sport indicated that the Board of Inverness Highland 2008 would now meet to decide on their options for the future, given the announcement by the Scottish Executive of a Scottish Year of Highland Culture in 2006. It was felt that the Board might still have a role in preparing for 2006 and there would be a report back to the partners involved.

In discussion points raised included the following:-

The Committee AGREED that:

1. Officers continue to work with national and local agencies to
   
   - Ensure the maximum legacy from the 2008 Capital of Culture process
   - Develop the Cultural Pledge proposal
   - Develop selected capital projects through a range of mechanisms
   - Develop the opportunity offered by a national year of celebration of Highland Culture
   
2. Officers prepare a briefing paper, addressing issues surrounding the Capital of Culture bid, for the Highland Council meeting of 19 December, 2002;
3. a report be submitted to a future meeting on options proposed by the Board of Inverness Highland 2008 for their future given the announcement of the Scottish Year of Highland Culture 2006; and
4. plans be progressed to hold a Seminar in 2003 to discuss access issues.

There was circulated Report No ECS86/02 dated 5th November, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which presented the conclusions of a report provided for the Budget Working Group by Genesis Strategic Management Consultants on the management and operation of the Inverness Sports Centre and Aquadome. The report also presented the initial reaction of the Board of Caledonia Community Leisure Ltd (CCLL) at its meeting on 18 October, 2002. The Director updated Members on the views of the Board of CCLL as expressed at a further meeting held on 11th November, 2002.

In summary the Management Consultants believed that the Aquadome was an outstanding facility with enormous potential for success. They suggested that an appropriate range of deficit support should be between £750,000 and £900,000 and that potential existed to reduce the deficit from the top of that range, mainly through increasing income rather than reducing expenditure. They put forward proposals for widening the representation on the Board of Caledonia Community Leisure Limited (CCLL) and called for robust business planning, increased Council service support and a management structure focussed on the facility which could lead to significant improvement in the management and operation of the facility.

Mr Brian Porteous of Genesis Management Consultants gave a presentation, commenting in detail on the main findings of the report. He suggested that many of the difficulties related to exaggerated expectations and there was a major problem in relation to marketing. It was an outstanding and important facility, however, and with the changes suggested had enormous potential for success.

The Chairman stressed that he was personally committed to making the Aquadome one of the best facilities in Scotland. Mr Porteous answered questions from Members and points raised in discussion included the following:-

The Committee AGREED:

1. to adopt the findings of the Genesis Management Consultants;
2. to confirm the recommendations of the Budget Working Group to call for the development of a Business Plan and Marketing Strategy for the Aquadome to ensure that robust financial and performance management arrangements were in place prior to any further funding commitment by the Council;
3. to develop the Council Service Support option in conjunction with CCLL to a point where there could be an agreed management and operational basis for the Aquadome within the legal profile of a charitable trust;
4. that Service officials continue discussions with the Board of CCLL to finalise the recommendations on Board composition and management structures within the overall terms of the Genesis recommendations, noting the suggestion that consideration include the possible involvement of staff on the Board;
5. that a further report be presented once discussions with CCLL were completed; and
6. that meantime a "Letter of Comfort" be sent to CCLL confirming the Council’s willingness in principle to provide further funding, subject to the above recommendations being met.

There was circulated Report No ECS87/02 dated 1st November, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport referring to the incidence of ‘flu amongst teaching staff with consequent disruption to pupils’ education and proposing that as a pilot scheme ‘flu vaccinations be offered at no cost and on a voluntary take-up basis to all teaching staff in the Nairn Area. The cost of the voluntary vaccination pilot programme was estimated at approximately £1,200. The scheme would be evaluated to assess the appropriateness of an extended voluntary vaccination scheme in the future.

There was circulated Report No ECS88/02 dated 5th November, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the current position relating to the Visiting Teaching Service in Highland which indicated a significant variation in the provision of visiting teachers both by specialism and by number across the Areas of the Council. The report referred to the background to the provision of the Visiting Teaching Service and current issues relating to provision. It was suggested that there was a need to establish a strategy for both the nature of the Service and the extent of provision within the terms of the McCrone Agreement. Accordingly it was proposed that a full review be undertaken.

In discussion, the following points were raised:-

The Committee AGREED that :-

1. the status quo in relation to the Visiting Teaching Service be maintained meantime, subject to the submission of proposals for a transitional arrangement if the development of a new approach using opportunities provided within the McCrone Agreement was delayed; and

There was circulated Report No ECS89/02 dated 6th November, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which outlined proposals for the implementation of the Best Value Review – Improving Administration in an Integrated Education, Culture and Sport Service. The report gave the background to the review, the objectives set and the major themes emerging from the review. It outlined the current position and put forward proposals in relation to a range of administrative developments designed to improve service by creating a network of function specific units located across the Highland Council area.

In discussion, the following points were raised:-

The Committee AGREED:

1. the principle of establishing function specific administrative units as set out in the report;
2. the rationale for proceeding firstly to establish a staffing unit and for participation in the development of the integrated transport unit; and

The Committee NOTED the Minutes of the following meetings, copies of which had been circulated:-

1. Minutes of a Meeting of Inverness Highland 2008 held on 13th August, 2002; and

There was circulated to Members only Report No ECS90/02 dated 22 October, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which identified to Members a way forward with respect to the removal of the demountable units at Fortrose Academy and the old Glen Urquhart High School through the formation of a negotiated partnership with a contractor who would remove all units from the said sites and, in so doing, lay aside those which were suitable for future use by the Council and dispose of those remaining.

The Committee AGREED to adopt the partnership approach and APPROVED tender negotiation with Scotia Cabins, Nairn as per the terms of Part 2(C) Section 2(V) of the Council’s Contract Standing Orders in relation to removal of all of the units from both sites.