1.         APOLOgies for absence 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr A M Millar, Mrs A L Magee, Mrs M E Paterson, Mr W J Smith and Rev A J MacDonald.

2.         SUCCESSES 

	Invergordon Leisure Centre had achieved Bronze Award Status from SHAW (Scotland’s Health at Work) and had now begun working towards the Silver Award.
	Elsie Blackshaw (S6 Girls’ Captain), Kingussie High School, had been selected for the National Youth Orchestra playing the viola in the coming summer’s tour of Europe.
	Michelle Chalmers, S3 Kingussie High School, had won the Pony Club Achievement of the Year Award presented by the British Horse Society and had been invited to be part of the British Junior Team.
	Greig Lobban, S1 Fortrose Academy, had been selected for Scotland in under 13 squash and would play in the Home Internationals in April.
	Two Education, Culture and Sport members of staff, Shelley Grant and Julie Fleeting, had been selected for the Scottish Women’s Football Team.
	Highland Energy Advice Centre recent competition winners were:-

	The ICAN nursery at the Obsdale Centre had recently received its Accreditation Certificate following a 3 day assessment with an overall score of 96%.  As a result of achieving such a high level of accreditation they had been asked to undertake research projects for national publication and act as an exemplar for other centres who had not yet received this level of attainment.
	Former Nairn Academy pupils, Andrew and Robert Craigie, had recently won the European Youth Olympics Curling event in Switzerland for 16-18 year olds.
	In a Health and Happiness competition open to all S1/S2 pupils to design a computer game for children aged 6 – 9 on the theme of anti-bullying and inclusion, 2 Travellers, one from Inverness and one from Lochaber had won 1st and 2nd prize.
	Carrbridge and Ardross Primary Schools had been accredited level 4 in their Health Promoting Schools inspection.  This brought the total number of Highland Schools with Health Promoting School Status to 76.

	£730 to allow pupils to publish a book recording their research with people who had contributed to the Home Front and to hold a village street party.
	£1340 for computer equipment to record sound-track/video and written memories of local veterans.  The DVD would then be used for research purposes by the Scottish Library and Information Council and local museums.  Cauldeen Primary School had also received funding for this.
	The pupils had also completed a project where they planned to erect a memorial in the village.  £12,200 had been awarded to the Museums’ Service  To create resources designed to promote intergenerational learning for P6/P7 pupils, veterans and people who had lived through WWII.    To enable three independent museums to stage exhibitions focussing on the impact of WWII locally (Mallaig, Museum of the Isles and Tarbat).    To develop an online collection of histories and memories through Am Baile.
	Milk for Schools had awarded a Gold Star to Norma Murray, Catering and Cleaning Manager, for a Radio Four programme detailing the revolution in school meals going on in Scotland based on the Scottish Parliament’s Hungry for Success Programme.
	Highland Libraries had received delivery of the first of four new mobile libraries that would soon be serving the communities of Nairn, Lochcarron, Invergordon and Caithness areas.
	Congratulations to all pupils and thanks to teachers for the very high standards at the recent Inverness Music Festival.
	Three Highland teachers had received their Scottish Qualification for Headship awards which had been presented by Education Minister, Peter Peacock.  Jean Godden, Inverness Royal Academy Fiona Grant, Thurso High Linda McIntosh, Kiltearn Primary
	The total raised to date from Big Heart Day Highland for the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal was £65,301.

It was NOTED that discussions were being held between the Education, Culture and Sport and Social Work Services about ways of improving nutrition for older people in lunch clubs etc, using staff from the school catering service and that a report would be submitted to the appropriate committee.

3.     REVENUE BUDGET  

(i)         Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Monitoring 

            There was circulated Report No ECS15/05 dated 7 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on Revenue Expenditure on the Education, Culture and Sport Service for the period 1 April, 2004 to 31 January, 2005.  The report showed a projected overspend at that time of £483,000.  The Director reported that from the figures available for the end of February it appeared that the overspend would be nearer to £353,000. 

            The Committee APPROVED:- 

            (a)        the ongoing policy of expenditure restraint; and 

(b)        the policy of counteracting demand led expenditure by deliberately under-spending other budget headings. 

(ii)        Revenue Budget 2005/06 

            There was circulated Report No ECS16/05 dated 7 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which outlined proposals for the Education, Culture and Sport 2005/06 Budget.  The Council on 3 February, 2005 had approved a budget target for the Service of £195.239m.  The report showed how this target was derived, showed the movement in the budget from 2004/05 and indicated that there was a gap of £2.485m between the budget target provided by the Council and the projected Education, Culture and Sport budget for 2005/06.  Proposals were put forward to close this gap which took into account the discussion at the meeting of the Committee on 20 January, 2005 when Members had indicated that front-line delivery must be protected, in particular devolved school budgets and Area-based Community Learning and Leisure budgets.  It was pointed out that the Budget Working Group had not yet reached a view on allocations from the Service Improvement Fund and details were given of the revised Education, Culture and Sport bids which would be considered at their next meeting on 25 March, 2005.  Any bids approved would be over and above the other budget proposals.  Any that were unsuccessful would not be implemented. 

            After hearing the Director who commented on the savings proposals but also referred to the significant additional funding allocated to schools through the National Priorities Action Fund and McCrone funding for non-teaching staff, the Committee APPROVED:- 

the proposals and measures required to balance the 2005/06 Education, Culture and Sport Revenue Budget; and 

the proposals outlined in Section 4 of the report instructing Area Service Managers to submit to their Area Committees savings proposals relating to their respective targets for Education and Community Learning and Leisure budgets. 

The Committee also NOTED the progress to date in relation to Service Improvement Fund bids. 

(iii)       Library Stock Tender 

            There was circulated Report No ECS17/05 dated 2 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which outlined the process undertaken for the issue and receipt of tenders for the supply of library materials.  It reported on the evaluation and identified the selected suppliers. 

            After some discussion, during which it was confirmed that the contracts allowed for an extension of the supply arrangements to the school library service, the Committee NOTED the award of contracts for the supply of library materials for the three year period from 1 April, 2005 to 31 March, 2008, with the option to renew for 12 months. 

(iv)       The Adventure Tri Event 

            There was circulated Report No ECS18/05 dated 9 February, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on an approach by EventScotland for a contribution towards the cost of holding The Adventure Tri around Loch Ness during 2005.  The report gave the background to the event and the costs involved.  EventScotland had required an ‘in principle’ indication of support to allow Nova International, a leading events management company, to secure television coverage and this had been given following consultation with the Chairman.  The contribution from the Council would be made up of £10,000 from Planning and Development, £10,000 from the Education, Culture and Sport grants budget, with the balance of £12,500 being contained within Community Learning and Leisure budgets.  The funding package was dependent on contributions being agreed by EventScotland and Inverness and Nairn Enterprise. 

            The Committee HOMOLOGATED the decision of the Director, in consultation with the Chairman, to earmark funding from existing Education, Culture and Sport budgets to help stage The Adventure Tri in and around Loch Ness during 2005.

4.        CAPITAL EXPENDITURE  

(i)        Capital Expenditure 2004/05 - Monitoring  

           There was circulated Report No ECS19/05 dated 8 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on capital expenditure on the Education, Culture and Sport Service for the period 1 April to 31 January 2005.  The report showed an anticipated under-spend at that time of £167,000. 

           The Committee NOTED the content of the report. 

(ii)       Capital Developments with regard to Early Education Provision  

           There was circulated Report No ECS20/05 dated 3 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which sought endorsement of, proposed priorities for capital developments with regard to early education provision.  The report referred to the rapid development of Early Years Services in recent years leading to 100% provision for 4 year olds, with provision for 3 year olds expected to increase to 98% in the current year.  It was now considered important to reflect on how need was catered for across the authority and, following discussion with the partner agencies, the Joint Committee on Children and Young People had commissioned a review to take account of those communities where there remained under-provision, or where there was duplication or overlap of provision.  The principles adopted for the review were detailed which had enabled development of criteria for sustainability and an equitable approach.  Area Children’s Services Forums had been mapping local provision against the criteria, which had allowed a review of the priorities for capital developments.  The most urgent priorities were detailed with proposed target dates.  In addition there was a need to ensure that other minor works took place to meet health and safety requirements and it was recommended that a budget of £50,000 be set against these.  £0.5m had been set aside for capital developments in Early Years and SEN in each of the next 3 years.  It was likely that Early Years would require the majority of this funding. 

           In discussion, it was suggested that the review of provision would require some difficult decisions; that Area Committees must be kept updated on the review; that until the Scottish Executive accepted that wraparound care was the way forward and allocated the necessary funding, it would be very difficult to make provision; and that there was a need to address the problem of transport, particularly for 3 year olds, and to consider best options for provision in light of declining rolls.   

           The Committee AGREED:- 

(i)         to approve the proposed priorities for capital developments with regard to Early Years provision, including the allocation of £50,000 against high risk requirements; 

(ii)        that the Scottish Executive be urged to provide funding to provide wraparound care as the way forward in meeting the needs of communities; and 

(ii)        that consideration be given to alternative ways of providing transport for pre-school children, in partnership with parents and other organisations; a study be carried out of a pilot area to establish the costs involved; and the Scottish Executive be approached on the issue of funding, pointing out that transport had a major influence on ‘inclusion’ in rural areas.

5.         HIGHLAND 2007 - COMMUNITY GRANTS FUNDING FORMULA 

There was circulated Report No ECS21/05 dated 9 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which referred to the decision of the Committee that officials should review options for how the Highland 2007 Community Grants budget might be devolved to Area Committees.  The report referred to discussion at the Portfolio Holders Group and, after further discussion between the Chairman and the Convener, recommended a base level of funding for each Area together with an amount for Highland wide projects in years 2 and 3 and the use of the formula used to allocate the Council’s Area Discretionary Budgets for the remainder of the funds.  

The Director spoke to the report adding the recommendation that the position be reviewed at the end of Year 1. 

Following discussion, during which it was suggested that the original proposal that the funding be allocated on the basis of the formula for Area Discretionary budgets was more straight forward and concern was expressed that some flexibility be retained to alter the funding formula in Years 2 and 3, Mrs I Campbell, seconded by Mr A J Dick, MOVED that:- 

(i)         the base level for each Area be set at £25,000; 

(ii)        the proposed £100,000 for inter-Area and Highland-wide projects should commence in the second year of three; 

(iii)       the remaining funds be allocated to Areas on the existing formula used by the Council for distributing Area Discretionary budgets.  This formula took into account geographical size, population and Council Tax yield; and 

(iv)       the funding formula be reviewed at the end of the first year.

Mr R W Durham, seconded by Mrs I McCallum, moved as an amendment that:-

(i)        the base level for each Area be set at £25,000;

(ii)        the remaining funds be allocated to Areas on the existing formula used by the Council for distributing Area Discretionary budgets.  This formula took into account geographical size, population and Council Tax yield; and

(iii)       a review be carried out at the end of Year 1 to consider in light of demand in the first year how the funds should be distributed in Years 2 and 3.

 On a vote being taken the outcome was as follows:-

 For the Motion 

For the Amendment

 The Motion was CARRIED by 20 votes to 6.

6.         MILLENNIUM COMMISSION COMMUNITY EVENTS FUND 2005/06

There was circulated Report No ECS22/05 dated 3 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which, following consideration by Area Committees and the Portfolio Holders Group, asked Members to recommend for approval the final awards from the Community Events Fund 2005/06.  The Fund of £80,000 had been agreed as part of a £500,000 lottery grant received by Highland 2007.  The Council was administering the Fund on behalf of Highland 2007 and Area Committees had considered applications on the basis of grant criteria and a process agreed by the Committee in September.  The Fund had been slightly oversubscribed and all requests for support had, therefore, been reduced to fit the funds available by some 6% across the board.  This approach had been endorsed by the Portfolio Holders Group. 

The Committee APPROVED the final awards from the Community Events Fund 2005/2006, as detailed in the Appendix to the report. 

7.         MEETING THE NEEDS OF LOW ATTAINING PUPILS 

There was circulated Report No ECS23/05 dated 2 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which detailed for Members the range of actions being progressed within the Education, Culture and Sport Service Plan 2005/08 to meet the needs of the lowest attaining pupils.  The report referred to the entitlement of all pupils within the Education Act 2000 to receive an education, which maximised their potential within the context of the National Priorities in Education. Delivery of the main improvement objectives relating to the performance of the lowest achieving 20% of pupils would centre on schools and Education, Culture and Sport Services and would involve partnership working with the public, private and voluntary services.  Details were given of the priorities which had been identified in the Service Plan within the context of Ambitious, Excellent Schools.  In the integrated Children’s Plan “For Highland’s Children 2” there were also a number of key outcomes which focussed on improved achievement, inclusion and participation for the lowest attaining pupils in Highland.   

Tony McCulloch, Quality Development Manager, spoke to the report, highlighting the main actions being taken through various initiatives and giving examples of good practice.  He stressed the need to work with other key services and agencies to meet the needs of this group of pupils. 

In discussion, Members welcomed the report but raised points in relation to monitoring the effect of the measures taken, tracking individual pupils’ progress, considering family backgrounds and giving support to parents.  They suggested that there was a need for schools to discuss with communities how they might become involved; and that the contribution made by teachers should be assessed and meeting the needs of these pupils be made a specific management task.  Reference was also made to the role of the Authority Reporter, schools and the Children’s Panel; the need for initiatives which were working well to be allowed to continue; and the importance of promoting confidence and developing skills through participation in sports, arts etc. 

The Committee NOTED the steps being taken by the Service, in collaboration with other services and agencies, to raise the expectations and achievements of the lowest attaining pupils in Highland and AGREED that:- 

(i)         a report be submitted to the Joint Committee on Children and Young People on the role of the Authority Reporter, the Children’s Panel and schools within the Children’s Hearing system; 

(ii)        discussions be held locally in Caithness regarding a Determined to Succeed post which was about to come to an end; and

8.         SCHOOLS OF AMBITION  

There was circulated Report No ECS24/05 dated 3 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport indicating that the Scottish Executive had invited bids from authorities for Tranche 1 of the Schools of Ambition Programme by 18 March, 2005.  The Council had been working for some time with Inverness High School and its REAL (Real Education Active Lives) initiative, much of which fitted with the Scottish Executive criteria for the Schools of Ambition Programme.  The report detailed the key aspects of the programme and the REAL initiative.  If successful, an additional £100,000 would be available to Inverness High School each year for three years.  It was suggested, however, that schools across Highland would benefit from a successful bid.   

After some discussion, the Committee AGREED that:- 

(i)         the Director of Education, Culture and Sport submit a bid for Inverness High School as a School of Ambition; 

(ii)        Members be kept appraised of progress of the bid; and 

(iii)       future bids be prepared as the programme developed with proposals being brought to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee.

9.         IMPROVING PARENTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOLS 

There was circulated Report No ECS25/05 dated 3 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on a draft Bill introduced by the Scottish Executive for consultation on 1 March, 2005 on improving parents’ involvement in schools.  The deadline for submissions was 7 June, 2005.  The report set out the main proposals in the draft Bill and proposed short and long-term strategies for the Council, both to ensure that the Council responded to the consultation and to begin to prepare for the impact of changes. 

Following discussion, during which various members expressed concern regarding the proposals in the draft Bill, which they felt would take away powers from parents, and suggested that the current system of school boards worked well, as did the involvement of parent members of school boards in appointments, the Committee AGREED that:- 

(i)         the Council host a Scottish Executive Roadshow on the proposals; 

(ii)        the Council arrange, on an Area basis, consultation meetings to help influence their response to the draft Bill, with a report to the May meeting of the Committee; and 

(iii)       the Area Forums in the autumn be used as a means to begin to discuss with parents the nature of involvement they wished with schools and the Council.

10.         OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE OF DULCHREICHARD PRIMARY SCHOOL

There was circulated Report No ECS26/05 dated 8 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the outcome of the statutory consultation undertaken in connection with a proposal to close Dulchreichard Primary School.   The report had appended to it a copy of the consultation paper, a Minute of a meeting with parents held on 23 November, 2004 and all written submissions received.  It gave the background to the proposal, outlined the consultation process and summarised the views expressed. 

In discussion, the Local Member, Mrs M C Davidson, accepted that there was not currently a sufficient number of children in the area to sustain the school but referred to various developments which were taking place for which the community might require the use of the building.  She asked that a decision be made in principle to close the school but that the closure be deferred for a period of a year. 

The Committee AGREED to:- 

(i)        close Dulchreichard Primary School with effect from March 2006; and

11.       OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE OF SOAY PRIMARY SCHOOL 

There was circulated Report No ECS27/05 dated 8 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the outcome of the statutory consultation undertaken in connection with a proposal to close Soay Primary School.  The report had appended to it a copy of the consultation paper, a Minute of a meeting of community members held on 13 December, 2004 and all written submissions received.  It was indicated that the overwhelming view of those consulted had been that the school, schoolhouse and site should be declared surplus to educational requirements and transferred to a community trust comprising of the householders of Soay and retained for community use. 

After some discussion concerning the future use of the building and the title position, the Committee AGREED to:- 

(i)         close Soay Primary School; and 

(ii)        declare Soay Primary School and Schoolhouse surplus to educational requirements.

12.       REVIEW OF DELINEATED AREAS - FARR/ STRATHERRICK PRIMARY SCHOOLS

There was circulated Report No ECS28/05 dated 8 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided background on the current arrangements for Education provision for pupils living in the Croachy area and make proposals for future provision. It was reported that he pattern of population had changed since the parents of pupils from the area previously served by Brin Primary School had opted to attend Stratherrick Primary School and members of the community had now requested that Croachy be rezoned to be included in the delineated area of Farr Primary School.  This was supported by the Local Member, Mrs K G Matheson. 

The Committee AGREED that a statutory consultation be carried out, and that a draft paper on the inclusion of Croachy within the delineated area of Farr Primary School be prepared, taking into account the new ward boundaries, for consideration by the City of Inverness and Area Committee.

13.       ACTIVE REFERRAL DEVELOPMENT 

There was circulated Report No ECS29/05 dated 3 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which advised Members that a joint submission from Highland Council and NHS Highland had attracted £108,000 per year for two years from the Scottish Executive to develop ‘Active Referrals’ in Leisure Facilities.  The funding was conditional on efforts to make the scheme self-sustaining by ring fencing the additional High Life membership fees generated.  Details were given of how the scheme would work, the proposed use of the funding and the administration arrangements. 

In discussion, it was suggested that there was a need to make local health practitioners aware of the scheme, that the progress of the scheme should be reviewed after the first year and that officials should look into the suggestion that, where the person referred would normally be eligible for free medical prescriptions, they should not be charged for the service. 

The Committee AGREED:- 

(i)         to participate in the grant aid scheme being offered by the Scottish Executive through the NHS to develop Active Referrals throughout Highland (£108,000 per annum for 2 years); 

(ii)        to endorse the principle that income generated by Active Referrals be ring-fenced to enable the scheme to become self sustaining after two years; 

(iii)       subject to Resources Committee and Vacancy Monitoring approval, the Council employ Active Referral Co-ordinators utilising the grant aid available, initially on temporary two year contracts; 

(iv)       that a review be undertaken after two years and, if the scheme was not successful in covering its full costs within the period when additional external funding was available, it be continued only at a level sustainable by the additional income;  

(v)        the Mr N M Clark be included in the steering group set up to administer the scheme; and 

14.       ADULT LITERACIES 

There was circulated Report No ECS30/05 dated 7 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which referred to the report “Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland” published in 2001 which had identified that 23% of adults in Scotland had low literacy and numeracy skills, while a further 30% might find their skills inadequate to cope with everyday demands.  The Scottish Executive had provided additional funds to support and attract learners in this area, managed through local partnerships of public and voluntary sector agencies.  The Director summarised the recent significant progress made through the Highland Adult Literacies Partnership, one of the key providers being the Council’s Adult Basic Education Service.  He referred to the recent Partners in Practice conference, the report of which was also circulated, to a National Libraries and Literacy Project, in which Highland had been invited to be a lead partner, and to the recent Celebration of Learning event hosted by Councillor A Millar.  The Executive had committed increased funding until 2008.  Funding after that date was under discussion. 

In discussion, it was suggested that, while progress was being made, the resources available were still not sufficient and the Council should press the Scottish Executive to increase the funding for Adult Basic Education.  Members also sought information on links with schools and whether 16 year olds who had problems were being identified and helped.  Given the number of professionals who were being recruited from abroad there was also a case for seeking funding from other organisations towards the cost of English as a second or other language (ESOL) courses.  It was also suggested that people who had not had the benefit of current aids to learning who might still have problems should be encouraged to use computers and other aids and that more consideration should be given to the reasons why some young people were not literate when they left school. 

The Committee NOTED the Partners in Practice conference report; the success of the Celebration of Learning event; and the significant increase in the uptake of adult literacy support in Highland; and AGREED:- 

(i)         to commend the work undertaken by ABE co-ordinators and tutors; 

(ii)        to approve Highland’s participation in the direction and delivery of the Literacies and Libraries project; 

(iii)       to press the Scottish Executive to provide additional funding for Adult Basic Education; and 

(iv)       to seek contributions from other agencies who recruited professionals from abroad towards the cost of English as a second or other language (ESOL) courses.

15.       HIGHLAND FOREST AND WOODLAND STRATEGY

 There was circulated Report No ECS31/05 dated 3 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which recommended to Members a response to the Highland Forest Strategy consultative draft, issued by the Planning and Development Service.  The key themes commented on in the report were the measures to increase community benefits from forests and the enhancement of the region’s attractiveness for tourism and recreation.  The report identified benefits to communities and gave specific examples of activities that could be developed in partnership with communities.

 In discussion it was suggested that the response did not take sufficient account of the significant number of initiatives being driven by communities and that the report should refer to community “involvement” rather that “benefit”.  There were also likely to be resource implications in the longer term in using forests to provide alternative education as a vehicle for inclusion.  It was suggested that discussions should be held between Education, Culture and Sport, Social Work and the Health Service about services which might be offered outreach in forests and woodlands.

 The Committee AGREED to:- 

(i)         welcome the Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy, in particular the measures to increase community involvement and increase access to forests and woodland; and 

16.       STRATHPEFFER SPA PAVILION 

As agreed by the Council as part of an overall support package to the Strathpeffer Pavilion Company Limited, a community company made up of local representatives and with charitable status, the Committee was invited to nominate two Directors  to serve as Directors on the Board of Strathpeffer SPA Co Ltd. 

17.       INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING DEVELOPMENTS 

There was circulated Report No ECS32/05 dated 2 March, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which referred to the partnership developed with Aberdeen University in 2003 to establish Primary Initial Teacher Training in the Highlands.  This was a two year, part-time distance learning course for English and Gaelic medium students.  The course had proved very successful and it was proposed to establish a second course commencing in August, 2005.  Following discussion with Aberdeen University plans were also well advanced for a new Secondary PGDE part-time distance learning course, initially involving English, Mathematics, Technology, Home Economics and Gaelic.   

After some discussion, during which it was confirmed that it was hoped that courses would be offered through UHI once it had achieved university status and that any applicant with the linguistic skills could qualify to teach specialist subjects through the medium of Gaelic, the Committee AGREED:- 

(i)         to the continuation of the Primary PGCE course from August, 2005; and

There were circulated and APPROVED Minutes of Annual General and Ordinary Meeting of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff held on 8 February, 2005.