The Committee NOTED the following and AGREED that congratulations be conveyed to those concerned

There was circulated Report No. ECS18/01 by the Director of Education on a suggested structure of Sub-Committees and Working Groups to make recommendations to the Committee on various areas of educational policy and to take decisions on Appeals etc. where formally delegated.

The Committee AGREED that the following sub-committees etc be formed, the Area representatives to be nominated by the Area Committees:-

As agreed by Council on 10 May 2001

To be joined for matters related to the Revenue and Capital Budget by the Chairman of the Resources Committee and the Chairman of the Budget Working Group.

Chairman
Vice-Chairman
1 Member from each Area

- to deal with Education Transport Appeals

Chairman
Vice-Chairman
1 Member from each Area
Substitutes to come from remaining Portfolio Holders Group
Plus 10 Teacher Representatives

- To act as the main forum for consideration of all professional and conditions of service matters relating to the delivery of the Education Service in the Highland Council area

- To receive and consider recommendations emanating from other professional issues working parties, consultation structures and advisory groups set up by the Director of Education

Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Depute Chairman of Resources Committee (Personnel)
one Member from each Area
Panel of 5 chosen for each appeal from above

- To deal with all appeals from staff in terms of the Council’s grievance and disciplinary procedures

- Convener
- Chairman of Education, Culture & Sport Committee
- Chairman of Resources Committee
- Depute Chairman Resources Committee (Property)
- Four local Members

- Depute Chairman (Gaelic)
- Chairman of Education, Culture and Sport Committee
- Councillors Ross, M Paterson, Smith, Foxley, Slimon, Oag, Millar, L MacDonald and Balfour

There was circulated Report No. ECS19/01 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services which reviewed the Service's involvement in the provision of partnership posts for the delivery of sport. The report gave details of ways in which the Service currently contributed to the aims of the Highland Sports Strategy through school sport, School sports Co-ordinators, Sports Council Grants, Sports Development Officers, Gael Force Ten, Sports Specific Officers and the Highland Institute of Sport. The Director reviewed the partnership arrangements for the current partnership posts and put forward a model for consideration of future requests for Sports Specific Development Officers.

The Committee NOTED the work currently being undertaken by partnership funded sports posts in the Highlands, and how their work fitted into sports development generally through the Highland Sports Strategy, and AGREED the following action recommended for each existing post:-

1. Kilchoan Primary School – Playingfield

On the recommendation of Lochaber Area Committee, the Committee AGREED that the Kilchoan Playingfield Development Group be granted a lease of an area of land amounting to 0.777 acres adjacent to Kilchoan Primary School for the development of a playing field, at a nominal rent for a period of 30 years, with an option for renewal, the precise boundaries to be agreed before the lease was granted; and

2. Struan Primary School

On the recommendation of Skye and Lochalsh Area Committee, the Committee AGREED that land adjacent to Struan Primary School be leased to the Struan Playingfield Partnership, a sub-group of Struan Community Council and Struan Primary School Board, at a peppercorn rent for the purpose of constructing an all weather multi-sport facility.

The length and other details of the leases to be finalised by the Directors of Education and Property and Architectural Services.

There was circulated Report No. ECS20/01 by the Director of Education referring to the requirement to develop a Service Plan for Education which met the statutory framework of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc (Scotland) Act as well as the Council’s own local priorities. The draft Service Plan which proposed improvement objectives over the next three years was also circulated. The Director referred to the key influences on the Plan, both internal and external to the Council, and stressed that the Plan should be seen as a working document for the Service. Each of the 6 improvement objectives was broken down and there would be a series of detailed operational plans which would be used by officials for management purposes. Area Education Plans would be presented to Area Committees in August and the Committee would be advised of progress on the Plan at 6 monthly intervals. An information leaflet for parents, pupils and teachers would accompany the plan. The most important use of the Plan would be made at establishment level and head teachers would submit their school development plans by 30 June to Area Education Managers.

In a full discussion, Members welcomed the Plan, which provided a good framework for the Service but referred also to areas which would require further consideration in the next few years, areas where further funding or resources were required and the need to ensure that schools had the necessary resources to implement the proposals. Reference was also made to the link between healthy living and drugs initiatives and the need to target resources at drugs education and training rather than just rehabilitation and involve the Highland Youth Voice. Problems arising from the current shortage of Gaelic medium teachers were also stressed.

The Committee AGREED:-

1. that a problem regarding the re-wiring of Tain Royal Academy be investigated;
2. points raised regarding the link between operational plans and the Service Plan, future progress, school absences, promoting inclusive education and providing support for staff be discussed through the Portfolio Holders Group;
3. representations be made to the Scottish Executive for ring-fenced funding to be allocated towards drugs education and the training of teachers; and
4. representations continue to be made concerning the supply of Gaelic medium teachers.

There was circulated Report No. ECS21/01 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services which introduced the revised Service Plan for Cultural and Leisure Services for the period 2001-04. The draft Plan, copies of which were also circulated, outlined the internal and external influences on the planning process and set service wide objectives structured around the Highland Community Plan themes. The improvement priorities were set in three key areas, standards for the management of the Service, cross-service priorities and Service specific priorities. The Plan was set in the context of the three-year budget process.

In discussion, it was suggested that the Council should set targets of a minimum of 20 beaches receiving EC accreditation each year, 20 graded walks being introduced and 20 towns and villages being inspected for litter, although it was agreed that these matters should more appropriately be pursued through other committees of the Council.

There was circulated Report No ECS22/01 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services which presented the published Arts Strategy document, copies of which were tabled, and considered the early objectives arising from the Strategy which in turn would form the arts objectives in the Cultural and Leisure Services Operational Plan for 2001/02. The report gave details of consultations which had been carried out, amendments made to the Strategy and progress made on the early objectives. In relation to Objective 2, the strategy identified Caithness and Sutherland as in the greatest need in terms of support to the voluntary sector and, following consultation, proposals were put forward for a 3 year package which would enable the appointment of an Arts Officer for Caithness and an additional half post for Sutherland. The full year cost was £45,000 which would attract £90,000 external funding over the three years. The funding partners had indicated that they were willing to front load the costs of this development so that the Council’s first contribution of £15,000 would be required in 2002/03 rising each year to reach the full and ongoing costs of £45,000 in 2005/06.

After some discussion, during which Members welcomed the strategy, received clarification on certain points and commented on the position with regard to Arts Associations and Music Festivals in certain areas, the Committee:-

1. NOTED the published version of the Art Strategy, the intention to work with the Education Service to produce an Arts and Education Strategy and the other 10 early objectives arising from the Strategy; and
2. AGREED the suggested approach towards securing the arts development posts for Caithness and Sutherland as detailed in Section 4.

It was further AGREED that a report be submitted to a future meeting on music festivals in the Highlands.

There was circulated Report No ECS23/01 by the Director of Education which set out the interim guidance agreed by the Joint Consultation Group (Teaching Staff) on Tuesday 1 May 2001 on agreeing a programme of collective activity, with minor amendments agreed afterwards between management and unions. The Director pointed out that the McCrone Agreement required the introduction of a 35-hour working week for teachers from August 2001. This was made up of 3 elements, class contact time, personal time for individual activity such as preparation and correction and a programme of collective activity such as staff meetings, parents' meetings etc. The programme of collective activity required to be agreed at school level. In order to guide staff and in view of the limited time available to reach agreement on a programme in time for the beginning of the next session, the advice agreed by the Joint Consultation Group had now been issued to schools

Members were also referred to the Minutes of the Meeting of the Joint Consultation Group held on 1 May, 2001 considered under item 23 of these Minutes.

There was circulated Report No ECS24/01 by the Director of Education which described current trends and factors regarding behaviour in schools. The Director pointed out that indiscipline in schools was a barrier to learning and the development of a sound ethos and the promotion of positive behaviour were crucial to effective learning in schools. He referred to the factors which affected behaviour, the increase in the number of pupils who exhibited disruptive behaviour in recent years, the effects of this on the learning process, and the role played by staff, pupils and parents in developing policies and procedures for managing behaviour. He indicated that the Education Minister had established a ministerial task group on discipline in schools to consider the issues and pressures facing schools and to make recommendations to address this matter and detailed steps being taken to develop a strategy for the management of behaviour in Highland schools. Further details of the membership and remit of the task group were given at the meeting.

In discussion, reference was made to the need for consultation with teaching staff, to the requirement to review policies and procedures regularly to ensure that they were working, to pressures on accommodation in schools in pursuing alternatives to exclusion, to the role of the psychological services and the need to support Headteachers who in the end had to resort to exclusion.

The points raised were NOTED for discussion through the Portfolio Holders Group.

The Committee AGREED the following proposals to develop a co-ordinated strategy for the management of behaviour in nurseries, partner centres and schools:-

There was circulated Joint Report No ECS25/01 by the Directors of Cultural and Leisure Services and Education which reviewed the approach taken by the two services in promoting child protection within voluntary organisations and proposed a programme of action to ensure a common approach. Reference was made to the approved Council-wide policy to ensure appropriate vetting procedures were in place for organisations which received financial or other assistance from the Council or used Council facilities to undertake activities with children. The Cultural and Leisure Services Committee had subsequently agreed the adoption of the Highland Child Protection Committee’s (HCPC) "Child Protection Policy for Sport and Leisure Groups" and taken steps to implement this policy. It was now proposed that, to ensure consistency between the Education and Cultural and Leisure Services, the HCPC policy be formally adopted for use with all voluntary groups who came into contact with the Community Education Service.

After discussion, during which reference was made to the steps being taken to publicise the policy, the advice given to organisations booking halls and the proforma which had been issued to all village halls for bookings, the Committee AGREED to:

1. note the approach and joint working between the two Services to date on child protection issues;
2. endorse the Highland Child Protection Committee's "Child Protection Policy for Sport and Leisure Groups" for use with all education voluntary organisations;
3. recommend to the Council that the HCPC policy be adopted for use by all voluntary organisations with links to other Council services;
4. agree the action plan detailed in paragraph 1.2 of the report which by the end of December 2001 would ensure consistency of approach between the two services; and
5. agree that voluntary organisations with existing child protection policies be exempt from adopting the HCPC policy provided these policies covered up to or beyond the provisions laid out in paragraph 2.2 of the report.

There was circulated Report No ECS26/01 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services which proposed changes to the current loan periods and request charges for books and other materials across the Highland Libraries Network.

The Committee APPROVED:-

1. the reduction of the book and spoken word loan period at built libraries from 28 days to 21 days per item (mobile libraries to remain at 28 days);
2. the reduction of the audio visual loan period at built libraries from 28 days to 14 days per item (mobile libraries to remain at 28 days); and

3. the removal of the request charge; and

4. that the changes be effective from 1 July 2001.

There was circulated Report No ECS27/01 by the Director of Education which outlined proposals for the future development of school hostels to meet the expectations of pupils, parents, staff and the Education Service. The Council had at present 3 school hostels in Portree, Plockton and Fort William, which catered for 108 young people. Several other pupils were in privately provided accommodation and in the near future hostel accommodation might be provided at Mallaig and Strontian. Details were given of the current management organisation, staffing and standards of accommodation and recreation, features highlighted in an HMI report on Camaghael Hostel, Fort William and issues arising from the recent publication of Care and Welfare Performance Indicators. Wide ranging consultation had taken place regarding proposals for the management and development of hostels which had shown significant support for the draft proposals put forward. Fifteen detailed proposals were listed.

The Committee AGREED the proposals outlined in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.15 of the report.

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 item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 8 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

There was circulated to Members only Report No ECS35/01 by the Director of Corporate Services on the terms proposed by the landowner for the acquisition of additional land at Drumnadrochit for a shinty pitch to serve the proposed new secondary school and the terms proposed for the discharge of a Standard Security. The report gave the background to the current proposals, details of negotiations leading to them and an assessment of the Council’s position.

There was circulated Report No ECS28/01 by the Director of Education on the outcome of the statutory consultation carried out on proposals to rationalise special educational needs provision in the Fort William and Kinlochleven areas and to rationalise nursery education for 4 year olds in the Fort William area. The report gave details of the consultation process and had appended to it:-

1. Summary of the outcome of the consultation process;
2. Record of consultation meetings held on 29 January 2001 (Caol Primary School), 29 January 2001 (Fort William RC Primary School) and 6 February 2001 (Kinlochleven High School); and
3. Twelve written submissions received, together with a sample of a further written submission which had been received in identical form from 22 people.

The proposal to rationalise special educational needs provision in the Fort William and Kinlochleven areas had been generally supported at the meetings with parents and in the written submissions. In one or two instances where clarification had been sought by individuals, this had been given. Likewise with one exception the proposals with regard to nursery education for 4 year olds in the Fort William area had received support at the meetings and in the written submissions, there being particular support for proposals for nursery provision at Inverlochy Primary School.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that:-

1. Special educational needs provision be rationalised in the Fort William and Kinlochleven areas so that new accommodation would be provided at Kinlochleven School and Caol Primary School to replace the sub-standard facilities at Banavie, Caol and Lochyside Primary School; and
2. Nursery education for 4 year-olds in the Fort William area be rationalised so that nursery education was provided in each of the primary schools with Caol Nursery School closing when the new nursery classes were in place.

Points raised by Dr M E M Foxley with regard to the need for the proposals to be seen as a package in relation to the allocation of capital receipts, were NOTED.

There was circulated Report No ECS29/01 by the Director of Education on a proposed review of educational provision in Assynt Primary School which was to be considered by the Sutherland County Committee on 14 May 2001. The Area Education Manager reported that the roll of the school had dropped to one six-year-old pupil who travelled daily from Inchnadamph. This meant there was minimal interaction with other children for the pupil and he would greatly benefit both in educational and social terms from being educated within a broader setting. The parents had been consulted and were supportive of this view. The Community Council had discussed the situation with the local member and it was the Council's intention to work with the Community Council in a regeneration programme to attract new families to the area.

There was circulated Report No. ECS30/01 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services which informed members of the results of a consultation on the draft village hall strategy presented to the Cultural and Leisure Services Committee on 17 May 2000; put forward proposed changes to the scheme of revenue grants; and informed Members of the current position regarding village hall capital developments. The Director referred to the essential role of the village hall and the unique contribution it could make in an area like the Highlands. He indicated that in general the draft strategy had been welcomed. He also referred to the different schemes of revenue support for village halls inherited by Highland Council, gave details of the current scheme, and suggested that to continue the process of harmonisation, to take account of some of the concerns expressed during the consultation process and to streamline the system, proposed changes which could be achieved within the existing budget be adopted as follows:-

Final awards would be made on the basis of whichever of these schemes was more beneficial to the individual hall.

The report also referred to village hall developments which had received national lottery funding, giving details of funding packages agreed.

The Committee AGREED to:

1. adopt the Village Hall Strategy;
2. approve the proposed changes to the Village Hall Revenue Grants Scheme and devolve responsibility for the management of village hall grants to Area Committees; and
3. endorse the action taken regarding Village Hall Capital Developments.

There was circulated Report No ECS31/01 by the Director of Education on the proposed involvement of Highland Council in an initiative by Sportscotland to introduce a number of pilot posts of Active Primary Schools Co-ordinators. The report gave details of the aims of the national initiative and the concept of the Active Primary School. A named dedicated Active Primary School Co-ordinator would be appointed to develop the programme in a cluster group of schools over a three-year period. Close links to the associated secondary school would be necessary and in Highland it would also be a requirement to work closely with colleagues in Cultural and Leisure Services. Sportscotland would fund the post fully for three years at an annual grant level of £28,000. There would be a requirement for the Council to provide a base, telephone and access to ICT facilities.

The Committee AGREED:-

1. to participate in the Active Primary Schools initiative;
2. to seek expressions of interest in the project from cluster groups of schools; and
3. that a further report be submitted by the Director of Education on the outcome of the bidding process with Sportscotland and the Council’s schools.

There was circulated Report No ECS32/01 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services which updated members on progress in setting up the Highland Institute of Sport and on the induction of the first local top performers. The Highland Institute of Sport had been developed by the Scottish Institute of Sport as one of six Area Institutes. It was a partnership of local and national agencies who had a strategic responsibility for sport. Details were given of the organisations involved, the services provided and the role of the Institute in enhancing services and programmes for selected developing athletes who were living, working, studying or training in the Highland area. Details were also given of the categories of athletes supported by the Institute, the selection criteria, support services, management arrangements and funding received from the Lottery, which was expected to be matched by in kind and other support by the local partners. An appendix showed the initial distribution of performers and their sports.

The Manager of the Institute, Mr G Turner, was present and gave a resume of the work of the Institute.

In discussion reference was made to the need to provide encouragement for performers of all abilities, but also to the need to support elite athletes to counteract the geographical disadvantages of living in the Highlands and Islands, and to the other initiatives supported by Cultural and Leisure Services.

There was circulated Report No ECS33/01 by the Director of Cultural and Leisure Services on a proposal to bid for the title of European Capital of Culture 2008 which had first been considered by the Cultural and Leisure Services Committee in September, 2000. Details were given of the background to the proposed bid, the partner agencies involved and emerging themes. The Director set out the suggested benefits and likely costs of preparing a bid. All of the partner agencies had agreed to provide in kind support in the preparation of the bid and details were given of contributions already agreed. It was proposed that the bid should be a Highland bid fronted by Inverness. As early indications showed that to date no other Scottish council had expressed an interest in bidding for the title it was suggested that the full backing of national agencies such as Sportscotland, the Scottish Arts Council etc as well as the Scottish Executive should be sought. Details were given of the nature of the bid, the proposal to nominate a number of UK cities for a "Centre of Culture" award and of the proposed launch of the Highland bid on 25/26 September, 2001.

In a full discussion, various members spoke in support of the proposed bid, suggesting that it could bring significant benefits to the Highland area, while others expressed some reservations regarding the costs involved, suggesting that the Committee should be realistic and honest in calculating the costs.

The Committee AGREED:-

1. to support the preparation of a bid for the European Capital of Culture 2008;
2. that a multi-agency partnership approach be further developed and formalised;
3. the emerging themes of the bid relate strongly to the themes of the Highland Community Plan and have a strong youth voice and reflect Gaelic culture as well as a variety of other cultural interests;
4. full backing be sought from national agencies and the Scottish Executive for the Highland bid;
5. the overall implications be reported back to the Council and partner agencies when the final version of the bid had been worked up; and
6. presentations on the bid be made to all Area Committees.

There was circulated Report No ECS34/01 by the Director of Education on the new Leader Plus initiative, a European Programme which provided funding for community led development. Details were given of the agencies involved in meetings to consider a potential bid and of the eligibility and selection criteria. It was proposed that a bid be made on behalf of Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, Rural Inverness and Nairn and as the total population of these areas exceeded the 100,000 limit, clarification was being sought as to whether such a bid was acceptable. The Leader Plus programmes for other parts of rural Highland were linked to the Western Isles and Argyll and bids for these were currently being investigated. The proposed bid would be based on the theme of improving the quality of life for young people in Rural Highland which would link well to the Highland Youth Strategy. The Director detailed some of the objectives of the proposals and referred to arrangements for programme preparation and submission. It was anticipated that a bid would be made for £250,000 per annum for five years. The three Local Enterprise Companies had intimated a possible contribution of £100,000 per annum matched funding. The shortfall of £150,000 per year would have to be met by the Wellbeing Alliance and associated partners although it was recognised that the majority of the shortfall would have to be met from within the Council. The first bid had to be submitted by the beginning of July, 2001.

The Committee NOTED and where necessary APPROVED the following Minutes, copies of which had been circulated:-

1. Minutes of Meeting of the Cultural and Leisure Services Area Chairmen’s Group held on 27th February, 2001;
2. Minutes of Meeting of the Joint Consultation Group (Teaching Staff) held on 1st May, 2001; and
3. Minutes of Meeting of the Gaelic Working Group held on 26 April, 2001.

Arising from the Minutes of the Meeting of the Gaelic Working Group the Committee NOTED comments made by Dr M E M Foxley with regard to the need for the Scottish Executive to clarify the position with regard to Gaelic road signs now that the Trunk Road contract had been awarded to BEAR Scotland.