Mr R Saxon

Mr T Jackson

Ms K MacNab

Mr W Mowat

Mr F R M Keith

Mrs A L Magee

Mr D Allan

Mrs M E Paterson

Ms A MacLean

Mrs I McCallum

Mrs I M Campbell

Mr R Balfour

Mr W J Smith

Mr A Milne

Mr A J Dick

Mr J Gray

Mr J N Matheson

Mr L Fraser

Mrs S Slimon

Mr T MacLennan

Dr M E M Foxley

Mr N M Clark

Rev A Glass

Mr A I MacDonald

Mr D Mackay

Mr G M Smith

Mr W Fernie

Mr W J Ross

Mr A Rhind

Mr J Connell

Mr D W Briggs

Mr W Fulton

Mr J MacDonald

Mrs G McCreath

Mr F D S Black

Officials in attendance:

Mr B Robertson, Director of Education, Culture and Sport

Mr H Fraser, Head of Support Services, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr I Murray, Head of Community Learning and Leisure, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr W Alexander, Head of Service (Children, Young People and Families)

Mr R MacKenzie, Education, Culture and Sport Finance Manager

Mr G Watson, Culture and Sport Manager, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr B Hemming, Resources Manager, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr R Campbell, Project Manager, Property and Architectural Services

Mr J Allison Principal Administrator, Corporate Services

BUSINESS

APOLOgies for absence

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr A Anderson, Mr A M Millar, Mrs J Urquhart, Mr R W Durham, Mr D Chisholm, Mr H Fraser, Mr P Corbett, Mrs M MacLennan, Mr G Rimell and Mr J McDonald.

2.       

SUCCESSES

3.       

 REVENUE BUDGET 

There were circulated the following reports on Revenue Expenditure:- 

(a)        Education, Culture and Sport Revenue Expenditure 2003/04 - Monitoring 

           Report No ECS16/04 dated 4 March, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on revenue expenditure on the Education, Culture and Sport Service for the period 1 April, 2003 to 31 January, 2004.  The report showed a projected overspend at the year end of £898,000. 

            Speaking to his report, the Director advised that the downward trend in expenditure was continuing and the projected overspend had reduced to £754,000 at the end of February. 

            In reply to a question, the Director outlined the Council’s policy on the closing of schools in adverse weather conditions and gave details of the contractual position in relation to school transport in the event of school closures.  With reference to concerns expressed about the effect on schools of the policy of holding posts vacant, in particular the non-replacement of visiting teachers in primary schools, he referred to opportunities which would arise in August for schools to enhance their provision of visiting teachers, should they so wish, as a consequence of the McCrone Agreement. 

            The Committee NOTED the position and APPROVED the actions as outlined in the report. 

(b)        Revenue Budget 2004/05 

           Report No ECS17/04 dated 3 March, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which gave details of the 2004/05 Education, Culture and Sport Revenue Budget settlement and set out a strategy for the composition and management of the budget.  The report outlined current budget pressures and other factors which would impact on the 2004/05 revenue budget, set out the level of funding required for the financial year in relation to the budget target agreed by the Budget Working Group, and put forward proposals in order to reconcile the level of funding required and the budget target and to ensure the budget management process was robust.  He pointed out that the budget had increased by 6.4% year on year. 

            The Director made a presentation on the budget strategy highlighting the main elements and giving further information on the budget pressures and other known commitments and the proposals for achieving the efficiencies target.  In reply to questions he advised that the funding received through the National Priorities Action Fund included the sum of £2m for vocational training and outlined various current developments in the provision of work experience or vocational training for young people.  He also gave further information on the position in relation to the funding of teachers superannuation. 

            The Committee, having expressed their appreciation of the work carried out by staff in preparing the budget for 2004/05, APPROVED the budget strategy and AGREED the emphasis on strict management of the budget throughout the forthcoming financial year. 

(c)        Education Maintenance Allowances 

            Report No ECS18/04 dated 2 March, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the implementation of Education Maintenance Allowances in Highland on a phased basis from August, 2004.  The report outlined the provisions of the scheme and the proposed administrative arrangements.  It also proposed that the availability of Education Maintenance Allowances be communicated as widely as possible to ensure maximum take-up by all those eligible.  The costs of the scheme would be fully reimbursed by the Scottish Executive. 

            The Committee APPROVED the following: 

(i)                  the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme as defined in the national guidance and as detailed in Section 2 of the report; 

(ii)                the administrative and system arrangements as detailed in Section 3 of the report;  

(iii)               the marketing campaign as detailed in Section 4 of the report; and 

(iv)              that there be a review of the scheme after one year of operation. 

(d)        A Best Value Approach to Trading Accounts 

            Report No ECS19/04 dated 2 March, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which highlighted the changes to the legislative environment and accounting treatment of Significant Trading Operations from 2003/04 onwards, following the repeal of the Compulsory Competitive Tendering legislation, and recommended an appropriate way forward to ensure compliance with the new legislation.  The report outlined the requirements of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, gave definitions for the terms used and proposed that Building Cleaning and Schools and Welfare Catering be deemed to be “significant” for the Education, Culture and Sport Service. 

            The Committee AGREED that:- 

(i)       an assessment be carried out, in accordance with paragraph 3.2 of the report, to determine whether activities undertaken by the Education, Culture and Sport Service must be classified as “Trading Operations”; 

(ii)       for each activity classified as a “Trading Operation” a test, in accordance with paragraph 4.2, be undertaken to establish whether the “Trading Operation” was significant and thereby required the maintenance of Statutory Trading Accounts; 

(iii)      within the Council’s statutory performance report/s the information detailed at paragraph 5.2 be provided in respect of “Trading Operations”; 

(iv)       surpluses/deficits generated by “Trading Operations” be returned to the Client Service in the financial year; and 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE - MONITORING

CHARGING FOR EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORT FACILITIES 

There was circulated Report No ECS21/04 dated 2 March, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which proposed charges to be levied for community use of the variety of facilities operated by the Education, Culture and Sport Service and the principles under which these were set.   

In discussion, the Director confirmed that the proposed charges were maximum charges which could be varied downwards to reflect local priorities.  He also confirmed that Area Service Managers could be asked to investigate the employment of part time staff to open and close schools to relieve head teachers of this duty and that a working group was looking at janitorial provision generally.  He further undertook to look into charges made for lets of accommodation at Newtonmore Primary School  and to report back to Councillor Mrs S Slimon. 

 The Committee AGREED:- 

(i)         the maximum charges set out in Appendix 1 of the report for community use of Council and grant-aided facilities, subject to it being at the discretion of Area Committees to vary the charges downwards to reflect local circumstances and issues, or Managers  to vary the charges for short term promotions; 

(ii)        free use of schools by youth groups and other groups detailed in Appendix 1 be at the discretion of Area Committees who might choose to reflect the costs involved of janitors being employed to open buildings, or the economic viability of an organisation or event; and 

2007 YEAR OF SCOTLAND CELEBRATING HIGHLAND CULTURE

There was circulated Report No ECS22/04 dated 29 February, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which outlined progress to date on plans for 2007 which had been designated by the First Minister as a year when Scotland would celebrate Highland culture.  Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Executive had formed a partnership to deliver the project and a Board had been set up with representatives of these three agencies.  The 2007 Project Manager was currently developing the business case which would identify the necessary resources.  The report gave details of some of the events proposed for 2007, depending on the agreement of partners; proposed a framework for how events would be determined and delivered; and recommended the establishment of a company to progress the project.  It also made reference to the Cultural Pledge made to young people in the Highlands and suggested that the key to the success of 2007 would be marketing, details of which were being discussed with VisitScotland.

(v)        Area Committees be asked to assist in ensuring the geographical spread of events, and they be asked to comment on the contribution of applications to the long term social and economic development of their Areas.

YOUR CHOICE TO HEALTHY LIVING

There was circulated Report No ECS23/04 dated 5 March, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which updated Members with regard to the “Your Choice to Healthy Living” Campaign, which had developed from the “Towards a Healthier Highland” committee report agreed the previous year.  It summarised some of the initiatives which were being taken forward as part of the campaign and sought Members’ views about proposals to further raise the level of public awareness about the campaign.   

In discussion, points raised included the following:- 

·           Members welcomed the high level of commitment in schools to healthy living but suggested that participation was uneven and that all Members could raise the level of knowledge in their local schools about healthy living initiatives and encourage and support schools to take a more active part.   

·          There was also some discussion of the need to achieve a balance in school meals between what was nutritional and filling and what was attractive to children and of a possible link between deprivation and the type of meals chosen by pupils.  It was suggested that there was a need for more guidance and training for staff and to consider parents’ perceptions of what constituted a healthy meal. 

·          One member also made reference to the Council’s sexual health strategy which appeared to accept the Scottish Executive view on sex education without questioning it.  He highlighted various aspects of the Executive’s policy about which he had serious concerns and suggested that Highland Council might consider a more innovative approach, referring to recent successes in the United Stated in teaching a policy of abstinence.  He suggested that the current policy was undermining the health of young people and if Members really cared they should consider an alternative. 

·          Reference was made to the importance of promoting Safer Routes to School and it was suggested that this should not be dependent on the challenge fund approach to the allocation of funds. 

The Committee NOTED the various activities associated with the “Your Choice to Healthy Living” campaign and the points raised at the meeting and AGREED that:- 

(i)         the Education, Culture and Sport Service take every opportunity to promote healthy living during the Healthy Highland Week which started on 21 June, 2004; 

(ii)        the Council seek to make a joint approach with NHS Highland to engage the local Highland media to become active and ongoing participants in the “Your Choice to Healthy Living” campaign; 

(iii)       officers investigate any possible link between deprivation and the type of meals chosen by children; and 

SCHEME OF DELEGATION TO OFFICERS: EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORT 

There was circulated Report No ECS24/04 dated 8 March, 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services which referred to the list of statutory powers and duties delegated to officers which had been approved by the Council on 30 October, 2003 and put forward a list on non-statutory delegated powers for approval. 

The Committee APPROVED the delegation of non-statutory powers to the Director of Education, Culture and Sport as outlined in the Appendix.

VISIT TO DUBLIN - MR N CLARK 

MINUTES OF MEETINGS

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC 

HIGHLAND FOOTBALL ACADEMY - CAPITAL LOAN

The Chairman had agreed that this additional item be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17.2 in light of the consequences for the project and the Directors of the company if immediate action were not taken. 

There was circulated to Members only Report No ECS25/04 dated 16 March, 2004 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on a situation which had arisen in relation to the funding of the Highland Football Academy. 

The Committee AGREED to offer a loan to the Highland Football Academy Trust in the sum of £150,000, potentially in partnership with the Enterprise Network, until monies were released from the Scottish Football Partnership Trust or for a maximum of six months, in exercise of the power to advance well-being under Section 20 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003.  The loan would be at bank base rate plus 1% accounted for in the Education, Culture and Sport capital programme and the decision would be subject to other terms and conditions agreed by the Chief Executive and the Head of Legal Services.