Education, Culture and Sport Committee Minutes 23 May 2002

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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, 23rd May, 2002 at 10.15 a.m.

PRESENT

Mr R Saxon
Mr T Jackson
Mr J W Oag
Mr W Mowat
Mr D Allan
Mr D R Green
Mr A Anderson
Mr R W Durham
Mrs M E Paterson
Mr A M M Beaton
Mr A M Millar
Mrs I Campbell

Mr R Balfour
Mrs M C Davidson
Mr J W A Thomson
Mrs M A MacLennan
Mr A J Dick
Mr J Gray
Mrs S Slimon
Mr B M S Dunlop
Mr G M Bruce
Dr M E M Foxley
Mr N M Clark
Rev A Glass

NON-MEMBERS ALSO PRESENT:

Mr J H Green
Mr G M Smith
Mr E C MacKinnon
Mr D W Briggs

Dr D Alston
Mr G Coutts
Mrs K G Matheson
Mr R Severn

Officials in attendance:

Mr B Robertson, Director of Education, Culture and Sport
Mr H Fraser, Head of Support Services, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Mr I Murray, Head of Community Services, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Mr D MacDonald, Head of Education Services, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Mr J Fyfe, Head of Transition, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Mr R MacKenzie, Finance Manager, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Mrs J Graham, External Funding Manager, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Ms N Murray, Cleaning and Catering Manager, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Mr C Phillips, Acting Library and Information Manager, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Mr B Hemming, Resources Manager, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Mr R Steward, Archivist, Education, Culture and Sport Service
Mr L Young, Area Education Manager, Skye & Lochalsh

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

Rev A Glass opened the meeting with prayer.

At the commencement of the meeting there was a short musical and dramatic performance by members of a group called Red Centre Dreaming, together with children from Carrbridge Primary School. Red Centre Dreaming was an indigenous group from Australia who had been booked to tour schools in the Highlands and would be performing at Eden Court Theatre on 23rd May, 2002. The pupils from Carrbridge took part in a piece of traditional, Aboriginal music/singing and movement learned at a workshop at their school earlier in the week.

The Committee thanked the members of Red Centre Dreaming and the children from Carrbridge Primary School for a very energetic and entertaining performance.

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr A Rhind, Mrs C A Wilson, Mr A Paterson, Mr P Corbett, Mrs J N Home, Mr J N Matheson and Mrs L MacDonald.

2.	SUCCESSES The Committee NOTED the following and AGREED that congratulations be conveyed to those concerned: - A Barclays New Futures Award of £5,000 had been given to a project where Invergordon Academy pupils would work with adults attending Isobel Rhind Centre and help them to develop ICT skills. - An ERDF Grant of £333,131 had been awarded for the redevelopment of Helmsdale Community Hall. - Robert MacKenzie of Dingwall Primary had won 1st place in the 10-12 category at the first Climb Fest Final ever to be held in Inverness. - Portree Primary had been the Highlands and Islands winners for the second year running of the "Be an Inventor" competition and would represent this area in the national finals at the Glasgow Science Centre in June, where they would attempt to win the national prize for the second year running. - Th!nk Enterprises from Fortrose Academy had won the Highland final of the Royal Bank of Scotland Young Enterprise Awards. The team would now represent the Highlands in the Scottish final to be held in Edinburgh on 11 June, 2002. - Fortrose Academy’s Higher Modern Studies students had been announced as number 1 team in Scotland in the 2002 RGU National Modern Studies Competition. - In its first year involved in Enterprise Education, Portree Primary School had won the Skene Award for the best mini-enterprise in the Highlands. The class involved would now go through to the Highlands and Islands and national finals. - Lochcarron Shinty Team had been promoted to the National Premier League. - John Fyfe had been appointed as Head of Transition in the Education, Culture and Sport Service. - Dingwall had been the only school in Scotland to qualify for the finals of the Scottish Community Drama competition.

	RESOURCES

3.	REVENUE BUDGET The Committee considered reports on Revenue Expenditure, copies of which had been circulated, as follows:- a) Education, Culture and Sport Revenue Expenditure 2002/03 - Monitoring There was circulated Report No ECS33/02 dated 14 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport giving details of the Education, Culture and Sport Revenue Budget for 2002/03 and the likely financial position facing the Service in the year ahead. The Committee NOTED (i) the issues outlined in the report, in particular the position with regard to underfunding of McCrone and the distribution of that element of the Excellence Fund which would in future be funded from GAE; and (ii) that a further report would be brought to the Committee outlining progress with the achievement of the savings target along with the position at the start of the new school session. It was AGREED that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Portfolio Holders Group giving a clear breakdown of the budget available for Special Educational Needs. b) McCrone Update There was circulated Report No ECS50/02 dated 14 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport up-dating members on developments on the outcomes of the McCrone Agreement on teachers pay and conditions of service. National and local issues were highlighted, including budgetary considerations, and members were asked to note, in particular, current difficulties in arrangements for the recruitment of support staff and probationers. The Director spoke to his report updating Members on the current position in relation to the establishment of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff and the recruitment of probationers. The Convener also updated Members on the representations which had been made through the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities regarding the current underfunding of the McCrone recommendations. In discussion, reference was made to the recently published report of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic (MAGOG) and there was considerable discussion of the current position with regard to Gaelic medium teacher training and recruitment. It was pointed out that the Council was currently unable to deliver its policy on Gaelic medium Education due to the shortage of teachers. It was suggested that one key issue was the lack of a teacher training facility within the Highlands and Islands and that incentives should also be considered to encourage existing teachers and mature students to train as Gaelic medium teachers. Other Members expressed concern regarding the current shortage of mathematics teachers and the prospect of teacher shortages in general in light of the numbers likely to retire over the next 10 years. It was suggested that there was a need for leadership and action from the Scottish Executive to avert a crisis not just in Gaelic but in Education generally. The Committee AGREED:- (i) to note the content of the report and the current position in relation to McCrone; (ii) that reports be submitted to the August meeting on the establishment of the local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff and the recruitment of probationers; (iii) further updates on progress with McCrone be submitted to future meetings of the Committee; (iv) a Special Meeting of the Gaelic Working Group be arranged to consider a response on behalf of the Council to the report by the Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic; and (v) representations continue to be made for Gaelic medium teacher training to be available within the Highlands and Islands and consideration be given to offering incentives to encourage people to train as Gaelic medium teachers. c) Joint Budget for Residential School Placements There was circulated Joint Report No ECS34/02 dated 7 May, 2002 by the Directors of Education, Culture and Sport and Social Work which referred to the separate budgets each Service had for residential school placements for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and those affected by disabilities. It was suggested that, as increasingly such school placements were made on a joint basis, it was more appropriate to have a joint budget. Details were given of the numbers of placements, of the budgets available and the proposed management and reporting arrangements. The Committee APPROVED for their interest a joint budget for residential school placements on the basis detailed in the report. d) School Residences - Income Generation There was circulated Report No ECS35/02 dated 29 April, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which outlined proposals for increased income generation by school residences. In particular, it sought members’ approval to increase charges for services provided by residences with effect from 5 July, 2002. The Committee AGREED: (i) to levy an increase in residence charges as detailed in paragraph 2.1 and the Appendix of the report; (ii) to homologate the officers’ decision to increase placing request pupil charges to £13.00 per day as from 1 April, 2001; (iii) that publicity material be produced for distribution to potential customers outlining the facilities(expertise) available at each residence and the particular merits of the locality; (iv) to develop, in conjunction with the Traditional Music Director, Plockton High School Residence as a Centre for Traditional Music development; (v) to encourage greater use of residences by other council services; (vi) to research the possibility of offering a package based on using multi-residence based activities; (vii) to increase residence charges in line with inflation on an annual basis; and (viii) to carry out a cost analysis of the service provision to customers to identify whether or not aspects of the residence operation were profitable activities. e) Culture and Sport Grants 2002/03 There was circulated Report No ECS36/02 dated 10 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the budget situation for Culture and Sport Grants for 2002/03 and provided details of current applications together with the recommendations of the Portfolio Holders Group. The Committee NOTED the current budget situation and APPROVED the following grants:- - Highland Disability Sport - £3,050 - Gael Force Ten- £1,000

4.	CAPITAL EXPENDITURE The Committee considered reports on Capital Expenditure, copies of which had been circulated, as follows: a) Capital Programme 2001/02 – Monitoring There was circulated Report No ECS37/02 dated 2nd May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport outlining the near final position on the Capital Programme for Education and Culture and Sport as at 31st March, 2002. Statements of expenditure for Education and for Culture and Sport were identified separately in the report. In relation to the Education Capital Budget reference was made to significant pressures which had already been identified and others which were becoming evident. Given these pressures and pending the Scottish Executive’s decision on the second Public Private Partnership Project for the Highlands it was pointed out that there would be a requirement for the Capital Programme 2002/03 to be revised in order to take account of the identified pressures. The Committee NOTED the content of the report and HOMOLOGATED the decision to proceed with emergency repairs required to the electrical distribution systems at Kinlochleven Secondary/Primary School at a cost of £43,216. b) Education, Culture and Sport Capital Programme/New Project Funds There was circulated Report No ECS38/02 dated 29th April, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the allocation of the £51,000 available for new projects in 2002/03. The report set out the full list of Area submissions, excluding village halls and leisure facility improvements for which there were separate allocations, and identified projects recommended for approval by the Portfolio Holders Group. The Committee AGREED that the £51,000 available for new projects be allocated as follows: Nairn Little Theatre £10,000 Bellfield Park Tennis Courts £1,000 Nairn Tennis Courts £10,000 Glenurquhart Community Library £15,000 Ardnamurchan Community Library £15,000

5.	NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND – P.E. AND SPORT INITIATIVE There was circulated Report No ECS39/02 dated 13 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport referring to the sum of £3,277,000 allocated by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) to fund two programmes – Facilities and Activities - in Highland. The main beneficiaries were to be 15-16 year old children and young people, within and outwith the curriculum. Communities were also expected to benefit either directly or indirectly. The Director set out the conditions attached to the funding and referred to the role of the local authority as lead organisation and possible uses of the funding available. The deadline for bid submissions was 20th September, 2002. After discussion, the Committee APPROVED the following approach to the preparation of NOF applications:- 1. Activities Bids a) "Out of School Hours" to be progressed using community schools model; b) "Active Steps" to be progressed on a Pan Highland basis. 2. Facilities Bid a) Officers to identify a "short list" of potential projects by applying NOF criteria to the "expressions of interest long list"; b) Area Committees consider the "short list" together with agreed additional Highland criteria and financial guidance to enable them to identify a maximum of three Area priority projects; c) Given the short timescale, it be remitted with powers to a special meeting of the Portfolio Holders Group to consider priority projects identified by Area Committees to allow the applications to NOF to be progressed in time.

	POLICY

6.	EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORT SERVICE PLAN There was circulated Report No ECS40/02 dated 8 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the draft Service Plan for the new Education, Culture and Sport Service which outlined the proposed Improvement Themes for the period 2002-05. The Plan outlined the internal and external influences on the planning process and set Service-wide Improvement Objectives in response to these influences and within the context of a three-year budget process. The draft Service Plan was circulated separately. Following a presentation by the Director, points raised in discussion included the following:- - The Chairman congratulated officials on the high quality of the Plan and the work that had gone into producing it. - Concern was expressed about the apparent fall in performance of some young people between S and H Grade examinations. The Director referred to steps being taken to address this issue. - It was suggested that the current co-operation and partnerships with others should be included in the statement of key resources and that the word "play" should be included in Goal 9 in view of the importance of play within the educational process. - Reference was made to the importance of disabled access for parents and children and of adult basic education, to the need to pull together existing policies on Gaelic and the need to ensure that schools offered children the opportunity to participate in different physical activities. - Steps should be taken to raise awareness of what was involved within the new community school approach and the problem of opposition to proposed developments within communities should be addressed. - There was considerable concern regarding current problems of making full use of information and communications technology in the Highlands. The Director indicated that the Council’s concerns in this regard had been communicated to the Scottish Executive who were trying to address the problem through a broad band pilot. - There was a need for the Service to take a lead in trying to reduce the numbers of young people misusing drugs and alcohol. Members were particularly concerned about the increasing use of heroin and the overall scale of the problem. - It was suggested that a goal be included of encouraging young people to become involved in equal citizenship and ethos. - Highland Council should take the lead in pulling together developments in the commercial and public sector in lifelong learning. The Committee AGREED:- (i) to approve the Service Plan for 2002-05 subject to amendments proposed by Members; (ii) to adopt the Service Goals included in the document; that there be regular reviews of progress; (iii) that Area Service Plans be prepared across Highland; (iv) to note that a Standards and Quality Report in Highland Education would be prepared in the autumn of 2002; (v) a report be submitted to a future meeting on the steps being take to meet the target set by Europe in relation to disabled access; (vi) reports be submitted to Area Committees on progress with the creation of the Adult Literacies Team and the extended range of provision for Adult Basic Education; (vii) representatives of the local Drugs and Alcohol Forums be invited to attend meetings of the Area Committees to report on their work; and (viii) a visit be arranged for Members to the new secondary school at Strontian.

7.	SUPPORT FOR THE CURRICULUM – BEST VALUE REVIEW There was circulated Report No ECS41/02 dated 14th May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the Best Value review of Support for the Curriculum in Highland Schools. The report showed the objectives and scope of the review, the outcome of which was a report containing 13 recommendations for structures and practices to support the delivery of the curriculum in Highland schools. The recommendations were appended to the report and a copy of the full report was available for perusal. The implications of the recommendations involved a number of staff and accommodation issues. In particular it was necessary to consider issues in relation to the establishment of a quality development team and a full review of the Visiting Teacher Service. After discussion, during which reference was made to the need to manage the performance of visiting teachers of music, particular reference being made to piping instructors, the Committee APPROVED the recommendations of the Best Value Review and AGREED that:- (i) a Quality Development Team be established and that appropriate recommendations on the staffing structure be detailed in a report to a future meeting of the Resources Committee; and (ii) a full review of the Visiting Teaching Service be undertaken.

8.	REVIEW OF ARCHIVE STRATEGY There was circulated Report No ECS42/02 dated 10 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which reviewed the management and operation of current archive services operated by the Council and proposed recommendations to develop and enhance archival care in the Highlands. The report gave details of current policy, archive storage, project work and development and income generation. Much of the archive strategy approved by the former Cultural and Leisure Services Committee in May, 1996 remained appropriate. It was still proposed, subject to the availability of funding, to set in place the three tier structure proposed made up of a central repository for Highland wide collections and support services, backing up Area based repositories with professional staff overseeing archive centres across the Highlands. The Heritage Lottery Fund had been approached requesting a meeting to seek its support for the Council’s strategy and the "hub and spokes" structure proposed. In discussion, reference was made to the Council’s obligation to look after archives and the benefits of the archival service both to Education and Tourism. It was important that provision be made locally, specific reference being made to current proposals for Caithness. It was also suggested that the Council had an opportunity to engage more closely with UHI in relation to their archive strategy. Members referred to the position with regard to private collections which the owners had no obligation to deposit with the authority. It was suggested that the Authority should consider ways in which they could assist in maintaining such local archives. It was also suggested that the Service assess the costs of running an archival service, in comparison with the income which could accrue, in order to illustrate the economic benefits. The Committee AGREED that: (i) discussions be pursued with the Heritage Lottery Fund to identify their potential support for a co-ordinated and strategic delivery of archival information in the Highlands and towards the development of the "hub and spokes" model outlined in the report; (ii) the idea of establishing Approved Archive Service Centres be pursued and proposals sought from Areas on appropriate partnership arrangements; (iii) the Council’s Record Management Scheme be reviewed with Corporate Services; (iv) the feasibility of establishing a Conservation Unit be investigated; (v) the feasibility of establishing an Archive Education Outreach Officer be investigated; and (vi) discussions be pursued with UHI with a view to enlisting their support for the proposals.

9.	CHAMPIONING CULTURE IN SCHOOLS: THE CO-ORDINATOR PILOT SCHEME There was circulated Report No ECS43/02 dated 29 April, 2002 on the Scottish Executive’s Pilot Scheme to appoint Cultural Co-ordinators (or Champions) in Scottish Schools. A two-year pilot scheme had been announced on 8th April, 2002 with a total of £1.75m made available to support those local authorities who participated. All local authorities were invited to apply. The programme allowed for each co-ordinator to be employed for two days per week and authorities with over 25,000 pupils could apply for support for up to eight co-ordinators. Details were given of the aims and objectives of the scheme and the funding arrangements. The Committee AGREED that an application to join the Championing Culture in Schools Scheme be lodged by the deadline of 3 June 2002 on the following basis: (i) that each of the Council’s Areas be given access to a Cultural Co-ordinator; and (ii) it be remitted to each Area Committee to consider a report in order to determine the most appropriate schools to be included locally. It was further AGREED that the Council implement the scheme using the Excellence Fund as matching funding of £33,131 in 2002/03.

10.	CATERING AND CLEANING SERVICES There was circulated Report No ECS44/02 dated 10 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the aims and objectives of the Catering Service which had became an integrated element of the new Education, Culture and Sport Service from 1 April, 2002. Details were given of the service provided, links and partnership arrangements and the priorities proposed for the future. The report commented on the Maxi Highland School Meals Pack and outlined other initiatives aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of all in the Highlands. The Committee NOTED the contents of the report and, subject to consideration of a point raised with regard to reviewing the products provided in schools in light of the key outcome included in the Service Plan of reducing dental caries, AGREED to:- (i) support the Highland School Meals Welcome Pack and future developments; (ii) endorse the integration of services and joint projects; support on-going promotions/initiatives for the wellbeing of children (iii) and families in the Highlands; and (iv) agree to officially launch the Smart Lifestyle image for schools, and extend this concept to all school dining rooms.

11.	ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR EDUCATION AUTHORITY FUNDED SCHOOL TRANSPORT There was circulated Report No ECS45/02 dated 14 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the detail of the eligibility criteria for provision of Education Authority funded school transport currently applied by the Highland Council and examined options for amendment of the criteria and the possible budgetary impact of any amendment. An appendix to the report showed practice with regard to walking distance criteria in other Scottish local authority areas. The Director spoke to his report highlighting the key issues and clarifying the criteria used to determine eligibility and the provision made. In discussion reference was made to the health and wellbeing of children, to the budget implications of any change in policy, to the responsibilities of parents, to changes in road conditions and the expectations of parents since the policy had been set, to the need to consider the pre-school situation and issues such as social inclusion, to Safer Routes to School schemes and to the practice of other authorities. It was suggested that the Council should review current use of public sector and community vehicles and that there should be further discussion with young people and parents. It was also suggested that wider consideration be given to the issue, for example, the costs of transport for a pupil throughout their school life could be compared to the cost of providing a new footpath to enable pupils to walk to school. The Committee AGREED that:- (i) the "walking distance" criteria as set out in the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 be retained in the matter of determining provision of Education Authority funded home to school transport; (ii) the matter of recognition of rurality issues in the Grant Aided Expenditure allocation be raised with the Scottish Executive in order to ensure that the particular challenges facing the Highland Council in respect of transport provision, including inclement weather, were recognised in financial terms; (iii) the Highland Council approach the Scottish Executive with a request that the 1980 criteria relating to school transport provision be reviewed to reflect present day conditions and enlist the support of COSLA and the local MSPs in making this approach; (iv) the possible enhancement of transport provision both for the public and for school pupils be sought through the development of integrated transport procurement; and a pilot study be carried out in one area to consider current costs and uses of public sector and community owned vehicles with a view to ensuring the most efficient use of such vehicles; and (v) there be discussion on the question of transport at the Area Education Forums to be held in the Autumn.

12.	SCHOOL HOLIDAY PATTERN There was circulated Report No ECS46/02 dated 1 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the outcome of consultation on the school holiday pattern, with particular reference to the Easter holiday. The report listed the factors to be taken into account in setting school holiday dates and referred to a national debate on the pattern of the school year which had been discussed at the most recent round of Area Education Forum meetings and subsequently with teaching unions. The Committee AGREED that the school Easter holiday should be fixed to fall in the first two weeks of April every year and that where the Easter weekend fell outwith this period, then two days be reallocated from the Summer holiday period to provide a holiday at the Easter weekend.

13.	INTEGRATION OF SCHOOL AND PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES There was circulated Report No ECS47/02 dated 10 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the progress on integrating the Public and School Library Services and introduced the recommendations of the COSLA Standards for School Libraries in Scotland. The adoption of the COSLA Standards was seen as a necessary first step in assisting the development of an integrated policy for the Library Service and determining the subsequent budgetary provision for the delivery of integrated School and Public Library Services. It was intended that an integrated policy be prepared, in consultation with a wide range of staff, to be presented to the Committee at their August meeting. The Committee NOTED the progress towards an Integrated Library Service and ENDORSED the COSLA Standards for School Library Services in Scotland.

14.	REVIEW OF EDUCATIONAL PROVISION – DULCHREICHARD PRIMARY SCHOOL There was circulated Report No ECS48/02 dated 14 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which informed members of the roll position at Dulchreichard Primary School which had steadily declined over the last few years to the extent that only one pupil was due to attend Dulchreichard School in the next session. On the recommendation of the Director and of the City of Inverness and Area Education Committee, the Committee AGREED (i) that the sole pupil from Dulchreichard be transferred to Glenurquhart Primary School for session 2002/03; (ii) that Dulchreichard Primary School be "mothballed" for session 2002/03; and (iii) the position be reviewed on an ongoing basis and officials report further to Committee if circumstances changed in relation to the school roll.

15.	RADDERY HOUSE AND DEN OF RADDERY, FORTROSE - LEASE There was circulated Report No ECS49/02 dated 14 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on a request from Raddery School Ltd for a new 50 year lease to be drawn up between the Council and Raddery School Ltd to allow for the development of a new facility for pupils requiring special educational provision by Raddery School Ltd. It was considered that the facility would contribute to the overall provision by the Highland Council Education, Culture and Sport and Social Work Services in meeting the needs of young people and families within the Highlands. Given that the development could take up to three years, however, it was suggested that the lease include a three-year break option which could be exercised should the Company’s business goal not be achieved. The Committee AGREED that:- (i) a new 50 year lease be drawn up between Raddery School Ltd and the Council at a market rent; (ii) the lease include the future option for Raddery School Ltd to purchase the property at a market value set by the District Valuer; and (iii) a three-year breakpoint be included in the lease on behalf of Raddery School Ltd.

16.	UHI WORKING GROUP The Committee AGREED that Mr A M Millar be appointed to fill the vacancy in the membership of the UHI Working Group following the resignation of Mr F Waters.

17.	ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCE – Mrs S SLIMON The Committee HOMOLOGATED the decision of the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Convener, to approve the attendance of Mrs S Slimon at a conference relating to the Museum of the Year Award 2002 held in Luxembourg from 8th to 12th May 2002, the total costs involved amounting to £668.33.

	MINUTES

18.	MINUTES OF MEETINGS The Committee NOTED and where necessary APPROVED the Minutes of the following meetings:- (i) Minutes of a Meeting of the UHI Working Group held on 28 February, 2002; (ii) Minutes of a Meeting of the Gaelic Working Group held on 14 March, 2002; (iii) Minutes of a Meeting of the Education Appeals Committee (Teaching Staff) held on 20th March, 2002; (iv) Minutes of a Meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Appointments Panel held on 3 May, 2002; and (v) Minutes of a Meeting of the Education Transport Appeals Committee held on 8 May 2002. The Committee adjourned for lunch at 1.40 p.m. and resumed at 2.15 p.m.

19.	THE NATIONAL DEBATE ON EDUCATION There was circulated Report No. ECS51/02 dated 14 May, 2002 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the National Debate on Education which had been initiated by the Scottish Executive to consider the future of school education in Scotland. The Director reported that, in contrast to the normal Green Paper route, the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive had decided to encourage a range of interested parties to advise on the long-term strategic policies that should be followed. Views were requested by the end of June. The Director’s report took the form of a discussion paper and a Feedback Form was appended which gave a broad steer on the range of issues to be considered. Representatives of the Youth Voice were invited to start the Debate and a range of interest groups had been invited to take part. The representatives of the Youth Voice gave a presentation on the Youth Voice and their activities during the year. They put forward reasons why young people should be listened to and the benefits of doing so to the Education Service. They welcomed the opportunity to take part in the National Debate and advised of the steps which they had taken to encourage young people to have an input. They then presented their views on the future of education, referring to core skills which young people needed to learn and setting out what they wanted for the future and how it could be delivered. In a full discussion points raised included the following:- - Members were impressed by the quality of the Youth Voice presentation and suggested that the Council’s response to the National Debate should stress the importance of listening to young people and taking their views seriously. - Reference was made to the problems of discipline in schools and the use of exclusion. It was considered that there were links between the curriculum and disciplinary problems and there was a need to provide a relevant curriculum or experience in school to engage young people. Representatives of teachers confirmed that discipline was an important issue in schools and indicated that, while they would try to engage young people, they felt that the ultimate sanction of exclusion was necessary. Reference was also made to the responsibilities of parents and the possible use of home/school partnerships, and to the importance of young people learning certain standards of discipline for their future life and employment prospects. - There was discussion of the extent to which the current curriculum was meaningful and accessible. It was suggested that there was a need to consider different ways of delivering the curriculum, that it was currently too full, and that there was a need to free up the curriculum from current constraints of examinations, league tables and timetabling and consider how it was organised at different stages within primary and secondary schools. The representatives of the Youth Voice agreed with the need for flexibility in the curriculum but stressed that core skills were important. - In discussion of the use of information and communications technology (ICT) it was suggested that distance learning was an important development, particularly in rural areas, providing flexibility of access, learning at a time and pace to suit and a wealth of references. It was, however, necessary for the use of ICT to be planned and organised with objectives set by Educationalists and to recognise that the opportunities offered were only as good as the software available. There was also a need nationally to address the question of broad band technology. - Reference was made to the age at which children start school it being pointed out that in many countries the entry date was later and education apparently more successful. The importance of learning through play was also stressed. - There was discussion of how to encourage more young people to become involved reference being made to current difficulties such as transport and apathy. It was suggested that young people might be invited to meetings of Area Committees to have input to decisions which would affect them. The Youth Voice representatives undertook to give further consideration to this matter. - Reference was made to the importance of unofficial core skills such as confidence etc which could be developed through outdoor education, which also helped to engage young people who had no interest in the formal curriculum. - There was a need to raise awareness among primary teachers of problems such as dyslexia, autism etc. It was suggested that the current practice of meeting a range of needs in mainstream schools was difficult but inclusion was good for all involved. - Suggestions put forward included that tax be increased by 3p to invest in school buildings, that support be provided for teachers who were currently demoralised, that consideration be given to access, and the aim should be to make Gaelic medium education available to all in the early years followed by the opportunity to learn one of the other modern European languages. - In discussion of the role of teachers, it was suggested that teachers, particularly in the upper secondary school, might move more towards being facilitators rather than classroom teachers. Representatives of teachers felt, however, that there would always be a need for the interface between the teacher and pupil. - Reference was made to the resources required to provide a good education service. At the conclusion of the discussion the Director thanked those participating for their contributions and indicated that any further views should be submitted to him in writing. He also suggested that, if the Council were given the opportunity give oral evidence to Parliament in relation to the Debate, the Youth Voice representatives should be included in the delegation. The Committee AGREED that the Director prepare a response on behalf of the Council to the National Debate on Education taking on board the views expressed at the meeting and that the views put forward also be used to inform policy development within the Education, Culture and Sport Service. The meeting ended at 4.05 p.m.