BUSINESS

1.       

2.       

STORLANN NAISEANTA NA GAIDHLIG

Mrs M MacDonald, Manager of Storlann attended the meeting and outlined the work of the organisation, its funding and the current projects. She explained that Storlann had been set up in July 1999 to provide a service to all sectors of Gaelic Education and to co-ordinate the production and distribution of teaching materials in Gaelic. Its priorities were to deliver a programme of new resources each year for the 3-18 age range and to provide support services to schools. Initially funded by the Scottish Executive, it now received its budget of £600,000 mainly from Bord Na Gaidhlig and Local Authorities. As well as a successful reading scheme for Primary 1/2 Storlann has also produced material for a new phonics and mathematic scheme.

During discussion concern was expressed that, especially in regard to the availability of reading resources in Gaelic, there was a distinct lack of choice. It was explained to Members that the lack of resources was not solely down to funding, but was an observation made in comparison with the variety of reading and maths schemes in English and the availability of Gaelic teachers. Along with this, there was felt to be a general need for popular fiction to be made available in Gaelic, such as ‘Harry Potter’, to encourage youngsters to read in the language.

Members were also informed of a pilot for distance learning currently in use at Plockton High School. The school was operating an online course for geography students who were able to liaise with a mentor at school and have their work marked online by a tutor. The project could have implications for the way subjects were taught in terms of availability of courses and the use of technology.

In response to questions from Members, Mrs MacDonald explained that Storlann’s future plans were to develop support needs; environmental studies; music, religious and moral education material. As to resources for Sunday School, they could possibly help with some on-line material. Although at present Storlann had resources sufficient to meet demand there were major areas of possible expansion.

The Select Committee NOTED the presentation and AGREED that a report  be submitted to a future meeting of the Select Committee on how the Council could work with both publishers and translation services to encourage Gaelic versions of popular fiction.

3.

PROPOSED GUIDANCE ON BI-LINGUAL SIGNAGE ON COUNCIL BUILDINGS

There had been circulated Report NoGSC23/05 by the Director of Property and Architectural Services which set out the guidance that it had been proposed be issued on the layout, fonts and colours of bilingual signs to be erected either externally and/or internally on Council buildings, where new signs were required or existing ones had to be replaced.

The Head of Design, Property and Architecture Services highlighted to Members that as no guidance had existed to ensure compliance with The Disability Discrimination Act, a Working Group had been set up, including representatives from all Services, to address this issue. The Group had recommended the following:

- that English and Gaelic were given equal prominence on all signs,
- that upper and lower case letters were used,
- that English preceded Gaelic in the darker corporate colour of Purple to inform the majority population, and with Gaelic in green,
- both were to be in simple Ariel font on a white matt non-reflective background, complete with the Highland Council’s corporate logo and a purple border

Following discussion, during which the merits of applying this guidance on a Council wide basis were explored, the Select Committee AGREED to:-

(i)   approve, in all Council Buildings, the fitting of bilingual signs only where new signs were required or signs required replacement;
(ii)  approve the issue of the draft proposal for interior signage to guide the fitting of all new and replacement signs on the outside and within the public areas of all Council buildings;
(iii) confirm the use of bilingual signs to greet and inform the public of the names of  Council buildings, the entrance locations and throughout those internal areas to which the public would normally have access; and
(iv)  endorse the use of pictograms wherever possible.

4.

GAELIC BROADCASTING –DIGITAL CHANNEL
 
There had been circulated letter dated 5 September 2005 from the Chairman to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, expressing concerns about the effect the delay in confirming the setting up and funding a Gaelic Digital Channel was causing within the industry and the audience, due to the uncertainties caused in the purchase of new equipment until the transition from analogue to digital format was confirmed and also regard possible restrictions in the coverage of any new digital channels. A meeting was sought with the Minister to resolve these issues.
 
Following discussion during which calls were made for an early meeting with the Secretary of State, the Committee NOTED the letter and AGREED that details would be clarified concerning the timing of such a meeting once a response had been received.

5.

LIAISON WITH BORD NA GAIDHLIG 
 
The Area Manager, Skye and Lochalsh, reported on the meeting between the Highland Council and Board members and officers of Bord na Gaidhlig that had taken place on 23 August 2005. The meeting had discussed a range of national and local issues related to Gaelic and it was agreed to repeat the exercise twice per annum.

During discussion the following points were made:

- Bord na Gaidhlig was changing its structure to become a Non-Departmental Public Body. This meant that present Members would be required to step down but would be eligible, with the exception of the Chairman, for re-election. Its membership would also be increased from eight to twelve Members;
- Many Gaelic organisations did not appear to be fully aware of Highland 2007 and a meeting would be held at the end of September between the principal Gaelic organisations and the 2007 team to encourage further participation;
- The Select committee had made an informal offer of assistance to Bord na Gaidhlig, but this was yet to be confirmed; and
- The Council had successfully developed a Gaelic Language and Cultural Plan template and hoped it could be taken on board by other local authorities.

Members AGREED to:

(i) write to Bord na Gaidhlig inviting them to attend the Select Committee in order to ensure greater coordination in the run up to Highland 2007; and
(ii) explore the possibility of how best to develop the Gaelic Language and Cultural Plan templates for use by other local authorities.

6.

UPDATE REPORT
 
There had been circulated Report NoGSC24/05 by the Gaelic Development Officer which informed Members of progress on the following matters:
 
European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages
Gaelic Cross Party Group
Tobar an Dualchais
Wellbeing Alliance Gaelic Theme Group
Gaelic Courses for Staff
Nova Scotia – MOU items
Highland 2007
Gaelic Names Joint Liaison committee
Community Planning
Royal National MOD
Tosg-National Gaelic Theatre Company
Gaelic Promotions
Gaelic books/Library Support Unit
European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages

The Gaelic Development Officer informed the meeting that the Exhibition of the Nova Scotia artist Anna Syperk had arrived in Skye and it was hoped this would be followed by the exhibition touring the Highlands.

Following discussion by Members the following points were AGREED:

(i) In advance of the visit by the Scottish Executive and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office a group be formed to discuss a prepared statement on issues relating to Gaelic for presentation to the visiting party;
 (ii) In addition to Gaelic Courses for staff similar opportunities should also be made available to Members; and
 (iii) That enquires be made into the production of a postage stamp in conjunction with Highland 2007, in addition to continuing projects to include Gaelic on coinage and the within the crest of the Scottish Football strip.

The Select Committee otherwise NOTED the report.

7.

AM BAILE – HIGHLAND HISTORY AND CULTURE

 Mrs M MacDonald and Ms C Maclean from the Am Baile project attended the Select Committee and outlined the development of the project, its current work and their future plans.  It was explained Am Baile had been established with initial funding from the New Opportunities Commission to create a website which would feature aspects of the history and culture of the Highlands and Islands. The site contained a wide range of material digitised from archives, libraries, museums and private collections and could be used in either Gaelic or English.  The project, which was now fully funded by the Council, was managed as part of the Highland Library Service. 

The project had several areas of activity that it hoped to develop in the future, including:

A technological development whereby visitors to the site could upload their own stories, encouraging both Gaelic writers and learners alike;
The expansion of their current ‘scrapbook’ facility where visitors could create their own mini site using their favourite information and develop this so that users could also add on their own material and link this to the main site;
To build on teachers resources working together with Gaelic Online wherever possible. This would in turn allow both pupils and teachers to make use of additional resources to enhance existing classroom materials; and
To try to develop a local history service on line to ensure a fully integrated service.

In response to questions from Members it was explained that the website was currently experiencing around 30,000 hits a month and also received feedback from the descendants of those who left the Highland during the Clearances.

The Committee NOTED the presentation and congratulated the project on winning the Scottish Executive sponsored Delivering Excellence Prize at the 2005 COSLA Awards.

The meeting closed at 15:50pm.