Mr A Mackay

Mr A Anderson

Mrs J Urquhart

Mrs M E Paterson

Mr A M Millar

Mr J Laing

Mrs I Campbell

Mr R Balfour

Mr W J Smith

Mrs S Slimon

Officials in attendance:-

Mr J MacDonald, Area Manager, Skye and Lochalsh

Mr B Robertson, Director of Education

Mr D MacDonald, Head of Education Services

Ms M A MacLeod, Gaelic Development Officer

Mrs C Christie, Employee Development manager

Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Corporate Services

There had been circulated report GSC 01/06 by the Area Manager, Skye and Lochalsh, which outlined the operation of a grant scheme to encourage radio stations to produce or develop Gaelic programmes. It was highlighted to Members that the scheme was trying to increase the uptake of those applying for a grant, as many of Scottish radio stations already producing Gaelic programmes had not yet applied.

Members were also informed of the success of Two Lochs Radio, based in Gairloch, for winning the ‘Wallace Sword’ Award, for the most innovative Gaelic programme. Mr A Gray, Station Manager, and Mrs A Mackenzie, Presenter, Two Lochs Radio were present and explained what they had tried to achieve in an hour long, weekly programme, which normally included talking with local Gaelic speakers, interspersed with local music. The two representatives were presented by the Chairman with a replica of the Wallace Sword and a cheque for £500.

During discussion Members suggested that Community Radio Stations, producing local Gaelic programmes should be included in the events for Highland 2007. Members also indicated that, while radio updates on the results from this year’s Royal National Mod had been appreciated and were successful in many areas, the radio broadcasting of the event could be improved with co-ordination and prior-planning in advance of the Mod in 2007.

The Gaelic Select Committee NOTED the award of the sword to Mr Gray and Mrs Mackenzie of Two Lochs Radio and AGREED:

1. to raise awareness of the assistance available to groups operating local community radio stations; and
2. to encourage the use of local Gaelic Radio Station programming in the 2007 events and the use of Gaelic Radio to promote the Royal National Mod.

There had been circulated report GSC 02/06 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which provided a summary of and identified key actions arising from the Scottish Executive Action Group Report – Gaelic Medium Teachers.

Members were informed that concern over the supply of Gaelic Medium Teachers was longstanding and if Gaelic Medium Education was to develop within the Scottish education system, then the recruitment and supply of Gaelic Medium Teachers would need to be addressed. The Action Group had been formed to consider the issues and set out a range of actions. The Council’s policy on addressing these issues had been highly influential in the work of the Action Group. The report gave details of the key themes of the Scottish Executive report which included:

It was explained to Members that Strathclyde and Aberdeen universities were at present expanding their part-time and distance learning programmes and local education centres, such as Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye, were being encouraged to become involved in teacher training. However those on the part-time training courses were not at present eligible to have their fees paid, and the Council had previously made representation to the Scottish Executive on this issue.

Mrs C Walker from Aberdeen University highlighted that there were many existing teachers who had the ability to teach in Gaelic but lacked the confidence and competence to do so. It was hoped that a new six month programme would encourage qualified teachers who were competent in Gaelic already, to teach in the language. The scheme was at present being piloted by Aberdeen University and it was hoped it would be extended to the whole of Scotland.

During discussion Members agreed that although confidence in the language was an issue for many teachers, there was a need to develop a wide range of resources and teaching materials for use in senior primary and secondary schools; Storlann had already been actively creating materials for primary school classes. Incentives would also have to be addressed such as the development of new, promoted posts within schools to ensure Gaelic was on a par with other subjects and departments, and working with local housing groups to ensure accommodation was not a disincentive for probationary teachers to move to a Gaelic speaking area.

Members also felt that information had to be given to parents on what was being achieved in Gaelic Medium education, in order to sustain its growth.

The Select Committee NOTED the contents of the Action Group Report and AGREED to recommend that:

1. the Scottish Executive be asked to ensure that a Gaelic Teacher Recruitment Officer was appointed, in the first instance for two years, and that this person be located within Bòrd na Gàidhlig with a remit to co-ordinate and seek implementation of the recommendations as detailed within the report as soon as possible;

2. the Scottish Executive be asked to write to Careers Scotland to encourage a greater understanding and promotion of the many career opportunities that use the Gaelic language;

3. a letter be written to the Scottish Executive concerning the inclusion of part time Gaelic Medium teaching courses in those that qualify to have their fees paid and that Gaelic Probationer Teachers be included in the SE incentives award scheme; and

4. a report be submitted to the Committee on the Council’s policies on issues such as:

1. Improved Gaelic teaching resources in the senior primary and secondary school curriculum to encourage more existing Gaelic speaking staff to switch to GME teaching;

2. The incentives being offered by the Council to encourage those prepared to teach in Gaelic to take up posts in the Council’s area; and

3. The promotion of Gaelic language as an alternative to French for pupils in senior primary school classes.

There had been circulated report GSC 03/06 by the Gaelic Development Officer, which outlined the proposal for Gaelic Language Training through Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, including proposed staff, numbers, implementation and costs.

The Employee Development Manager highlighted the proposed options of employees learning Gaelic through either a distance learning programme offered by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, or through a ten week course consisting of an hour long weekly tutorial, and the commitment and costs relating to each option.

During discussion Members supported the proposal that staff from across the Council, should be encouraged to learn Gaelic and highlighted that it was important that those who could speak Gaelic should use the language in initial contact to encourage members of the public to respond in Gaelic, if they could do so. It was thought that this could be done through a simple greeting in Gaelic, especially at local Service Points or where there was frequent contact with the public. The opportunity for Members to learn, or improve on their existing Gaelic was also sought, especially following the Council’s commitment to being bi-lingual during Highland 2007. Members were aware that there were several fluent Gaelic speakers who could be approached to lead a lunchtime class for Members from all areas.

In response to questions, it was explained that Senior Management had already been informed of the proposals contained in the report. Members were also informed of the ‘Gaelic Online’ course at Intermediate 2 level which was in the process of being developed as a fast-track option for secondary school pupils to learn Gaelic. It was thought that once this course was running, the course could also be made available to both Members and staff as an additional, alternative method of learning Gaelic.

The Select Committee APPROVED:
 

1. the proposal for a course of 16 staff at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig;

2. the proposed Highland Council process for managing the course;

3. the sponsoring of identified staff from each Service to attend the course; and

4. the provision of lunch time Gaelic courses;
    

and AGREED to recommend:
 

1. that resources required to give Councillors access to classes for Gaelic learners be identified; and

2. that Gaelic speaking staff be encouraged to initiate discussion at service points, etc in Gaelic, possibly by way of a simple greeting.

There had been circulated report GSC 04/06 by the Gaelic Development Officer which updated Members of the developments to date regarding visit of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (COMMEX).

Members were informed that evidence had to be submitted on what the Council had achieved, since it signed up to its obligations in 2002. During the COMMEX visit to Edinburgh on the 30 January 2006, there would also be an opportunity for the Council to make representations in person.

During discussion the following points were made:

Due to the absence of the Lochaber Area Manager, The Chairman sought and obtained the consent of the meeting to withdraw this item.

However, the Select Committee, at the request of Members AGREED that a report be submitted on:

1. the progress with the installation of Gaelic road signs on trunk and Council roads;
2. the standardisation of ‘street information’ signs; and
3. the correct use and spelling of Gaelic place names on road signs.

There had been circulated report GSC 05/06 by the Area Manager, Skye & Lochalsh, which outlined the recent projects which had taken place under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Novia Scotia in 2005. It was explained to Members that following the success of recent initiatives, three key projects should be pursued and costed for the 2006/2007 financial year. The three projects to be considered were: