Mr Murdo Morrison, Mod Manager for An Comunn Gaidhealach, gave a presentation outlining the proposal to introduce a fixed circuit of venues for the Royal National Mod which reflected the organisation’s regional committee structure: Northern; South Eastern; South Western; Western Isles; and Argyll & the Isles, and the likely implications for the Highland area.

The proposed system had been discussed internally for some time and the results of two surveys of An Comunn Gaidhealach members indicated broad support for the idea, which would ensure that each region hosted the Mod on a regular basis, with the advantage of allowing better financial planning by local authorities and other relevant organisations, and a better retention of local knowledge in each region. Branches within each region would make bids to hold the Mod, possibly on a mini-circuit with the region, although provision would also be made, if the established location did not want to hold the Mod, for ‘wild card’ bids to be sought. It was anticipated that the new circuit would not start until 2008.

During discussion the following points were made:

The Committee AGREED:-

1. To recommend to An Comunn Gaidhealach that a schedule be prepared detailing the criteria required of a location wishing to host the Mod, which would include, for example, the minimum number of venues and accommodation facilities considered essential; and
2. To support the proposal of a fixed circuit for the Royal National Mod.

There was circulated Report No. GSC 23/04 by the Director of Education Culture and Sport advising that the Minister for Education and Young People had issued draft guidance on Gaelic education in terms of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act of 2000. The Act placed a duty on local authorities to include Gaelic in their improvement objectives for education, gave Ministers power to set objectives for Gaelic, included Gaelic in the National Priorities for Education, and entitled Ministers to issue guidance to local authorities on Gaelic Medium Education. Written responses on the draft guidance were to be submitted by 17 December 2004.

It was noted that the report would also be considered by the Education, Culture and Sport Committee at its meeting on 11 November 2004.

Members commented on the nature of the response that the Council should make as follows:-

Members NOTED the terms of the consultation paper on Draft Gaelic Education Guidance and AGREED:

1. To remit to the Director of Education, Culture and Sport in consultation with the Chairman of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee and the Chairman of the Gaelic Select Committee to finalise the Highland Council response, taking into account the views of the Committee.
2. That a study be undertaken on the demographics of a sample of GME units where the parents of the children had been GME pupils, with this information being reported to Mr Peter Peacock, MSP, if appropriate; and
3. If possible, the draft response to the consultation be circulated to Members of the Gaelic Select Committee prior to its submission.

There was circulated Report No. GSC24/04 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport identifying the initial priorities and work plan of the newly appointed Director of Highland 2007 during the first four weeks since taking up her appointment.

The following items from the report were highlighted:-

It was acknowledged that some Highland 2007 issues did not appear in the report but would be included in future. Concern was expressed that some key organisations, groups and individuals with whom communication was required were missing from the list of those contacted so far. It was explained that the list in the report only included those with whom the Director of Highland 2007 had been in communication and it was not exhaustive. Members made several suggested additions to the list.

It was explained to Members who were concerned that some other local authorities seemed to have little, if any, information on Highland 2007, that the event was intended to be organised in the initial stages by Scottish Executive, Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and that the project was starting to involve other organisations, including local authorities, now that processes, procedures and overall financial matters had been put in place.

The Committee NOTED the content of the progress report and AGREED:-

1. Gaelic should be the cornerstone of 2007 celebrations;
2. More detail should be included in future reports on the planned events and projects for 2007, including reference to the many suggestions that had been made by the Gaelic Select Committee; and
3. A comprehensive list of appropriate organisations, groups and individuals with whom communication was required should be prepared and included in future reports.

There was circulated Report No. GSC25/04 by the Director of Education Culture and Sport giving an account of a public lecture given by the distinguished linguist, Dr Joshua Fishman, and inviting discussion of the main issues raised by Dr Fishman in relation to Gaelic.

Dr Fishman had highlighted the importance of intergenerational language transmission and had emphasised the need for learning language in a community setting. Gaelic Medium Education in Scotland had been criticised for being too focused on education and it was considered important that present-day parents who had been educated through the medium of Gaelic were now targeted to encourage them to pass their language skills onto their children.

While acknowledging that Dr Fishman had made a number of valuable contributions to the debate on how best to sustain and develop the Gaelic language and culture, it was also clear that much more work was being done than he had appreciated.

There was circulated Report No. GSC26/04 by the Area Manager of Skye and Lochalsh giving details of a recent visit by a number of officers from the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia during which an opportunity was taken to review progress to date and consider potential projects which could be pursued in the coming two years.

Members were supportive of the visit and agreed that the Memorandum of Understanding should be based on meaningful information. Members expressed disappointment that the visit had taken place during school holidays, which meant the officers from Nova Scotia had been unable to visit Gaelic-medium Education Units. However, it was clarified that the visits had been timed to suit the requirements of the Canadian officers.

An update report by the Gaelic Development Officer on current issues, including progress with the Gaelic Language Bill, was tabled at the meeting.

The following items were highlighted from the report:-

Members NOTED the report and AGREED that:-

1. Action be taken to ensure that existing Council policy on the use of bilingual signage on roads and buildings was adhered to in view of the number of recent examples of new or replacement signs being installed that clearly did not meet the current policy. This, especially so, in view of the recent activity by the Trunk Road authority to introduce bilingual road signs; and
2. Further discussion take place with the Trunk Road Authority regarding bilingual signs on the A9 and A96.

Members AGREED that Gaelic Select meetings would continue to take place in Committee Rooms rather than in Chambers, unless an unusually high turnout was expected.