Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr R Saxon.

There was circulated report GSC 07/05 by the Director of Highland 2007 presenting an update on the integration of Gaelic language and culture within the Highland 2007 programme.

The Director of 2007 indicated that:

During discussion, Members made the following points regarding the 2007 programme of events:

It was AGREED that:

1. the organisation of a large gathering for those involved in Gaelic-medium Education be progressed by the Education, Culture and Sport Service;
2. the application form for 2007 events ask what impact the proposed event was likely to have on the promotion of Gaelic language and culture, as this was one of the fundamental threads of EU funding; and
3. a meeting be arranged between the Gaelic Select Committee and the Gaelic agencies detailed in the report.

The government intended to switch from analogue to digital television between 2008 and 2012, and the Ofcom review indicated that Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), i.e. regional programmes including Gaelic broadcasting, for ITV, would be reduced, eventually to zero, from May 2005 until the switchover to digital TV and the possible creation of a digital Gaelic channel.

The Scottish Media Group (SMG) had indicated their intention to continue broadcasting a weekly block of Gaelic-language programmes, post-midnight, for up to one year following the creation of a digital Gaelic channel, which was planned for early 2006, and would be funded by the Gaelic Media Service (GMS). However, viewers would much prefer Gaelic programmes to be broadcast at a suitable time, rather than post-midnight.

The Ofcom Consultation acknowledged the crucial role the BBC played in Gaelic broadcasting and suggested that the new BBC charter, from 2007 to 2017, would be a critical period in terms of the future funding of the BBC. The BBC’s approach to Gaelic involved participation in a partnership where funds from BBC, GMS and Independent Television Companies were used to produce a multi-media service. Other BBC plans were dependant on GMS acquiring additional funding from Government and support from SMG, and included:

Ofcom welcomed SMG’s support for a Gaelic channel and intended to work with GMS to help realise this. As such, Ofcom was of the view that SMG should be relieved of their obligation to broadcast in peak-time, in view of their support for a digital channel. Ofcom did not mention the BBC in their PSB III Consultation Paper, only the BBC’s pledge to continue supporting minority languages.

Finally, the aspirations of GMS for the future of Gaelic broadcasting were outlined as follows:

Members thanked the GMS representatives for the presentation and expressed considerable disappointment at the uncertainty surrounding the future of Gaelic broadcasting and the lack of support being demonstrated by Ofcom and by SMG. It was felt that, in part, this was because control of television networks was London-based and therefore the Scottish, and particularly Gaelic, audiences were not receiving adequate consideration.

During discussion, Members expressed a preference for the BBC partnership approach to Gaelic broadcasting and also wished to support the creation of a digital Gaelic channel. It was considered, in addition to appropriate responses being made to Ofcom, that further investigation was required into the need to widen the availability of Radio nan Gaidheal and to increase the sub-titling of English programmes in Gaelic, particularly news and current affairs.

Members AGREED that:

1. the Ofcom review of Public Service Broadcasting be responded to in a positive way in relation to the creation of a Gaelic digital channel;
2. a response be sent to Ofcom, copied to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, making clear the Council’s view on the plans for ITV to reduce Gaelic broadcasting;
3. a similar response be sent to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, copied to Ofcom, on the Council’s response to the Green Paper; and
4. the Scottish Executive be informed of the Council’s interest in Gaelic broadcasting and the wish to support the creation of a digital Gaelic channel and the widening of the availability of Radio nan Gaidheal.

The Vice Convener commented that he was pleased the Mod 2007 was to be held in Lochaber and hoped that ways and means would be found to involve the rest of the Highlands in the Mod to reflect the year of Highland Culture.

There was circulated report GSC08/05 by the Gaelic Development Officer informing Members on progress with the following:

The Gaelic Development Officer informed the meeting that the Lochaber Area Manager had been invited to give a presentation on the work of the Gaelic Names Liaison Committee to the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group for Gaelic. The Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellowship had received additional funding to allow it to continue for a further two years and work in schools on radio broadcasting would be considered as part of the Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellowship job description for the next two years.

In relation to the progress of the Gaelic Bill, the Vice-Convener expressed concern at the difficulties that had been faced when lodging the four amendments proposed by the Council, and it was AGREED that:

1. the Council’s Legal Service give advice on how the wording of the phrase being added to the Bill, ‘Gaelic, as an official language of Scotland, commands equal respect to the English language’ compared with other phrases, such as ‘equal status’ or ‘equal validity’;
2. it was vital and essential that Education was a major strategic component of the National Gaelic Language Strategy within the Draft Bill; and
3. a briefing paper be prepared to help Members to lobby MSPs and other relevant people on the need for a statement on a National Strategy for Gaelic Education in the Bill.

There was circulated report GSC09/05 by the Director of Education informing Members that the Highland Council Gaelic Language and Culture Plan, which was adopted by the Council in November 2004, set out a number of development priorities in order to establish a more coherent Gaelic Development Plan throughout the Education, Culture and Sport Service.

Members NOTED the Gaelic Community Learning and Development Plan and, following discussion, AGREED that:

1. improvement was needed in the provision of Gaelic literature in libraries, especially for older children and adults;
2. specific and tangible targets be set within the Development Plan; and
3. it was important that Gaelic be introduced into English-medium primary schools, especially those where Gaelic was available in associated secondary schools.

There was circulated report GSC10/05 by the Lochaber Area Manager developing the approach to the use of the Gaelic language that was approved at the last meeting of the Committee by considering types of publications and signs, and recommending the principles to be followed for each.

The Skye and Lochalsh Area Manager summarised the requirements of the proposed new policy and explained that advice and support for staff would be essential. The proposed policy would meet the requirements of both the EU Charter for Minority Languages and the Draft Gaelic Language Bill.

During discussion, Members made the following points:

The Committee AGREED to recommend that:

1. the need for Council officials to observe and adhere to the existing Council policy in relation to the use of Gaelic, be emphasised once more;
2. consideration be given to the basis on which existing Gaelic versions of place names were used;
3. the proposed policy on the use of Gaelic in Council publications and on signs be implemented; and
4. an Area be permitted to exercise discretion in implementing the parts of the policy relating to road, street and building signs, for the sole reason that it was felt that the cultural history of the Area had less of a Gaelic base.