Minutes of Meeting of the Gaelic Select Committee held in Committee Room 1, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 2 November 2006 at 2:00pm.
Present
Mr H Fraser
Mr A Anderson
Mrs J Urquhart
Mr I MacDonald
Mrs I Campbell
Mr J T MacDonald
Mr R Balfour
Mrs S Slimon
Dr M E M Foxley
Officials in attendance:
Mr J MacDonald, Area Manager, Skye and Lochalsh
Mr J Hutchison, Area Manager, Lochaber
Mr D MacDonald, Head of Education Services
Ms M A MacLeod, Gaelic Development Officer
Mr D J MacLeod, Quality Development Officer (Gaelic)
Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Corporate Services
Miss V Rushton, Administrative Assistant, Corporate Services
Ms M Stewart, Researcher
Mr J Galloway, Researcher
Mr H Fraser in the Chair
Preliminaries
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence had been submitted on behalf of Mrs M Paterson and Mr D Miller.
2. Gaelic in the Home and the Community
There had been circulated Report No gsc 19/06 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, informing Members of the recently completed research projects that focused on Gaelic, including a survey into the linguistic backgrounds of pupils in Gaelic medium primary education and two projects on Gaelic in the home and community which were commissioned by the Council with financial support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Copies of Appendix 3 were also circulated.
The survey included those schools that provided Gaelic medium education and asked teachers to report on the home linguistic backgrounds of their students, and pupils in primary 4-7 to complete a questionnaire on their use of, and attitude towards, Gaelic. Although almost 60% of Gaelic medium pupils did not have a Gaelic speaking parent in the home, the response from pupils portrayed a positive attitude towards Gaelic.
‘Gaelic in the Home and Family’ had involved gathering information on the Gaelic language from parents, those pupils in Gaelic medium education and those who had completed their education through Gaelic medium. Assessment was made on their views of Gaelic; its use and applicability; educational abilities and whether those who had been educated through the medium of Gaelic would consider sending their children to a school with a Gaelic Department. Statistical analysis was provided to Members and it was highlighted that further research could be undertaken to look at the views of those who had had a Gaelic medium education but had now moved away from Gaelic speaking areas.
The second project, ‘Gaelic in the Community’, provided a detailed assessment of Gaelic opportunities outside of the classroom in each location where there was a primary school with a Gaelic department. The provision of opportunities such as play group provision, social and recreational activities, parental support, and Gaelic signage where assessed and presented in detail. Overall, the research identified that although there were a variety of different levels of support across the areas, more support should be given. However, in most areas there was a problem of recruitment of Gaelic speaking leaders for play/youth groups as many Gaelic speaking residents were already actively involved in community activities promoting the use of Gaelic.
Members welcomed both projects as informative and numerically useful and felt that they confirmed what had been previously thought regarding Gaelic in the Home and Community. In order to sustain and allow a language to grow, it was important to strengthen the use of and attitude towards Gaelic outside of the classroom and raise the profile of Gaelic. It was also felt that organisations who received funding from the Council should be encouraged to incorporate the Gaelic language into their work.
The Select Committee NOTED the contents of the research projects and AGREED the following arising form the report:
(i) the linguistic backgrounds, patterns of language usage and the attitude to
Gaelic of pupils in Gaelic medium education be monitored regularly;
(ii) promotional material be produced aimed at parents and young
‘prospective parents’;
(iii) two pilot ‘Gaelic in the Home’ projects be set up to try out various
approaches;
(iv) high quality CDs and DVDs be commissioned for use by parents in the
home;
(v) high-profile Gaelic speakers be encouraged to help to promote good
news regarding Gaelic and the employment prospects of being a Gaelic speaker;
(vi) research should continue into the factors inhibiting fuller use of Gaelic in the home;
(vii) a short life pilot project be established in two areas – or more, if funds
were available - with the aim of trying out different approaches to
enhancing the Gaelic dimension in communities with Gaelic Medium Education; and
(viii) to recommend a report be submitted to a future Education Culture and
Sport Committee regarding Grant Aid, ensuring there were conditions
regarding the use of the Gaelic language particularly for organisations
such as museums and other cultural establishments receiving Council funds.
3. Draft National Plan for Gaelic and Guidance on Gaelic Language Plans
Dr M Foxley declared a non-financial interest in items 3 and 4 as a Member of Bòrd na Gàidhlig and remained in the room.
There had been circulated Report No gsc 20/06 by the Gaelic Development Officer which informed Members of the Council’s response to the draft National Plan for Gaelic. Members welcomed the two draft documents produced by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, which focused on Gaelic in the home, community and workplace. The Council response stressed the importance of Gaelic in the home and the community as referred to earlier in the meeting.
The Select Committee AGREED the proposed reply to the questions set by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and welcomed the clear focus on Gaelic in the home and community throughout the response.
4. Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005
There had been circulated Report No gsc 21/06 by the Area Manager, Skye and Lochalsh which informed Members of the requirement to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan by 1 October 2007.
The Council was in the first group of public authorities, identified by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan. The Gaelic Language and Culture Plan, published by the Council in May 2005, already contained many of the objectives in the draft documentation and therefore much of the ground work for the draft plan had already been undertaken. Members were informed that a draft plan would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee in January 2007. In the interim, it was proposed that informal meetings be held between the Area Manager, Skye and Lochalsh, the Chairmen of Gaelic Select and Education, Culture and Sport Committees, along with the Vice-Convener.
The Select Committee NOTED that the Council had been selected to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan as one of the first group of public authorities required to do so, and AGREED:
i. to seek an early discussion with Bòrd na Gaidhlig to discuss the process and
the content of the plan;
ii. a draft plan be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee in January 2007; and
iii. in the interim, the Area Manager, Skye and Lochalsh, hold informal meetings
with the Chairmen of Gaelic Select and Education, Culture and Sport
Committee along with the Vice-Convenor to discuss the draft plan.
5. Update Report
There had been circulated Report No gsc 22/06 by the Gaelic Development Officer informing Members of the progress of the following issues:
· Gaelic Language Training Course;
· Gaelic Media Service;
· Royal National Mod;
· Màiri Mhòr Gaelic Song Scholarship;
· Leabhar nan Gàidheal Òlga’ (Young People’s Book)
· Ainmean Àite Alba (Place-names of Scotland); and
· Lairg Gaelic Choir.
It was highlighted to Members that Ainmean Àite na h-Alba was to be formally launched at the Scottish Parliament on 28 November 2006 and would produce a leaflet outlining the aims of the organisation, a database of Gaelic place-names and a website. Members welcomed the use of Gaelic that had appeared on some Supermarket signs and hoped more shops would be encouraged to do so.
Following an update on the Mod events, it was explained that the Mod Company were at present considering the location of the Mod in 2010, which was to be held in the Highlands. Members felt that Fort William, Inverness, Aviemore, or Portree (following the completion of the High School) were all suitable locations that should be considered. It was also felt that localised Mods should be further supported and the co-ordination of local Mod events should be encouraged.
Comment was made that the number of fringe events such as art exhibitions and debating sessions were not as common at Mod events as had been seen in previous years. It was hoped that a diverse range of fringe activities were incorporated into the 2007 Mod in Lochaber. It was noted that the Lochaber Area Manager had an interest as Vice Convener of Mòd Lochabair 2007.
The Select Committee NOTED the work in progress, and AGREED:
i. to write to the Mod Company to discuss a suitable Highland location for the
2010 Royal National Mod;
ii. the development of a wide range of fringe events be encouraged and
supported at the Royal National Mod in Lochaber in 2007; and
iii. to support and encourage the co-ordination of local Mod events;
6. Activity Targets
In concluding the meeting, Members recognised that the next meeting of the Committee in January 2007 was the last meeting during this term of the Council, and the Select Committee AGREED:
i. a report be submitted to the next Committee consolidating Council policy on
Gaelic signage for roads and buildings etc with the report being both a stand
alone document and for inclusion in the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan;
ii. to recommend the submission of a report to ECS confirming policy in relation
to issues such as Gaelic pre-school provision and parental and teacher support; and
iii. to support the retention of a Council Committee dedicated to Gaelic
culture, language, media and education beyond April 2007.
The meeting closed at 3:50pm