Minutes of Meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 13 March 2008 at 10.30 a.m.
Present:
Mr W Fernie, Mr B Gormley, Lady Thurso, Ms K MacNab, Mr D Bremner, Mrs D MacKay, Mrs I Campbell, Dr A Sinclair, Mrs J Urquhart, Ms M Smith, Mrs M E Paterson, Mr C Fraser, Mr A M Millar, Mr E Hunter, Mr D Hendry, Mrs E McAllister, Mrs G Sinclair, Mr R A C Balfour, Mr L Fraser, Ms J Douglas, Dr M E M Foxley, Rev A Glass, Rev D C Meredith, Miss G Slider
Non-Members also present:
Mr G Farlow, Mr D Mackay, Mr J Rosie, Mr G M Smith, Mr R Coghill, Mr D Flear, Mr A I MacKay, Mr J McGillivray, Mr W Ross, Mr R Durham, Mr A Rhind, Mrs A MacLean, Dr D Alston, Mrs I McCallum, Mr W Clark, Mrs M C Davidson, Mrs J Campbell, Mr F D Black, Mr B Murphy
In Attendance:
Mr H Fraser, Director of Education, Culture and Sport
Mr R MacKenzie, Head of Support Services, Education Culture and Sport
Mr I Murray, Head of Community Learning and Leisure, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr B Hemming, Estate Strategy Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr T McCulloch, Quality Improvement Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr G Watson, Community Development Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Ms M Forsyth, Enterprise in Education Development Officer, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr A Clark, Active Schools Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mrs F Hampton, Project Director, Highland 2007
Mr G Bowie, Highland 2007
Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Miss J Maclennan, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Mr W Fernie in the Chair
Business
An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council. All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee.
Preliminaries
Rev A Glass opened the meeting with prayer.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr J MacDonald, Mr H Wood, Mr M Finlayson and Mr A Park.
2. Successes
The Committee NOTED a circulated list of recent successes in the Education, Culture and Sport Service.
3. Revenue Budget 2007/08 - Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No ECS-09-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the Revenue Budget monitoring position for the period 1 April 2007 to 31 January 2008 and which showed a projected overspend of £2.6m. Those pressures having a detrimental impact on the budget, together with the proposed action to address these, were highlighted, particularly in relation to the Additional Support Needs (ASN) sector where an increase in demand for teaching input at specific sites had arisen.
During discussion, the importance of providing adequate Additional Support to those pupils in need was emphasised to avoid discrimination on grounds of cost and to ensure the Council fulfilled its statutory responsibility. Parents also needed information as to what form of Additional Support their children would receive and when and an investigation of the general levels of ASN across Highland was sought. Assurances were given that the Council was not defaulting on its statutory responsibility and cases were looked at on an individual basis. The objective of implementing a system to record pupils with ASN was to modernise its management and to ensure that any future requests for increased provision were properly evidenced.
The Committee NOTED:-
i. the potential emerging budget pressures in relation to the achievement
of the 2007-08 general budget savings target and those schools that
might exceed the 3% deficit parameter;
ii. the actions being taken in relation to the annual measurement of the
Additional Support Needs client group;
and AGREED:-
iii. the continuing policy of financial constraint and the identification of off-
setting savings; and
iv. that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Education, Culture
and Sport Committee on the level of Additional Support that was available
to children and young adults who required such support.
4. Capital Expenditure 2007/08 – Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No ECS-10-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on Capital Expenditure in the Education, Culture and Sport Service for the period 1 April 2007 to 31 January 2008 and which included Highland 2007 Year of Culture, progress on the Public, Private Partnership (PPP) schools contracts and information on expenditure on the PPP2 schools’ curricular equipment purchases. There was an overall projected underspend of £6.439m but this related to projects that were either legally committed or approved within the current Capital programme.
Following discussion where Members were provided with additional detail of specific projects, the Committee NOTED:-
i. the position as detailed in the monitoring statement;
and AGREED that:-
ii. a report on the results of the feasibility study, together with the timescale
involved, of the Skye and Lochalsh Archive spoke be reported to an Eilean
a’Cheò Ward business meeting; and
iii. the Badenoch and Strathspey Ward Members be kept informed of progress
in relation to the Aviemore Primary School replacement.
5. Capital Investment – Strategic Planning Model
There had been circulated Report No ECS-11-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport outlining an approach to future Capital investment planning in the schools sector taking into account factors such as school building condition, recent Capital expenditure, placing requests, school capacity and the 10 year projected school roll figure. The Model also had the potential to be used for aspects of community planning decisions and presented to Members at Ward level. Members were asked to consider the strategic model and approve its use for future Capital investment and work-force planning within the schools sector.
Members commented that ensuring the accuracy of the collected data was vital and this could be achieved by submitting information to Ward Business meetings. The model also required to take into account other factors, such as the level of Capital Receipts that could be generated where schools amalgamated and the distance from other neighbouring schools, so reasoned and informed decision could be made.
Concern was expressed that the model would discriminate schools in rural areas such as Wick High School where the roll had been declining but which, it was argued, was in need of urgent attention particularly bearing in mind the socio-economic issues of the area. However, the model would provide better quality information not only on building condition but on levels of staffing allowing improved projections to be made. Although questions were raised on other specific schools, including the current position in regard to the provision of the new school in Conon Bridge, the model would provide a fair pan-Highland approach.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. the development of the model as the basis for future decision making in the
school estate including decisions relating to Capital investment, asset
management planning, workforce planning and community planning;
ii. that as information was collated on a Ward level, information be supplied to
Ward Business meetings, in confidence, to check its accuracy;
iii. that the strategic model take into account distance from neighbouring
schools and the potential capital receipts that could be achieved where
replacement was being considered;
iv. the related protocols that would ensure the on-going integrity of the
model and provide a framework for accountability;
v. the governance arrangements as detailed in the report; and
vi. the Director of Education, Culture and Sport write to Maryburgh and Conon
Bridge Community Councils and Parent Forums to inform them of the
current position in relation to the provision of a new amalgamated school in
Conon Bridge.
6. Active Schools (Sgoiltean Beothail)
There had been circulated Report No ECS-12-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport regarding a proposal to restructure Active School staffing to meet the expected income grant from sportscotland while maintaining the current financial contribution from Highland Council. The report also sought approval of the grant offer of funding from sportscotland to Highland Council for Active Schools for the 2008-2011 period and highlighted the work of the Active Schools Co-ordinators following a very successful first four years of a funding partnership to develop opportunities for young people to be physically active, take part in sport and live healthier lifestyles in all areas of Highland.
The success of the Active Schools programme was warmly welcomed by Members However, with no increase in the funding from sportscotland, £165,000 would be required from Highland Council to maintain the current level of Active Schools staffing provision and to avoid pressure on existing resources and further compounding the loss of the Play Development Officer post in encouraging children to be active.
Mr W Fernie, seconded by Mr D Hendry MOVED approval of the recommendations of the report.
As an AMENDMENT, Mrs E McAllister, seconded by Mrs D MacKay, moved that, in the interests of the health, fitness and well-being of Highland children, the current structure be retained with the implementation of the £165,000 that was required over the three year period.
On a vote being taken, the MOTION received 10 votes and the AMENDMENT received 5 votes and the MOTION was therefore CARRIED - the votes having been cast as follows:-
For the MOTION:-
Mr W Fernie, Dr A Sinclair, Ms M Smith, Mrs M E Paterson, Mr E Hunter, Mr D Hendry, Mr L Fraser, Mr B Gormley, Rev D C Meredith, Miss G Slider
For the AMENDMENT:-
Lady M Thurso, Mrs D Mackay, Mr A M Millar, Mrs E McAllister, Mrs G Sinclair
The Committee NOTED the successes of Active Schools in its first three years and AGREED:-
i. the suggested restructuring alterations to:
- combine 19 of the full time Active Schools (primary) posts to include the
one day a week secondary provision in their remit
- retain 5 one day a week Active Schools posts for Lochaber High School,
Wick High School, Thurso High School, Dingwall Academy and Portree
High School
- create an Active Schools (secondary) post to cover the Inverness
secondary schools
ii. to accept the offer of funding from sportscotland for the next three years.
7. Healthy Living Centres – Funding Update
There had been circulated Report No. ECS-13-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport updating Members on the funding issues relating to Healthy Living Centres. In particular, Members were informed that one off, one year funding had been made to provide time for Healthy Living Centres to discuss longer term solutions with Health Boards and partners.
The Committee AGREED that the Education, Culture and Sport Service:-
i. continued to act on behalf of the Janny’s House and Healthways in
discussions with NHS Highland in order to ensure the speedy allocation of
funds for the one year transitionary fund;
ii. pursued longer term funding discussion with NHS Highland colleagues; and
iii. continued with Big Lottery applications on behalf of both Healthy Living
Centres as part of this process.
8. Homecoming Scotland
There had been circulated Report No. ECS-14-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport outlining current plans to contribute to the potential for the Highlands to benefit from the Homecoming Scotland celebrations in 2009. Homecoming Scotland had received twenty applications for events to be hosted within the Highlands and it was important to ensure the initiative was not concentrated in the central belt. Although the deadline for national funding had now closed the Council’s budget allocation for cultural events and festivals could be used to assist local projects.
It was also felt that the Council should project a positive message regarding the benefits to the Highlands from the 2009 Homecoming event.
The Committee NOTED:-
i. the main elements of the 2009 Homecoming Scotland project and the
current activity underway in developing plans for participation in the
celebrations within the Highlands;
ii. the partnership meeting with partners to discuss a longer term legacy
arising from Highland 2007;
and AGREED:-
iii. a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee on
the proposals for continuing partnership arrangements arising from Highland
2007.
9. Library Service – Developing Cancer Information and Support Services
There had been circulated Report No ECS-15-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport describing a proposed partnership between the Library Service, NHS Highland and Macmillan Cancer Care to support the provision of Cancer Care Services and information. It also related to the Programme for Administration objective to work in partnership with NHS Highland to agree new management and service arrangements to meet the health and caring needs of the population.
The Committee AGREED the proposed pilot partnership at Fort William library with NHS Highland and Macmillan Cancer Care.
10. Work Related Learning Policy
There had been circulated Report No ECS-16-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport informing Members of current developments in relation to work related learning in Highland Schools and its importance within “A Curriculum for Excellence” and a “Skills Strategy for Scotland”, as published by the Scottish Government in September 2007. The report related to the increasing development of courses in secondary schools which would contribute to the Programme for Administration commitment to continue to develop partnerships with Colleges, Work Experience providers and Careers Scotland, employers and businesses.
Given the significantly increasing growth of work related learning as part of the closer collaboration between school education and employment and further and higher education and training, including college provision, the Committee APPROVED the policy and AGREED:-
i. the policy and related guidance be issued to schools and partner
organisations as interim guidance; and
ii. that the policy and guidance be subject to regular review.
11. Commonwealth Games Consultation
There had been circulated Report No ECS-17-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport seeking approval for the Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the legacy of the Commonwealth Games to be remitted to the Sport and Activity Working Group.
The Committee AGREED that the Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the legacy of the Commonwealth Games be remitted to the Sport and Activity Working Group.
12. Minutes of Meetings
There had been circulated and NOTED the Minutes of the Education Transport Appeals Committee held on 15 January 2008.
The meeting ended at 1.05 p.m.