Minutes of Meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 12 March 2009 at 10.30 a.m.
Present
Mr W Fernie, Mr A M Millar, Ms L Munro, Ms K MacNab, Mrs D MacKay, Mrs I Campbell, Dr A Sinclair, Mrs J Urquhart, Mr M Finlayson, Ms M Smith, Mrs M E Paterson, Mr C Fraser, Mr E Hunter, Mr D Hendry, Mrs E McAllister, Mr K MacLeod, Mr R A C Balfour, Mr L Fraser, Mr A S Park, Ms J Douglas, Dr M E M Foxleym Mr B Gormley, Rev D C Meredith, Miss C Burns
Non-Members also present:
Mr D Mackay, Mr J Rosie, Mr G Smith, Mr R Coghill, Mr J McGillivray, Mr R Durham
Mrs A MacLean, Dr D Alston, Mrs I McCallum, Mr A Henderson, Mrs H Carmichael
Mrs P Munro, Mrs G Sinclair, Mrs L MacDonald, Mr D Fallows, Mr R Pederson
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
Mrs B Dunthorne, Finance Manager, Finance Service
Mr B Hemming, Estate Strategy Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr J Warde, Principal Facilities Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mrs J Graham, External Funding Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mrs N Murray, Catering and Cleaning Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Ms L Young, Senior Education Officer, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr R Campbell, Principal Projects Manager, Housing and Property Service
Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Miss J Maclennan, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Also in Attendance:
Ms F Hampton, Director, Highland 2007
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 D Meredith opened the meeting with prayer.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Lady Thurso and Rev A Glass.
2. Successes
The Committee NOTED a circulated list of recent successes in the Education, Culture and Sport Service including a DVD shown of a news item regarding the Service’s Cyber Safety campaign for school pupils.
The Director of Education, Culture and Sport also informed Members of the current position at Nairn Academy where, following recent roofing work, some low level asbestos and cement dust had been disturbed. Advice from the Health and Safety Executive had been sought and their recommendations followed. Although technical tests had confirmed that there was no health risk, education had been disrupted but alternative arrangements had been made and the school would re-open as normal following the Easter holiday. Parents were being provided with up-to-date information and remedial action had been taken to ensure that there would be no re-occurrence of events.
The Committee AGREED to express their appreciation to the Head Teacher of Nairn Academy, his staff and Council staff who had worked particularly hard to return the school to normal working hours as soon as possible.
3a. Revenue Budget Monitoring 2008/09 – Updated Statement
As a result of developments in relation to the savings target for the 2008/09 Revenue Budget, Report No ECS-7a-09 was tabled by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing an update on the projected year-end position. It was explained that alternative compensatory savings had been sought to off-set budget pressures not included in the previously reported deficit figure but it had become clear that the main elements for reducing these further pressures might not now be met. The pressures included the non achievement of energy savings and delays encountered in the administrative and clerical reviews as well as in the cessation of school holiday cleaning. Work would continue to reduce the overspend but it was recommended that a supplementary estimate of £2.154m be submitted, in accordance with Council procedures, to the Resources Committee. It was confirmed that this was a one-off situation and that the supplementary estimate would not result in a deficit being carried forward into 2009/10.
The Committee AGREED to submit a supplementary estimate of £2.154m to the Resources Committee on 15 April 2009.
3. Revenue Budget 2008/09 – Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No ECS-7-09 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the Revenue Budget monitoring position for the period 1 April 2008 to 31 January 2009 and a request for a grant to support the attendance of the Highland Disability Sports Team at the Special Olympics National Summer Games in Leicester. The report highlighted a projected overspend of £989,000 and further information was provided on the main budget pressures. In relation to the Devolved School Management budget, it was reported that eight schools had estimated staffing overspends but a system was in place to identify the budgeted staffing entitlement for each school as at August 2009 to allow actual teaching staff numbers to be adjusted to the budgeted entitlement level.
Additional information was sought on the schools where there would be movement of teaching staff, including support staff and children services workers, and on the impact these movements would have bearing in mind the budget cuts already agreed by the Highland Council. Such movements of staff could cause concern to parents and advance information would help Local Members address this. Members were assured that when considering staff deployment Head Teachers were involved to ensure appropriate school staffing profiles were achieved.
The Committee NOTED the budget pressures outlined in the report and AGREED:-
i. the corrective actions identified;
ii. the award of a one-off grant of £10,000 to Highland Disability Sports to
support participation at the Special Olympics National Summer Games in
Leicester; and
iii. that information be provided to Members at Ward level of the movements
of staff in and out of schools, arising from the school staff entitlement
exercise.
4. Capital Expenditure 2008/09 - Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No ECS-8-09 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing detail of the actual net expenditure position for the period 1 April 2008 to 31 January 2009 and the projected year–end estimates based on the current approved Education, Culture and Sport Capital Programme. At present, a projected underspend of £801,000 was anticipated. Information was also provided on the approved projects at Lochaber High School, Nairn Academy and Grantown Grammar School, a procurement framework agreement for Science Laboratory/Home Economics upgrades and the proposed inclusion of the Fort William Tailrace Project into the Education, Culture and Sport Capital Programme.
Following questioning on the timetabling and detail of specific projects, Members welcomed the positive effect modular construction could have on the programme. Work was continuing to ensure sustainability and environmental credentials of such modular construction techniques. Particular mention was made of the proposed Fort William Tailrace Project and, while welcoming the economic benefits it would generate, it was essential that the operators of the Alcan smelter were reassured that there would be no negative effect on their hydro scheme. It would also be beneficial for British Waterways to be involved in discussions at an early stage.
The Committee NOTED the report and AGREED:-
i. the developments at Grantown Grammar and Nairn Academy and the
budget allocation as set out;
ii. the refurbishment of the remaining Science Laboratories at Wick High
School;
iii. the introduction in principle of the Fort William Tailrace Project to the
Capital Programme;
iv. that in the proposed development of the Fort William Tailrace Project,
British Waterways Scotland be included in discussions;
v. the granting of a one-off capital contribution of £250,000 to the
Engineering Skills Centre for Highlands and Islands subject to a detailed
agreement on levels of availability to Highland Council school students
being agreed between the Education, Culture and Sport Service and
management of North Highland College; and
vi. a presentation be made to a future Committee on the various types of
modular construction methods available.
5. Healthy Living Centres
It was confirmed that, on 23 February 2009, Shona Robison, the Public Health Minister, had announced an extension to the transition fund set up in 2008 to help keep Healthy Living Centres (HLCs) running whilst finalising their long term sustainability plans.
Up to £70,000 was to be provided towards core cost only, per HLC, for 2009/10. The key conditions of the funding stressed that it could only be applied for in cases where there was a likelihood of long term sustainability of projects. Where there was little or no prospect of sustainability, funding could not be allocated. The funding had been allocated for NHS Boards to apply for and NHS Chief Executives were required to confirm that they were confident that the funding criteria had been met for any application. Officials had contacted NHS Highland to discuss funding criteria and to come to a joint decision on whether applications could be made on behalf of either the Janny’s Hoose, Inverness or Healthways, covering Ross and Cromarty. Reluctantly, as neither project looked as if it would be able to attract viable long term sustainable funding, it was anticipated that both projects would cease operating.
The Committee NOTED the position.
6. Village Halls
There had been circulated Report No ECS-9-09 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on progress on the equalisation of funding arrangements for Village Halls. In particular, Members were informed of the developments in relation to the transfer of Council run halls to local communities. With the majority of halls now having steering groups, a series of seminars were to take place to focus on the training and information needs identified.
Although a flexible approach had been taken in relation to timescales, some communities were not yet in a position to commit before the end of the financial year and it was suggested that additional information should be provided to communities in regard to the likely costs which might be incurred. Furthermore, many communities would benefit from assurances that training, advisory and administrative support would still be available, not only in the future but also to assist them with the substantial amount of work involved in the transfer of the halls from Council ownership. There were also possible alternative sources of funding available and if Members were kept informed of such opportunities then they would also be in a position to assist communities.
The Committee NOTED the progress to date on the equalisation of funding arrangements for village halls and AGREED:-
i. to reaffirm the Council’s policy on Village Halls;
ii. to examine what support the Council might provide to assist community
groups taking over Village Halls; and
iii. that Councillors be provided with information as to possible sources of
funding that might be available for these groups.
7. Charging for Council Community Facilities and Community Managed Facilities in Schools and Leisure and Community Centres
Declarations of Interest:
Mrs P Munro declared a non-financial interest in this item as a member of the Charleston Academy Community Complex Management Committee but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that her interest did not preclude her involvement in discussion.
Mr A Henderson declared a non-financial interest in this item as a member of Feis Lochabair but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in discussion.
There had been circulated Report No ECS-10-09 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport seeking to harmonise scales of charges for public use of the Council’s community facilities and also facilities in schools, leisure and community centres managed by communities. However, since the report had been prepared, it had come to light that the Fèisean movement, who used schools during holidays to provide musical tuition, would be penalised by the proposals and, in recognising their contribution to the culture of the Highlands, it was proposed that, in such instances, the application of charges for holiday based programmes should be considered on an individual basis.
The flexibility to allow charges for facilities to be varied, up to the target price level, by voluntary management committees was welcomed. However, concern was expressed that some groups had been unaware of the proposals and this highlighted a need for improved communication. It was also important that the revised charging structure did not have a negative impact on youth work services, particularly those carried out by external organisations and in those areas where this was the only type of youth work provision available.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. the target prices as detailed in the report;
ii. that where the difference between the current and proposed prices was
greater than 5%, increases be staged over two or more years;
iii. to equalise charges to community facilities and community use of school
facilities by introducing the same charges in both school and community
venues for youth groups and others providing activities for young people;
iv. that school facilities with prices set by the Community Management
Committees and grant-aided facilities be required to cap prices at a
maximum of the target price level or at the current level if greater;
v. the booking policy and prices for Badaguish Lodges as detailed in the
report;
vi. that, in future years, the Director of Education, Culture and Sport
maintain delegated authority to vary prices by the rate of inflation and
target prices be consequently adjusted;
vii. that the impact on youth work carried out by external agencies should
be examined; and
viii. that the application of the charges for holiday based programmes run by
the voluntary sector, such as the Feis, be considered on a case-by-case
basis.
8. Inverness Leisure Business Plan 2009/10-2011/12
Declaration of Interest:
Mrs P Munro declared a non-financial interest in this item as a member of the Board of Trustees of Inverness Leisure but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that her interest did not preclude her involvement in discussion.
There had been circulated Report No ECS-11-09 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport setting out the business plan and management fee for Inverness Leisure and proposing that part of next year’s management fee be provided in advance for cash-flow reasons related to the fire insurance claim.
Having congratulated the management of Inverness Leisure on their excellent work, and in recognising the increase of its customer base, the Committee AGREED:-
i. to endorse the principle of the revised Inverness Leisure Business Plan for
2009/10-2011/12 as detailed in the report;
ii. to homologate the decision for the early release of £185,000 of them
management fee for 2009/10 to allow Inverness Leisure to continue to
operate until the fire insurance payments were made;
iii. that the management fee be set at £1m for financial year 2009/10; and
iv. that, in future years, account be taken of the impact of inflation
9. School Meals Uptake
There had been circulated Report No ECS-12-09 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport summarising the reasons affecting the overall drop in school meal uptake in the current financial year, specifically in the Secondary School sector, and the actions being proposed. An update was also provided on progress to form a short term Working Group to look at mobile vendors in the vicinity of school campuses with recommendations being reported back to the Committee.
During discussion of the various factors affecting the uptake of school meals, the possibility of exploring licensing measures to control mobile food vendors near schools was suggested. In addition, it was also suggested that the membership of the Working Group should be broadened to incorporate the views of the Youth Convener, Elected Members and pupil and parent representatives. The guidelines associated with the Schools (Health Promotion & Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 had also inadvertently impacted on the availability of snacks in some schools, resulting in a knock-on effect on the educational and social aspects previously associated with “tuck” trolleys etc. However, the promotion of healthy eating through initiatives such as Breakfast Clubs was welcomed and information was provided as to possible sources of funding which might be available.
The Committee NOTED:-
i. the reasons affecting the drop in uptake in school meals and background
information supporting the findings;
ii. the actions as detailed in the report;
iii. that a future report would be presented to the Education, Culture and
Sport Committee in Autumn 2009;
and AGREED:-
iv. the proposals set out in regard to local mobile food and drink retailers,
including the setting up of a short life Working Group, including the Youth
Convener, Elected Members and pupil and parent representatives;
v. that the Council should simultaneously conduct a review of licensing policy
with a view to establishing possible licensing controls over mobile vendors
operating near schools; and
vi. that a report should be submitted to a future meeting on the guidelines
surrounding the provision of healthy snacks in schools.
10. Events and Festivals Strategy for the Highlands – 2009 to 2012
There had been circulated Report No ECS-13-09 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport presenting a proposed Events and Festivals Strategy for the Highlands of Scotland for the period 2009 to 2012. The aims of the Strategy included working together with event and festival promoters to co-ordinate efforts, both nationally and locally, as well as proactively identifying and securing additional events to enhance the area’s existing calendar.
During discussion, concern was expressed that Homecoming Scotland was being promoted predominantly inwardly by EventScotland and, if visitors were to be encouraged to the Highlands, greater input into EventScotland’s marketing was required. A more proactive approach overall was called for and some felt it was essential to identify how the increase of promotion and development of Highland events, festivals and cultural activity would be financed.
Thereafter, the Chairman, seconded by the Vice Chairman, MOVED the recommendation that the proposed Events and Festivals Strategy for the Highlands of Scotland for the period 2009 to 2012 be approved.
As an AMENDMENT, Mrs J Urquhart, seconded by Mr D Hendry, moved that the Events and Festivals Strategy be approved but that it be accompanied by a budget to support the aims and ambitions of the Strategy.
On a vote being taken the MOTION received 13 votes and the AMENDMENT received 4 votes and the MOTION was therefore CARRIED – the votes having been cast as follows:-
For the Motion:-
- Mrs L Munro
- Mr W Fernie
- Mrs D Mackay
- Mrs I Campbell
- Dr A Sinclair
- Mr A M Millar
- Mr E Hunter
- Mrs E McAllister
- Mr K MacLeod
- Mr R A C Balfour
- Mr L Fraser
- Ms J Douglas
- Dr M E M Foxley
For the Amendment:-
- Mrs J Urquhart
- Mr C Fraser
- Mr D Hendry
- Mr B Gormley
Abstentions:-
11. Highland Institute of Sport - Representation
It was confirmed that the Highland Institute for Sport, one of six area institutes within Scotland which provided a variety of support services for 28 performance athletes for 8 sports and had facilities throughout the region (with many local partners providing support) had asked that the Council appoint one representative to their Board.
The Committee AGREED that Mr A M Millar be appointed to the Highland Institute of Sport Board.
It was also AGREED that a request should be made to the Board for increased Council representation and, in the event of this being granted, that Mr B Gormley should be the additional Council representative on the Board.
12. Minutes of Meeting
The Committee dealt with the following Minutes of Meetings, copies of which had been circulated, as follows:-
i. NOTED the Education Transport Appeals Committee held on 13 January
2009; and
ii. APPROVED the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff
held on 10 February 2009.
The meeting ended at 1.55 pm