Minutes of Meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 21 May 2009 at 10.30 a.m.
Present
Mr W Fernie, Mr A M Millar, Ms L Munro, Lady M Thurso, 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 E Hunter, Mr D Hendry, Mr H Wood, Mrs E McAllister, Mr K MacLeod, Mr R A C Balfour, Mr L Fraser, Ms J Douglas, Dr M E M Foxley, Mr B Gormley, Rev D C Meredith, Miss C Burns
Non-Members also present:
Mr J Rosie, Mr G Smith, Mr D Flear, Mr J McGillivray, Mr W Ross, Mr P Cairns, Mrs A MacLean, Dr D Alston, Mrs I McCallum, Mr H Fraser, Mr J Laing, Mr B Clark, Mrs M C Davidson, Mrs G Sinclair, Mr D Fallows, Mr B Murphy
In Attendance:
Mr H Fraser, Director of Education, Culture and Sport
Mr B Alexander, Head of Children’s Services, Social Work Service
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 J Menabney, Principal Cultural Officer, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr R Campbell, Principal Projects Manager, Housing and Property Service
Mrs B Dunthorne, Finance Manager, Finance Service
Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Miss J Maclennan, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Mrs R Daly, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Also in Attendance:
Mr M Finnegan, Managing Director, Caledonian Economics Limited
Mr F Newall, Associate, Caledonian Economics Limited
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.
The Chairman informed Members that this was Rev Meredith’s last meeting as the Free Church of Scotland’s representative on the Committee and thanked him for his contribution over the previous two years.
The Chairman also confirmed that this would be the last meeting attended by Mr John Allison, Principal Administrator, who was to leave the Council’s service on 26 June 2009, and expressed appreciation for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee. Mr Allison responded accordingly.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr C Fraser, Mr A S Park (OCD), Rev A Glass and Rev D Kay.
2. Successes
The Committee NOTED a circulated list of recent successes in the Education, Culture and Sport Service.
It was also AGREED to write to congratulate the North of Scotland Under 15s in winning the Scottish Schools’ Football Association National Trophy.
3. Revenue Budget 2009/10 – Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No ECS-14-09 dated 5 May 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the Revenue Budget monitoring position for the period 1 April 2009 to 30 April 2009 and the progress to date with the achievement of the residual 2008/09 and 2009/10 savings targets. It was too early in the current financial year to provide any meaningful year end information for 2009/10 but information on the outturn for 2008/09 would be reported to the next meeting.
In relation to budget pressures, an issue had arisen in relation to the rates payable for the new PPP2 schools in that it appeared that the figure provided by consultants was too low, the rateable value for each of the new schools having being notified to the Service by the Assessor in March 2009. Investigations were taking place as to the advice provided by the external advisers and discussions were underway with the Assessor to determine the reasons for the rateable values for the new schools nearly doubling. Further information would be submitted to the next meeting on the progress made in relation to the proposed actions.
During discussion, information was sought as to the consultants involved in providing the advice on the rateable value. The effect on future revenue budgets was also acknowledged and it was suggested that a review of consultants employed by the Council should be undertaken to ensure that future briefs addressed issues such as liability.
Thereafter, the Committee NOTED:-
i. the potential budget pressures identified in the report;
ii. the progress to date with the achievement of the residual 2008/09 and
2009/10 savings targets; and
iii. in relation to the 2009/10 budget which had been set for rates for the
new PPP2 schools, that information would be submitted to the next
meeting to advise of the outcome of the actions proposed to address the
potential annual shortfall;
AGREED:-
iv. that information should be provided to Ms M Smith in relation to the
external advisors who had provided the information on which the budget
had been set; and
v. that a review of consultants employed by the Council should be
undertaken to ensure that future briefs covered issues such as liabilities.
4. Capital Expenditure 2009/10 - Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No ECS-15-09 dated 12 May 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport setting out the current position of the 2009/10 Capital Programme as at 30 April 2009 pending the closing of the 2008/09 year end capital accounts. At present, it was too early in the current financial year to accurately predict a year-end outturn but Members were informed that the 2009/10 outturn showed an underspend of £175,000 which was a significant improvement on the previous year. In addition, £800,000 of capital spend, previously allocated to future years, had been brought forward to accelerate projects.
The Committee were also advised as to how areas of potential slippage would be addressed.
Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the terms of the report as circulated.
5. Maryburgh and Conon Bridge Primary Schools – Options Appraisal
There had been circulated Report No ECS-16-09 dated 27 April 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing details on the option appraisal exercise carried out by Caledonian Economics Limited in relation to the future provision of Pre School and Primary School education in Conon Bridge and Maryburgh.
A presentation was undertaken at the meeting by Caledonian Economics Limited setting out the methodology adopted in the Options Appraisal. Particular aspects that had been taken into account were detailed, namely Learning and Teaching, Added Value, Pupil Entitlement and specific Council and local factors. The aim was to provide a quantitative and qualitative view and, having considered all factors, the findings showed that a combined school had a higher value for money rating.
Thereafter, the Chairman advised that a submission had been received from Maryburgh Community Council and this, along with the Council’s response, had been tabled. The Director also confirmed that all questions raised by the Community Council had been fully addressed.
During discussion, the views of Local Members were heard. In this regard, the sentiments of the Maryburgh community were appreciated and tribute was paid to the manner in which they had made the case for the retention of their school. However, in requesting an options appraisal to determine best value, Local Members had given an undertaking to accept the findings of independent consultants. It was also accepted that further delay would endanger a new build and the ultimate objective had to be to ensure that pupils had the best education and facilities available.
Also, in recognising that a major concern was road safety, particularly for children living in Maryburgh, a request was made that a Safe Route to School Assessment be carried out as soon as possible to ensure improvements were in place prior to work commencing on the new build.
Thereafter, the Committee AGREED:-
i. that, on the basis of the findings contained within the options appraisal
report produced by Caledonian Economics Limited, a new amalgamated
school for the communities of Conon Bridge and Maryburgh should be built
on the site of the existing Conon Bridge Primary School as agreed by the
Highland Council in 2005 following statutory consultation; and
ii. that work be undertaken as soon as possible to address the issues raised in
relation to Safe Routes to Schools.
6. Development of the Education, Culture and Sport Estate Strategy
There had been circulated Report No ECS-17-09 dated 17 March 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport outlining a proposal for taking forward the future development of the Education, Culture and Sport (ECS) Estate on an integrated basis, taking into account both educational and community requirements and providing a rationale for investment in the medium to long term.
In recognising the need to emphasise that school buildings could be assets for the whole community, the importance of engaging and encouraging potential stakeholders at the outset was stressed. It was also recognised that it was important to move forward with projects as quickly as possible and, in order to do so, other funding mechanisms and possible alternative partnership arrangements should be considered. Support was given to the innovative construction procurement proposal and it was hoped that this would also provide an opportunity to encompass “green” solutions and energy saving measures.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. that the next phase of the Education, Culture and Sport Estate Strategy
should focus on reporting options for co-located educational and
community facilities within the larger centres of population with the initial
focus on the Greater Fort William area, followed by Wick, Thurso, Golspie,
Tain, Invergordon and Alness;
ii. that the decision making process should be informed by the creation of a
transferable options appraisal template that would be produced in
partnership with external partners during the Greater Fort William project;
iii. the options appraisal timetable as outlined in the report;
iv. the creation of a procurement framework to identify an external partner
to provide “light touch” support for the future option appraisals identified
in the report;
v. that a further report should be brought to the Committee to seek
approval for the template and methodologies created during the Greater
Fort William review to be adopted for future options appraisals, taking into
account future legislative requirements deriving from the current Schools
consultation Bill;
vi. that the timescale for investment should be determined by the availability
of the funding required;
vii. that, in considering innovative construction procurement options, “green”
solutions also be taken into account; and
viii. when taking projects forward, other streams of funding and alternative
methodologies, such as working with external non-profit organisations,
should be investigated.
7. Primary Gaelic Medium Provision in the Glenurquhart Area
Arising from requests from parents, the Director of Education, Culture and Sport recommended that, in terms of the Council’s agreed procedures, a consultation process should commence on providing Gaelic Medium Education in the Glen Urquhart area.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. that a consultation be undertaken on the provision of Gaelic Medium
Education at Glen Urquhart Primary School; and
ii. in order that locally based consultation could commence, consultation
papers should be drawn up by the Director in consultation with the
Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee and the Chairman of the
Gaelic Committee.
8. Review of Administrative and Clerical Support Staff
There had been circulated Report No ECS-18-09 dated 6 April 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing details of the redesign and implementation phase of the Education, Culture and Sport administrative and clerical review across the Education, Culture and Sport Service. At present, the Service was documenting systems and gathering information but was soon to move towards redesigning and implementation of structures to ensure meaningful points of presence in the areas.
The Committee AGREED the redesign and implementation phases of Education, Culture and Sport administrative and clerical support staff which would result in the creation of new support structures across the Education, Culture and Sport Service.
9. Standards and Quality Report 2008/09
There had been circulated Report No ECS-19-09 dated 21 April 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing an overview of the progress which the Education, Culture and Sport Service had made in achieving its outcomes and improving the Standard and Quality of Education Provision. The report was structured around the current Education, Culture and Sport Service Plan and, in respect of the Service Plan, Service and school self-evaluation, covered the period from the last report in May 2008 up to the present while the section on attainment of schools related primarily to school session 2007/08. A copy of the Standards and Quality Report had been circulated separately and a presentation was made which highlighted specific points of interest.
Amongst points raised in discussion, including the measures proposed to increase attainment of Looked-After Children, was the continuation of the Open University Young Applicants for Schools Scheme. While welcoming its success, assurances were sought that eligible pupils were given the opportunity to participate and that technology was properly resourced. Virtual learning had already proved invaluable in enabling pupils in schools wishing to study courses where no local provision was available and, with the introduction of the Glow project, the Scottish Schools intranet, it was hoped to expand this further.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. the action proposed to seek further improvement in the key identified
areas;
ii. that copies of the Standards and Quality Report be distributed to Parent
Councils, schools and libraries and placed on the Council’s website for
information;
iii. that all S6 pupils in Highland, regardless of geography, should be provided
with the opportunity to participate in the Open University Young
Applicants for School Scheme; and
iv. that the provision of the necessary IT equipment to schools to facilitate
such on-line learning should continue.
10. Education, Culture and Sport Service Plan 2009-2011
There had been circulated Report No ECS-20-09 dated 11 May 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport outlining the proposed objectives and supporting actions which would deliver the Council’s Programme and the statutory and core functions of the Service for the period 2009-2011. A copy of the Draft Education, Culture and Sport Service Plan 2009-2011 had been circulated separately.
Following a presentation on the Plan’s priorities, the Council’s Corporate Parenting responsibilities were discussed. A Corporate Parenting Seminar was to be held on 25 June 2009 and the importance of all Members attending was stressed. Issues surrounding Looked-After Children were explored and it was pointed out that it was important to provide equity of provision for extra curricular activities, such as Feis, to encourage those children with specific talents or skills. An opportunity also existed to rejuvenate partnership working and it was vital that maximum benefit was gained from the Fairer Scotland Fund to consolidate work already underway. The role of Children’s Champions in the process was acknowledged and, if the Council’s commitment of implementing Getting It Right For Every Child in 2009 was to be achieved, this could be taken forward by their involvement in communicating with appropriate officials and Members.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. the Education, Culture and Sport Service Plan for 2009-2011;
ii. that, in relation to the Programme Commitment in the Service Plan to
achieve full implementation of the Scottish Government’s policy of
“Getting It Right For Every Child” which would ensure that children got the
help they needed when they needed it by 2009, the Children’s Champions
should meet with the appropriate Directors and Officers to ascertain the
current position in achieving this target and to consider future actions;
iii. that, with regard to the Council’s Corporate Parenting responsibilities,
investigation should take place to determine how equality of provision of
extra curricular activities for Looked After Children might be achieved;
iv. that the Service should ensure that maximum use was made of the Fairer
Scotland Fund to enhance work already being undertaken in relation to
Looked After Children; and
v. that the importance of attending the Corporate Parenting Seminar on 25
June 2009 should be emphasised to all Members.
11. Curriculum for Excellence Update
There had been circulated Report No ECS-21-09 dated 11 May 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport regarding progress on the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence which represented the most radical educational reform in Scotland for a generation and had major implications in learning and teaching, the curriculum, assessment and qualifications and the continuing professional development of staff.
In recognising the importance of the Curriculum for Excellence, it was suggested that progress reports should become a standing item on future agendas. The opportunities which had arisen from the Curriculum for Excellence were well received and assurances were given that detailed consideration was being given to measures to ensure how best it could be delivered, developed and resourced. Reference was also made to learning in the community and the Cairngorms National Park was particularly keen to become involved and to link into curriculum topics. Parents too needed to be involved as well as the technicians and support staff in schools so that a collegiate approach was achieved.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. that Curriculum for Excellence reports should appear as a standing item on
future agendas of the Committee;
ii. that investigations should be undertaken as to how the Cairngorm National
Park could become involved in developing the curriculum in the local
community;
iii. that parents should be involved in the implementation of the Curriculum for
Excellence; and
iv. that technicians and support staff should be involved in the Working
Groups taking forward the Curriculum for Excellence.
12. Funding of Additional Support for Learners
Declaration of Interest - Mr L Fraser declared a non-financial interest in relation to this item on the grounds of a family connection and, 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 the discussion (and voting).
There had been circulated Report No ECS-22-09 dated 12 May 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport setting out the legislative and policy background to the Council’s provision of Additional Support for Learners. It also gave an overview of the budget and described the factors which drove the allocation of resources and the work done to date to ensure resources were appropriately targeted and managed. In addition, in relation to the savings identified from Additional Support for Learners budgets, it presented information about how the savings measures which were expected to have least impact had been identified, what savings had been implemented and what the impact of those savings measures were thought to have been.
In appreciating the on-going impact that the savings measures would have, it was vital that Children’s Champions were kept informed so that issues could be addressed expediently and situations evaluated. The Highland’s Children Forum had acknowledged the challenges that were to be faced but had asked that certain points be advanced, the details of which were outlined. In so doing, however, it was important to bear in mind the impact measures had on children in mainstream education. Nevertheless, Getting it Right For Every Child had proved an invaluable tool in measuring need and ensuring better allocation thus maximising resources in the long term.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. ongoing consultation with stakeholder groups and individuals about the
pressures on additional support for learning provision;
ii. a major commitment to build on implementation of Getting It Right For
Every Child (GIRFEC) through a review of existing policy and further
training on additional support for learning with schools and partner
agencies;
iii. to use the standard integrated assessment framework to quantify,
aggregate and analyse trends regarding the number of children who
required additional support through education plans and multi-agency plans
in future years;
iv. that, in order to continue the process of evaluation and to monitor
impact, the Children’s Champions be kept informed of developments on a
regular
basis so that they, in turn, could report issues of concern back to officers;
v. that stakeholder engagement include pupils, parents, carers and frontline
staff to develop a genuine understanding of the impact on individual pupils
and the entire school community;
vi. that the implementation of the GIRFEC process should recognise the
particular issues for schools; and
vii. that the trends analysis process should develop a picture of totality of
need across learners in Highland, including any unmet need.
13. Proposed Arts Partnerships
Declaration of Interest - Mrs J Urquhart declared a non-financial interest in relation to this item on the grounds of being a Director of Eden Court and, 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 the discussion (and voting).
There had been circulated Report No ECS-23-09 dated 22 April 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport informing of two proposed partnerships with arts organisations, Eden Court Theatre and the Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists, both aiming to create increased arts provision.
Given the size and importance of the project, a request was made that a presentation on the “Body Currents” project be made to Members.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the award of £590,000 to Eden Court for the “Body Currents”
project;
ii. AGREED to formalise a partnership with Eden Court and the Plan B dance
company to deliver the project to maximum community benefit;
iii. AGREED that an officer from the “Body Currents” project be invited to
make a presentation to a future meeting of the Committee; and
iv. AGREED, in principle, to enter into a partnership with the society of
Badenoch and Strathspey Artists for it to take over management of the
Iona Gallery, Kingussie, subject to satisfactory negotiation of the lease,
Service Level Agreement and approval from Scottish Ministers and the
Resources Committee for the leasing of the building at a peppercorn rent.
14. Council Contribution to 040 Project for Older People
There had been circulated Report No ECS-24-09 dated 21 April 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport recommending a way forward in delivering the Council’s commitment to the Older People Project.
The Committee AGREED that the “in kind” support to the value of €109,502 to the O4O project be replaced with a financial contribution split over three financial years, beginning in 2009-10.
15. Highland Culture Programme Update
There had been circulated Report No ECS-25-09 dated 11 May 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport informing of the outcome of the second funding round of the Highland Culture Programme and recommending implementation of proposed amendments to the programme guidelines and decision making process in advance of the third funding round in August 2009.
Having been advised that Officials were available to provide advice and information to local groups in relation to applications for financial assistance, the Committee:-
i. NOTED the decisions made during Round 2 of the Highland Culture
Programme;
ii. AGREED the proposed changes to the Highland Culture Programme
Guidelines and decision making process to improve both in advance of
Round 3 in August;
iii. AGREED the core list of major events proposed;
iv. AGREED the processes proposed to consider approaches for support from
existing and new major event organisers;
v. AGREED that Education, Culture and Sport Officials should undertake
the actions detailed in the report;
vi. NOTED the progress made thus far in attracting sponsorship from the
public and commercial sector in support of developing the events and
festivals calendar of the region; and
vii. NOTED the Council’s participation in investigations into the feasibility for a
Year of Island Cultures celebration in 2011.
16. Board of Poolewe Swimming Pool Association
The Board of Poolewe Swimming Pool Association had asked that the Council appoint one representative to its Board in an advisory capacity.
* The Committee AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council that Mr R Greene be appointed to serve on the Board of Poolewe Swimming Pool Association.
17. Minutes of Meeting
There had been circulated, and APPROVED, the Note of the Meeting of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff held on 23 April 2009.
* To avoid this meeting from being inquorate in future, the Committee also AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Council that the membership of the Management Side increase from 6 to 8 Members.
The meeting ended at 1.35 pm