Minutes of Meeting of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 17 September 2009 at 10.30 am.
Present:
Mr W Fernie, Mr A M Millar, Ms L Munro, Lady Thurso, 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, Mrs E McAllister, Mr K MacLeod, Mr R A C Balfour, Mr L Fraser, Mr A S Park, Ms J Douglas, Mr B Gormley, Rev A Glass, Mr A MacLean, Mr M Monahan.
Non-Members also present:
Mr G Farlow, Mr D Mackay, Mr J Rosie, Mr G M Smith, Mr D C M Flear, Mr J McGillivray, Mr W J Ross, Mr R Durham, Mr A Rhind, Mr P Cairns, Dr D Alston, Mrs I McCallum, Mr H Fraser, Mrs G Sinclair, Mr D Fallows, Mr G Rimell.
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
Mrs N Murray, Catering and Cleaning Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mrs L Jones, Health Promoting Schools Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Ms B Dunthorne, Finance Manager, Finance Service
Mr R Campbell, Principal Projects Manager, Housing and Property Service
Miss J Maclennan, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Miss M Murray, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Also in attendance:-
Mrs F Hampton, Director, Highland 2007
Mr P McLaughlin, General Manager, Eden Court
Ms J Aitken, Arts Education Manager, Eden Court
An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council. All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to Committee.
Mr W Fernie in the Chair
Business
Preliminaries
Rev A Glass opened the meeting with a prayer.
The Chairman welcomed Magnus Monahan, the new Youth Convener, to his first Education, Culture and Sport Committee meeting.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Ms K MacNab, Mr C Fraser, Mr H Wood, Dr M E M Foxley and Rev D Kay.
2. Successes
The Committee NOTED a tabled list of recent Successes in the Education, Culture and Sport Service.
3. Revenue Budget 2008/09 Outturn and 2009/10 Monitoring
There was circulated Report No ECS-34-09 dated 21 August 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the Revenue Budget monitoring position for the period 1 April 2009 to 31 July 2009, highlighting known budget pressures and proposed compensatory savings measures. Details of progress with the achievement of the outstanding budget savings targets for 2008/09 and 2009/10 were also provided as well as details of the 2008/09 year-end financial position for individual schools. The report indicated that the current estimated year-end outturn position was an overspend of £0.190m.
The Committee:-
i. AGREED the corrective actions to off-set known budget pressures as
detailed in the report;
ii. AGREED that progress on recovering the position of schools in deficit be
reported to the Committee during the remainder of the financial year; and
iii. NOTED the progress being made with the outstanding budget savings
targets.
4. Capital Expenditure 2009/10 – Monitoring
There was circulated Report No ECS-35-09 dated 3 September 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which set out the Capital Programme net expenditure position for the period 1 April 2009 to 31 July 2009 and sought approval to declare the former Fodderty Primary School and the redundant part of Abernethy Primary School building as surplus to requirements. The report indicated that the current estimated year-end outturn position was an overspend of £0.769m.
During discussion, the following comments were made:-
• it would be helpful if future Capital Expenditure Monitoring Statements
indicated the current position of each project;
• roofing works at Tain Royal Academy had not been carried out during the
school holidays as programmed and it was suggested that current
procedures be reviewed to ensure that this did not happen in the future;
• Kingussie High School footbridge had been inspected to establish whether
it could be repaired or required full replacement and an update on the
project, including clarification of the expenditure to date, was requested.
With regard to the issue which had arisen at Tain Royal Academy, the Director informed Members that he had discussed the matter with the Director of Housing and Property Services and a Guidance Document specifying what was expected of contractors carrying out works in school premises, particularly in relation to works programmed for the school holidays, was being prepared and would be presented to Members as soon as possible.
Thereafter, the Committee:-
i. NOTED the capital expenditure monitoring position;
ii. AGREED that the former Fodderty Primary School and the redundant
building at Abernethy Primary School be declared surplus to Service
requirements;
iii. AGREED that a brief position statement on each project be included in
future Capital Expenditure Monitoring Statements;
iv. NOTED that a Guidance Document specifying what was expected of
contractors carrying out works in school premises, especially in relation to
works programmed for the school holidays, was being prepared and would
be presented to Members at a future date; and
v. AGREED that an update on the Kingussie High School Replacement
Footbridge Project, including the current budget position, be provided to
Members of Ward 21.
5. Body Currents Community Dance Project
Declaration of Interest – Mrs J Urquhart declared a non-financial interest in this item as a Director of Eden Court Board 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 the discussion (and voting).
There was circulated Report No ECS-36-09 dated 31 August 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport introducing a presentation on the partnership project already agreed by Committee involving the Council, Eden Court Theatre and the Plan B dance company, “Body Currents”.
The Chairman welcomed Paul McLaughlin, General Manager and Judith Aitken, Arts Education Manager, both of Eden Court. Ms Aitken gave a presentation during which she explained that Body Currents was a community dance development project funded by the Scottish Arts Council’s Inspire Fund and consisting of four dance residencies, each of nine months duration, based in Dornie, Aviemore, Lybster and Fort William. The theme of the project was water and the locations had been chosen for their waterside position in consultation with local communities. There would be a Steering Group and two dance workers in each area to guide the project, the culmination of which would be an outdoor performance at each location. Approximately 11,000 young people, adults, and people with special needs were expected to take part. In conclusion, she thanked the Council for its support of the project, which was a good news story for the Highlands, and hoped that the partner organisations would build upon the legacy of the project to develop and sustain a dance strategy.
The Committee NOTED the presentation, the expected outcomes of the project and the previous agreement to be a partner in delivering “Body Currents”.
6. Highland Culture Update
There was circulated Report No ECS-37-09 dated 21 August 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport updating Members on a range of cultural developments which had come to fruition as part of the legacy of Highland 2007. In particular, information was provided on the formation of the Highland Culture Strategic Board, the Highland Culture Programme, the Highland Homecoming Programme and the Homecoming Scotland St Andrew’s Day Celebrations.
Speaking to the report, the Director of Highland 2007 clarified that the Highland Culture Strategic Board was still in the process of trying to secure funding from the Creative Scotland 09 (CS09) Innovation Programme in order to support its work.
During discussion of the Highland Culture Strategic Board, Members referred to the Cultural Themes and Key Improvement Objectives appended to the report and requested that work to develop the “Business Support” theme should not be done in isolation and that a close working relationship with the Business Gateway should be established.
Thereafter, the Committee:-
i. NOTED the terms of the report; and
ii. AGREED that work to develop the “Business Support” Cultural Theme and
Key Improvement Objectives should not be done in isolation and that
there should be a close working relationship with the Business Gateway.
7. Building Cleaning and Schools & Welfare Catering - Best Value
Report
There was circulated Report No ECS-38-09 ECS/38/09 dated 28 August 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport advising Members that the Building Cleaning and Schools & Welfare Catering activities delivered best value for the Council evidenced by service level agreements, periodic bench-marking and regular performance monitoring.
The Committee AGREED that:-
i. a Catering and Cleaning Best Value Report should be produced annually;
ii. progress with the improvement actions identified in the report should be
incorporated within the ECS Service performance reporting framework; and
iii. on the basis that the Catering activity was becoming inextricably linked with
the delivery of the curriculum through statutory health promotion and
nutrition requirements, the statutory obligation to produce trading
accounts on a commercial basis should be reviewed in conjunction with the
Director of Finance and Audit Scotland and a further report submitted to
the next meeting.
8. Fourth Employee Survey – Progress on Improvement Themes
There was circulated Report No ECS-39-09 dated 4 September 2009 by the Director of Education. Culture and Sport providing an update on the actions being taken by the Education, Culture and Sport Service in response to the findings of the fourth employee survey carried out in December 2007.
During discussion, and whilst acknowledging the progress made against the improvement themes, it was suggested that including information on the original results of the employee survey in future progress reports would give a more complete picture.
It having been clarified that the report related solely to the findings of the fourth employee survey, the Committee:-
i. NOTED the progress made towards the Education, Culture and Sport
Service improvement themes agreed in January 2009 in response to the
Council’s fourth employee survey; and
ii. AGREED that a further report on progress against the improvement
themes, including information on the original results of the survey, be
submitted to a future meeting.
9. Healthy Snacks in Schools – Guidelines
There was circulated Report No ECS-40-09 dated 21 August 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport summarising the support and guidance which had been developed by the Education, Culture and Sport Service in partnership with NHS Highland and which was now provided to all Highland School Communities to implement the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007. The report detailed, in particular, the approaches taken to ensure snacks provided in schools were compliant with the Nutritional Regulations 2008 and an approach taken by the Education, Culture and Sport Service to extend the Act further to promote healthy packed lunches.
The Health Promoting Schools Manager gave a presentation during which she explained that guidance, copies of which were tabled for Members’ information, had been developed on “School Snacks”, “Celebrations, Special Events, School Trips and Rewards” and “Healthier Home Baking” to assist schools in interpreting the Nutritional Regulations. The guidance was also available on the Council’s website. School tuck shops had experienced difficulties sourcing packaged goods which met the Regulations but, in addressing this issue, had been encouraged to look at alternative ways of raising revenue, such as selling refillable water bottles. School Nutrition Action Groups had also been encouraged to investigate sourcing goods from local suppliers rather than supermarkets. In summary, the need to offer schools as much support as possible and to encourage a creative approach was emphasised.
During discussion, the following comments were made:-
• an update was requested on the previous Committee decision that
investigations be carried out into local circumstances and bye-laws on the
location of both fixed and mobile food and drink retailers in the vicinity of
schools;
• it was a condition of a Street Trader’s Licence that mobile snack shops
were prohibited from operating within 150 metres of existing catering
facilities and information was sought on whether this was being enforced;
and
• small schools were not in a position to purchase snack produce at a price
they could make a profit on and it was suggested that consideration be
given to the Council bulk buying produce to enable schools to reduce costs.
With regard to food and drink retailers operating in the vicinity of schools, the Catering and Cleaning Manager advised that a meeting of relevant parties, including the Youth Convener and the Council’s Legal and Licensing representatives, had been convened to consider the issue. A further meeting would be held in due course following which a progress report would be submitted to the Committee.
The Committee AGREED:-
i. the guidance for healthy snacks in schools;
ii. that a progress report on investigations into local circumstances and bye-
laws on the location of both fixed and mobile food and drink retailers in the
vicinity of schools be submitted to a future meeting;
iii. that investigations be carried out into whether the Street Trader’s Licence
Condition prohibiting mobile snack shops from operating within 150 metres
of existing catering facilities was being enforced; and
iv. that the possibility of the Council bulk buying snack produce direct from
manufacturers to enable schools to reduce costs should be investigated.
10. Outdoor Learning and the Curriculum for Excellence
Declarations of Interest – Mr D Hendry, Ms J Douglas, Mr D Fallows and Mr G Rimell declared financial interests in this item as Members of the Cairngorm National Park Authority but, in terms of the general dispensation granted by the Standards Commission, remained to participate in the discussion (and voting).
There was circulated Report No ECS-41-09 dated 31 August 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport highlighting the value that outdoor learning could bring to a young person’s educational development and seeking approval of a contribution from the Council to a Cairngorm National Park initiative which would develop the availability of outdoor learning opportunities for school pupils in Highland.
The Committee AGREED to contribute the sum of £10,000 to the £115,000 partnership project to research, develop and deliver learning opportunities for Highland pupils in the Cairngorm National Park.
11. Curriculum for Excellence Implementation Plan
There was circulated Report No ECS-42-09 dated 31 August 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport updating Members on the Implementation Plan for 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 response to a question, the Quality Improvement Manager confirmed that Members would be given details of the October Learning Festival in order that they might attend and contribute if they so wished.
Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the Curriculum for Excellence Implementation Plan.
12. More Choices More Chances - 16+ Learning Choices
There was circulated Report No ECS-43-09 dated 28 August 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport informing Members that Highland Council was one of 21 early implementers of 16+ Learning Choices, the Scottish Government’s new model for ensuring that every young person had an offer of learning made to them well in advance of their school leaving date. During the 2008/09 session, 13 schools had been piloting 16+ Learning Choices and more would join in 2009/2010. To support its implementation, Highland had been asked to be one of 10 pilot local authorities for Activity Agreements for young people who needed tailored support to move on to positive destinations after school.
During discussion, and whilst welcoming the variety of partners involved in the Highland More Choices More Chances Strategy Group, it was suggested that consideration should be given to including a representative from the homeless sector.
Thereafter, the Committee:-
i. NOTED the implementation of 16+ Learning Choices and the piloting of
Activity Agreements in Highland; and
ii. AGREED that consideration be given to expanding the Highland More
Choices More Chances Strategy Group to include a representative from the
homeless sector.
13. Curriculum for Excellence – Raising Standards and Increasing
Capacity for Leadership
There was circulated Report No ECS-44-09 dated 4 September 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport outlining the work undertaken by the Quality Improvement Team in supporting Leadership for Learning at all levels within the Highland Council’s schools. The report covered the established processes of School Improvement through Self-Evaluation and reflected on the completed project of Support for Leadership in Highland together with the present work on the ‘next generation’ leadership programme for 2009/10.
The Committee NOTED:-
i. the strategies of the service in increasing the quality of learning and
teaching;
ii. the work of the School Improvement through Self-Evaluation project; and
iii. the “Next Generation” Leadership Programme.
14. Initial Report on SQA Performance
There was circulated Report No ECS-45-09 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport outlining the key information arising from the SQA examination diet of 2009 bearing in mind that, at this stage, results were subject to alteration following appeals and other modifications of data. Overall, the results were encouraging and showed a consistent improvement in most categories. With regard to Looked After Children, it was highlighted that data on examination performance had yet to be verified and would be reported in detail at the November meeting.
During discussion, Members congratulated Highland’s young people on their performance and thanked staff and parents for their support.
Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the outcomes of the SQA examinations.
15. Developing Partnerships for Sporting Excellence
There was circulated Report No ECS-46-09 dated 31 August 2009 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport informing Members of opportunities to form partnerships with other funding agencies to identify and nurture young talented sports men and women in advance of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.
In response to questions, the Community Development Manager explained that the Council’s contribution towards the proposed partnership would be met by redirecting existing Sports Development resources and it was confirmed that the school sports budget would not be affected.
Thereafter, the Committee AGREED:-
i. the proposed partnership funding to target support to Highland athletes to
increase their chances of being selected to compete in the 2014
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow;
ii. the use of external funding of £150,000 over three years on offer to
employ a post to provide additional support to competitive sports
competitions in schools and to employ a swimming coach; and
iii. the use of £10,000 per year for three years from existing sports budgets
as the Council’s contribution to the project.
16. Statutory Consultation – Milton of Leys Primary School
The Committee was informed that Inshes Primary School, which had already had a two classroom extension, was exceeding its operational capacity. School Roll projections indicated that the number of primary children in the Inshes and Milton of Leys area would steadily increase due to pre-school children already living in the area and future housing development and it was therefore necessary to consider the provision of a new school to serve the Milton of Leys community.
The Committee AGREED, in terms of the Council’s agreed procedures, that:-
i. a statutory consultation be undertaken on the provision of a new school for
Milton of Leys, on a site for the school and on the catchment area for the
school; and
ii. in order that locally based consultation could commence, consultation
papers should be drawn up by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport
in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee.
17. Statutory Consultation – Uig Primary School
The Committee was informed that the pupil roll at Uig Primary School had decreased considerably and consideration required to be given to the closure of the school.
The Committee AGREED, in terms of the Council’s agreed procedures, that:-
i. a statutory consultation be undertaken on primary school provision in the
area currently served by Uig Primary School; and
ii. in order that locally based consultation could commence, consultation
papers should be drawn up by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport
in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee.
18. Minutes of Meetings
There were circulated the following Minutes of Meetings:-
i. Education Transport Appeals held on 4 August
2009; and
ii. Duncraig Trust Scheme Sub Committee held on 26 August 2009
The Committee NOTED the Minutes and AGREED that the procedure for revisiting Education Transport Appeals be investigated with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.
The meeting concluded at 12.30 pm.