Minutes of Meeting of the Gaelic Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 7 August 2008 at 2.00 pm
Present:
Mr G M Smith, Mr J McGillivray, Mrs I Campbell, Dr A Sinclair, Ms M Smith, Mr C Fraser, Mr H Fraser, Mr A M Millar, Mr E Hunter, Mr A Graham, Miss J Campbell, Mr J Finnie, Mr F Parr, Mr K MacLeod, Mr R Balfour, Mr R Pedersen, Ms J Douglas, Mr D Cameron, Dr M E M Foxley
Non-Members also present:
Dr D Alston
Officials in attendance:
Mr H Fraser, Director of Education, Culture and Sport
Mr D MacDonald, Head of Education Services, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr R MacKenzie, Head of Support Services, Education, Culture and Sport
Ms J Menabney, Principal Cultural Officer, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr D MacNeill, Gaelic Development Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Ms M A MacLeod, Gaelic Development Officer, Chief Executive’s Office
Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Miss M Murray, Administrative Assistant, Chief Executive’s Office
Representatives of Gaelic Cultural or Development Organisations:-
Mr D Morris, Vice Chairman, Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba
An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council. All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee.
Mr H Fraser in the Chair
Business
Preliminaries
The Chairman referred to the recent resignation of Mr Kenneth Murray, Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig. He thanked Mr Murray for his contribution, particularly his assistance with the production of the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan, and advised that the Council would continue to support the Bòrd.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr G Farlow, Mrs M E Paterson, Mr J MacDonald and Mr J Holden.
2. Recess Powers
The Committee NOTED that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 26 June 2008 were not exercised in relation to the business of the Gaelic Committee.
3. Revenue Budget Monitoring
There was circulated Report No G-15-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport setting out the revenue budget monitoring position for the period 1 April to 30 June 2008 and the projected year end position. At present there were no projected variances, however, it was likely that there would be savings arising from the delay in recruitment to posts within the Gaelic Development Team.
In discussion, Members suggested that it would be useful to receive regular reports regarding vacant Gaelic posts to allow Members to monitor and comment on the position.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the report and monitoring statements which showed the revenue
budget monitoring position for the period 1 April to 30 June 2008; and
ii. AGREED that a report be submitted to the Committee on a six-monthly
basis advising of the current position with regard to vacant Gaelic teaching
and Gaelic development posts.
4. Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba – Gaelic Place Names of Scotland
Committee
There was circulated Report No G-16-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport informing Members of the developments to date in relation to Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA) (Gaelic Place Names of Scotland Committee).
The Chairman welcomed Mr D Morris, Vice Chairman of AÀA, who gave a presentation in amplification of the report. Mr Morris advised that AÀA was a partnership of public and voluntary bodies, funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Argyll and Bute Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Highland Council, the main purpose of which was to research Gaelic place names to establish correct and consistent forms for maps, signs and general use. There was a growing demand for such information and AÀA, with funding from Bòrd na Gaidhlig, was in the process of establishing the National Gaelic Place Names Gazetteer, an on-line facility which would provide authoritative information on Gaelic place names with supporting evidence. He summarised AÀA’s research projects, both complete and ongoing, and highlighted that a significant number of requests related to the programme of bi-lingual road signs throughout Highland. Implementation of the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan would also lead to an increase in the number of requests. Mr Morris concluded by highlighting the challenges facing AÀA and opportunities for expansion of the service.
The Chairman thanked Mr Morris for his presentation and commended all those involved with AÀA for the valuable work they carried out.
In discussion, Members referred to the digital screens on trains which displayed the next destination and suggested that rail providers be approached regarding displaying destinations in Gaelic in addition to English to encourage locals and tourists to take an interest in the Gaelic language.
Members also stressed the importance of bi-lingual signs being installed on the A9 trunk road.
The Committee NOTED the report and the accompanying presentation; and
AGREED that:-
i. officials explore with rail providers the possibility of destinations being
displayed in Gaelic in addition to English on the digital displays provided on
trains on the West Highland and Kyle lines; and
ii. a letter be sent on behalf of the Committee to the Trunk Roads Authority
requesting that the installation of bi-lingual signs on the A9 be made a
priority.
5. Gaelic Language Plan
i. Implementation Update
There was circulated Report No G-17-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing an update on the measures being taken to implement the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan 2008-2011. The report highlighted a number of key actions relating to the Highland Council Staff Skills Audit, raising awareness of the Plan, recruitment and budgets.
The Committee NOTED progress with the implementation of the Gaelic Language Plan and thanked the Gaelic Development Manager for the work he had accomplished since taking up his post earlier in the year.
ii. Implementation Funding
Declarations of Interest
Mr A Graham declared a financial interest in this item as Finance and Administration Manager for Bòrd na Gàidhlig and left the room.
Dr M E M Foxley declared a financial interest in this item as a Board Member of Bòrd na Gàidhlig but, in terms of the general dispensation granted by the Standards Commission, remained to participate in the discussion.
There was circulated Report No G-18-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport updating Members on the preparation of bids by the Highland Council for funding support under the Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund (GLAIF). The report advised that the Fund was administered by Bòrd na Gàidhlig which had published guidelines for funding applications on 20 June 2008 with a deadline of 31 July 2008 for submission of bids. On this occasion the Bòrd had invited bids covering a three year period to March 2011.
The Gaelic Development Manager presented details of the Council’s bids as submitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig and advised that the information had not been available at the time the report had been written as the bids were still being prepared to meet the deadline of 31 July 2008. The information would however now be circulated.
The Committee:-
i. NOTED the availability and nature of the GLAIF funding and the means by
which the Council’s submissions had been prepared; and
ii. AGREED that details of the Council’s GLAIF bids as at 31 July 2008 be
circulated to Members of the Committee electronically.
6. The National Mod and An Comunn Gàidhealach
There was circulated Report No G-19-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport updating Members on discussions between Council officers and representatives of An Comunn Gàidhealach concerning the joint agreement between the two bodies and the future arrangements for hosting the Royal National Mod in the Highlands.
In discussion, the following comments were made:-
- it was essential that the Royal National Mod was held in Highland every three years;
- the location of the Mod must be by joint agreement between An Comunn Gàidhealach and the Highland Council;
- the suggested review of possible venues to take account of recent developments in potential locations was welcomed;
- the Council should work in close collaboration with An Comunn Gàidhealach to develop the Mod fringe;
- the importance of engaging with local Mod committees was stressed;
- consideration should be given as to how the low number of Mod entries, particularly from Gaelic medium schools, could be addressed;
- opportunities for the Council to assist in promoting the Mod should be explored;
- information was sought on the costs involved in running a Mod and how the Council funding of £40,000 per annum was being utilised;
- a representative of An Comunn Gàidhealach should be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee;
- information was sought on the number of local Mods being held throughout Highland and the success thereof.
The Chairman confirmed that the issues raised by Members would be discussed at a further meeting with An Comunn Gàidhealach in the near future.
The Committee NOTED the report and the progress of discussions towards securing a new Service Level Agreement between the Council and An Comunn Gàidhealach; and
AGREED that:-
i. discussions continue with An Comunn Gàidhealach regarding securing a new
Service Level Agreement and on the issues raised during discussion;
ii. a representative of An Comunn Gàidhealach be invited to attend a future
meeting of the Committee to discuss the agreement with the Council and
future arrangements for hosting the Royal National Mod in Highland; and
iii. a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee on the
number of local Mods being held throughout Highland and the success
thereof.
7. Gaelic Development Manager’s Update
There was circulated Report No G-20-08 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing an update on various issues of interest to the Gaelic Committee, including:-
- Recruitment
- Highland Council Staff Skills Survey
- Leabhar na Gaidheal Òga (The Book of the Young Gael)
- FilmG – A Gaelic Short Film Competition
- Nova Scotia Memorandum of Understanding and Cape Breton Craft Exchange
In discussion, Members referred to the difficulties in recruiting teachers to Gaelic teaching posts in Highland and suggested that the lack of suitable housing in some areas was a factor. It was suggested that consideration be given to what incentives could be provided to increase the take up of Gaelic teaching posts.
With regard to the Memorandum of Understanding between Nova Scotia and the Highlands, Members stressed the importance of visitors to Nova Scotia raising awareness of current issues such as the potential for Gaelic teaching jobs in Highland, the implementation of the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan and the Year of Homecoming 2009.
The Committee NOTED the report; and
AGREED that:-
i. the Education, Culture and Sport Committee be asked to consider what
incentives could be given to encourage teachers to take up Gaelic teaching
posts in Highland; and
ii. as part of the Memorandum of Understanding between Nova Scotia and the
Council, visitors to Nova Scotia be given information packs to increase
understanding of the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan, it’s implementation and
the use of Gaelic in the Council and the Highland Community in general.
8. Consultation on Gaelic Medium Education Provision in Fort William
and Portree
The Committee NOTED that the Education, Culture and Sport Committee had agreed to proceed to consultation on the proposals to develop stand-alone Gaelic Primary Schools in Fort William and Portree. The outcome of the consultations would be reported to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee on 13 November 2008.
The meeting concluded at 4.00 pm.