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COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

GAELIC DEVELOPMENT SUB-COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Thursday 1 February 2001 at 4.00pm

PRESENT

Mr Donald M Mackay (Chairman)

Mr Malcolm J Macleod

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Alexander A MacDonald

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mrs Morag Munro

MINUTES

Gaelic Development Sub-Committee

PR03.05

1

The Minute of Meeting of 28 November 2000 was approved.

Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that a Meeting would be arranged between the Gaelic Development Sub-Committee and the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of Education Committee and the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services to discuss matters relating to Gaelic Medium Education.

GAELIC DEVELOPMENT

Gaelic Television - A Dedicated Channel (The Milne Report)

PR14

2*

The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning the recommendations of the Gaelic Broadcasting Task Force Report (The Milne Report) and the potential implications for the Gaelic Broadcasting Sector in the Western Isles. The Report detailed the background to the establishment of the Milne Broadcasting Task Force which had been to review Gaelic Broadcasting and "to examine from the stand point of technical feasibility, finance and programming, the practicability of establishing a dedicated Gaelic television channel". The Report indicated that the main recommendation of the Milne Broadcasting Task Force was to establish a Gaelic Broadcasting Authority which would be appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and operated within the UK Regulatory Framework with the responsibility for;

(i) overseeing the establishment of a Gaelic Service embracing the converging media of the 21^st Century;

(ii) administer the funds which the service would receive;

(iii) appoint the senior staff who would run the service;

(iv) have overall responsibility for the scheduling and the broadcast of the service; and

(v) designate the sustaining services which will broadcast when Gaelic programmes are not being transmitted.

The Report indicated that the positive endorsement by the Milne Broadcasting Task Force in relation to the creation of a dedicated Gaelic Television Channel provided an opportunity to lobby for this new facility to be based in the Western Isles.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Comhairle welcome the main recommendations in the Report; and

(2) representatives from the Gaelic Development Sub-Committee meet with Comataidh Craolaidh Gàidhlig, the Local MP and MSP to agree on a joint strategy to lobby for a dedicated Gaelic television channel to be established in the Western Isles.

Tobar an Dualchais/Kist O'Riches

PR13.07.10

3*

The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning the Tobar an Dualchais project which had been a proposal to preserve and digitise 18,000 hours of Gaelic and Scots sound recordings through modern computer technology. The Report indicated that the funding for the project, most of which was to have come from the Heritage Lottery Fund, had been unsuccessful and that the project would not at this stage be proceeding. The Report further indicated that the project would be re-submitted, possibly on a smaller scale.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Report be noted; and

(2) the Chief Executive write to Dr Martin MacIntyre, Co-ordinator, Tobar an Dualchais to ascertain the progress to date on the Tobair an Dualchais project.

Creation of a Ministerial Advisory Group to Progress the MacPherson Report Recommendations

PR13.01

4*

The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning progress in relation to the implementation of the MacPherson Report on the future funding and re-organisation of Gaelic organisations. The Report detailed the background to the MacPherson Report and the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Group which would be responsible for the creation of a strategic framework for the public support of Gaelic language and culture. The Report further detailed the remit of the Ministerial Advisory Group.

It was agreed to recommend that the:

(1) Comhairle welcome the progress in relation to the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic; and

(2) Chief Executive be authorised to invite the Ministerial Advisory Group to the next Meeting of the Gaelic Development Sub-Committee of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar failing that a suitable alternative date be set to ensure that the views of the Comhairle on the future of Gaelic are fully conveyed to the Group in an effort to ensure the language remains vibrant and continues to make a contribution to the rich cultural heritage of Scotland and the Western Isles.

Gaelic Place Names Scheme - Bilingual Signage

PR13.03

5

The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning progress to date on a jointly funded Bilingual Signage Scheme, which was established in 1999 to encourage local businesses in the Western Isles to use bilingual signs. The Report detailed the background to the project indicating the take-up to date and indicating that it was proposed to publicise the scheme to wider establishments within the Western Isles.

It was agreed:

(1) to note the Report; and

(2) that the Chief Executive be authorised to write to local businesses in the Western Isles to inform them of this scheme.

Economic Development Officer (Gaelic)

M01.03.01

6

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report regarding difficulties which had arisen concerning the offer of the post of Oifigear Leasachaidh Economaiceach (Gàidhlig). It was stated that, following the decision to offer the post to the holder of the existing post of Gaelic Development Officer, proposals had been put forward to restructure the Chief Executive's Office. These proposals intended the transfer of the postholder into Sgioba na Gàidhlig as a Policy Development Officer and were still subject to consultation. It was noted that the postholder was on secondment from a post of Head Teacher. It was indicated that the officer had requested that his secondment be extended for a period of twelve months to enable the restructuring to be completed and a complete offer of employment to be made to him.

It was agreed that the period of secondment of the Head Teacher, Aird School, be extended for a period of twelve months to 31 January 2002.

ADDITIONAL ITEM

Seminar: Broadcasting, Language, Culture: Friday 9 February 2001

PR14

7*

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning a Seminar on Gaelic Broadcasting to be held in Inverness on Friday 9 February 2001 and seeking a nomination for a Member to attend.

It was agreed to recommend that the Chairman or his nominees be authorised to attend the Seminar on Broadcasting, Language, Culture on Friday 9 February 2001.

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PRESENT	Mr Donald M Mackay (Chairman)
	Mr Malcolm J Macleod	Mr Norman L Macdonald
	Mr Alexander A MacDonald	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mrs Morag Munro

		MINUTES
Gaelic Development Sub-Committee PR03.05	1	The Minute of Meeting of 28 November 2000 was approved. Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that a Meeting would be arranged between the Gaelic Development Sub-Committee and the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of Education Committee and the Acting Director of Education and Leisure Services to discuss matters relating to Gaelic Medium Education.
		GAELIC DEVELOPMENT
Gaelic Television - A Dedicated Channel (The Milne Report) PR14	2*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning the recommendations of the Gaelic Broadcasting Task Force Report (The Milne Report) and the potential implications for the Gaelic Broadcasting Sector in the Western Isles. The Report detailed the background to the establishment of the Milne Broadcasting Task Force which had been to review Gaelic Broadcasting and "to examine from the stand point of technical feasibility, finance and programming, the practicability of establishing a dedicated Gaelic television channel". The Report indicated that the main recommendation of the Milne Broadcasting Task Force was to establish a Gaelic Broadcasting Authority which would be appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and operated within the UK Regulatory Framework with the responsibility for; (i) overseeing the establishment of a Gaelic Service embracing the converging media of the 21^st Century; (ii) administer the funds which the service would receive; (iii) appoint the senior staff who would run the service; (iv) have overall responsibility for the scheduling and the broadcast of the service; and (v) designate the sustaining services which will broadcast when Gaelic programmes are not being transmitted. The Report indicated that the positive endorsement by the Milne Broadcasting Task Force in relation to the creation of a dedicated Gaelic Television Channel provided an opportunity to lobby for this new facility to be based in the Western Isles.
		It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle welcome the main recommendations in the Report; and (2) representatives from the Gaelic Development Sub-Committee meet with Comataidh Craolaidh Gàidhlig, the Local MP and MSP to agree on a joint strategy to lobby for a dedicated Gaelic television channel to be established in the Western Isles.
Tobar an Dualchais/Kist O'Riches PR13.07.10	3*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning the Tobar an Dualchais project which had been a proposal to preserve and digitise 18,000 hours of Gaelic and Scots sound recordings through modern computer technology. The Report indicated that the funding for the project, most of which was to have come from the Heritage Lottery Fund, had been unsuccessful and that the project would not at this stage be proceeding. The Report further indicated that the project would be re-submitted, possibly on a smaller scale. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Report be noted; and (2) the Chief Executive write to Dr Martin MacIntyre, Co-ordinator, Tobar an Dualchais to ascertain the progress to date on the Tobair an Dualchais project.
Creation of a Ministerial Advisory Group to Progress the MacPherson Report Recommendations PR13.01	4*	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning progress in relation to the implementation of the MacPherson Report on the future funding and re-organisation of Gaelic organisations. The Report detailed the background to the MacPherson Report and the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Group which would be responsible for the creation of a strategic framework for the public support of Gaelic language and culture. The Report further detailed the remit of the Ministerial Advisory Group. It was agreed to recommend that the: (1) Comhairle welcome the progress in relation to the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic; and (2) Chief Executive be authorised to invite the Ministerial Advisory Group to the next Meeting of the Gaelic Development Sub-Committee of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar failing that a suitable alternative date be set to ensure that the views of the Comhairle on the future of Gaelic are fully conveyed to the Group in an effort to ensure the language remains vibrant and continues to make a contribution to the rich cultural heritage of Scotland and the Western Isles.
Gaelic Place Names Scheme - Bilingual Signage PR13.03	5	The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning progress to date on a jointly funded Bilingual Signage Scheme, which was established in 1999 to encourage local businesses in the Western Isles to use bilingual signs. The Report detailed the background to the project indicating the take-up to date and indicating that it was proposed to publicise the scheme to wider establishments within the Western Isles. It was agreed: (1) to note the Report; and (2) that the Chief Executive be authorised to write to local businesses in the Western Isles to inform them of this scheme.
Economic Development Officer (Gaelic) M01.03.01	6	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report regarding difficulties which had arisen concerning the offer of the post of Oifigear Leasachaidh Economaiceach (Gàidhlig). It was stated that, following the decision to offer the post to the holder of the existing post of Gaelic Development Officer, proposals had been put forward to restructure the Chief Executive's Office. These proposals intended the transfer of the postholder into Sgioba na Gàidhlig as a Policy Development Officer and were still subject to consultation. It was noted that the postholder was on secondment from a post of Head Teacher. It was indicated that the officer had requested that his secondment be extended for a period of twelve months to enable the restructuring to be completed and a complete offer of employment to be made to him. It was agreed that the period of secondment of the Head Teacher, Aird School, be extended for a period of twelve months to 31 January 2002.
		ADDITIONAL ITEM
Seminar: Broadcasting, Language, Culture: Friday 9 February 2001 PR14	7*	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning a Seminar on Gaelic Broadcasting to be held in Inverness on Friday 9 February 2001 and seeking a nomination for a Member to attend. It was agreed to recommend that the Chairman or his nominees be authorised to attend the Seminar on Broadcasting, Language, Culture on Friday 9 February 2001.
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