Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Mrs K K Trott.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 08 November 2017.

It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on the 08 November 2017 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman updated the Panel on the progress following the Locks Heath Pumas Rugby Clubs request for assistance to secure permanent land for their club at the last Panel meeting.

At the meeting on the 08 November 2018 three possible options were identified. The Executive Member for Leisure and Community has since written to one of the land owners identified as one of the possible options, but unfortunately, they were not able to assist the club.

The Chairman asked that contact be maintained with the Lock Heath Pumas Rugby Club to ensure that the other two options are investigated fully.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Councillor R H Price declared a non-pecuniary interest at item 7 as he gives a grant to Y-Services from his budget as a County Councillor.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a presentation from One Community on the services they provide in the Borough.

The Panel received a presentation from three Members of the One Community team; Julia Allen, Carol Grant and Hayley Hewlett, on the service that One Community provide within the Borough.

They highlighted to the Panel the following areas –

·         New Initiatives – Including the success of the One Community Information Centre that opened on the 18 September 2017 in one of the units in the Fareham Shopping Centre.

·         Training – One Communities continued work to deliver training and assist both voluntary and community sectors with their different training needs.

·         Governance – Currently working with 13 organisations to assist them with a variety of governance issues.

·         Funding – Working closely to provide specific funding assistance to several different originations.

·         Volunteering – Worked with over 350 individuals between January and December 2017 to help them find volunteering roles in a wide variety of different organisations.

·         Promotion – Supporting groups to promote services, events etc through the press, posters, newsletters, posters and social media.

·         Outreach – Focus has currently been with the Community Centres across the Borough to help network and get people together through meetings and events.

·         Key Events – The Annual Volunteer Certificate Presentation Evening and the Community Showcase were both a big success last year and they are hoping to continue this success at this year events in June 2018.

The Chairman asked if One Community could assist with the volunteer needs at Fareham North West Community Centre, as they are having some challenges due to valuable members of the team having to step down. One Community agreed to take this further.

Members thanked the One Community Team for the fantastic work that they do across the Borough.

It was AGREED that One Community be thanked for their informative presentation.

To receive a presentation from Y-Services on the work they do with young people in the Borough.

Councillor R H Price declared a non-pecuniary interest at this item, as he gives a grant to Y-Services from his budget as a County Councillor.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Executive Member for Leisure and Community addressed the Panel on this item.

The Panel received a presentation from Andy Kennedy and Alison Hunt from Y-Services providing members with an overview of the current delivery of the youth services they provide within the Borough.

The presentation gave Members an overview of the work that Y-Services have delivered over the past 12 months and looked forward to the planned work for 2018.

Andy Kennedy also gave details to the Panel on the current funding. Reassured Members they are currently in a good situation moving forward due to the fantastic efforts they have made securing funding from many different sources.

He also updated the Panel on the progress at their premises at Frosthole Close. After a difficult start due to a significant damp problem, they are hoping to open the centre at Easter time this year.

Alison Hunt then addressed the Panel to share her experience with Y-Services since she joined them at the age of 10. She explained to Members about how she is now an ambassador for Y-Services and how the service has been invaluable to her, creating a middle step between school and work for her to grow in confidence and build on life skills.

Members enquired about how the Outreach Team manage the hotspots around the Borough. Andy Kennedy explained that managing the hotspots is a constant challenge. This is why the Outreach Team is such an invaluable service supporting vulnerable young people.

The Executive Member for Leisure and Community addressed the Panel to assure Members that there is still funding available for the Outreach work.

It was AGREED that Andy Kennedy and Alison Hunt be thanked for their informative presentation and the continued vital work they do within the Borough.

To receive a presentation by the Head of Leisure and Corporate Services on the progress of the Play Area Improvement Programme.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Executive Member for Leisure and Community addressed the Panel on this item to highlight how hard the officers had worked to secure funding for the Play Area Improvement Programme.

The Panel received a presentation from the Leisure and Community Manager outlining proposals for the next five-year Play Area Improvement Programme.

The presentation also highlighted to Members the work that has already been completed to install and refurbish play areas across the Borough since 2015.

It was AGREED that the Leisure and Community Manager be thanked for her presentation.

To consider a report by the Head of Leisure and Corporate Services which reviews the Panel’s proposed Work Programme for 2017/18.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Leisure and Corporate Services which reviews the Panels work programme for the current year 2017/18 and asks members to consider the draft work programme for 2018/19.

Members asked that an item updating them on the Festive Lights and corresponding event for 2018 be brought to the Panel at an appropriate time within in the 2018/19 Work Programme.

 It was AGREED that the Panel:

(a)  approve the programme of items for the remainder of 2017/18 as set out in Appendix A of the report; and

(b)  with the addition of an item on the new festive lights scheme being added, gave initial consideration to the draft work programme for 2018/19.