Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J M Englefield and Councillor T G Knight.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 16 January 2013.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 16 January 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record. 

There were no Chairman's announcements made at this meeting.

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.

There were no declarations of interest or disclosures of advice or directions made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Director of Community regarding proposed options to be put forward for consultation and the proposed consultation method, concerning  the future of the land covered by the former tennis courts, the former community centre and the existing car park.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community regarding proposed options to be put forward for consultation and the proposed consultation method, concerning the future of the land covered by the former tennis courts, the former community centre and the existing car park.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Hockley addressed the Panel during consideration of this item.

Members were advised that the issues for consultation involved the range of sports to be included in the multi use games area (MUGA) and the location of the MUGA on site.  With regards to the car park proposals, the options related to providing extra car parking spaces by squaring off the original car park and extending it further onto the site of one of the two former tennis courts.

The Panel noted the details of the organisations/individuals to be consulted, as listed in paragraph 8 of the report, and the methods of consultation as explained in paragraph 9.  The Chairman proposed and it was agreed, that Mr Geoff Sparshott, from Portchester Tennis Club be added to the list of consultees.

It was confirmed that in addition to letter/questionnaires to consultees, information would also be provided on the Council's website and the options displayed at the new Community Centre where officers would be available during the day and evening to answer any questions.  Consideration was given to a proposal that the display be also located at another venue in the Portchester area.  It was proposed  and seconded, that the aforementioned display be held only at Portchester Community Centre for one day/evening, on a date to be arranged.  On being put to the vote the proposal was carried (voting 5 for; 1 against).

Following further discussion about the options for car parking and siting of a MUGA, it was AGREED that the Panel supported:-

(a)         the squaring off of the existing car park and the car park extension on the indicative plan attached to the report shown as Car Park Extension Option B;

(b)        provision of a new enclosed multi use games area (MUGA) of up to 600m² to allow for a range of sports to be provided, e.g. tennis, basketball, football, to be located on the site of the former Community Centre;

(c)         Mr Geoff Sparshott, from Portchester Tennis Club be added to the list of consultees;

(d)        officers hold an exhibition regarding the options at the new Community Centre on a day and evening to be agreed in consultation with the Chairman; and

(e)        all Panel members and all Portchester Ward members, be notified when the exhibition date had been agreed.

To consider a report by the Director of Community which presents the outcome of the needs assessment for those wards in the Fareham CATs area and recommends that a master plan to deliver the identified needs be prepared.  

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which presented the outcome of the needs assessment for those wards in the Fareham CATs area and recommended preparation of a master plan to deliver the identified needs.

The Panel was informed of two points of clarification to the information contained in Appendix A attached to the report, namely:-

·           Wallington Village Hall - the land is in the ownership of the Council but the Hall is privately owned.

·           Westbury Manor Museum - the building is managed by Hampshire County Council but owned by Fareham Borough Council.

Members considered the identified needs, detailed in paragraph 33 of the report, arising from feedback received from user groups and operators of

buildings.  The Panel was advised that the overall conclusion from the needs assessment was that whilst there is a diverse range of community facilities within the Fareham CATs areas and local need is being met in general terms, there is an overarching need to provide a larger community facility in the central Fareham area.

The Chairman thanked officers for the very valuable progress that had been achieved in carrying out the needs assessment in the Fareham CATs area.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)          the outcome of the Fareham Needs Assessment be noted; and

(b)          officers be authorised to prepare a master plan to meet the identified needs and to deliver the strategic requirement for a community facility in the central Fareham area.

To consider a report by the Director of Community which provides a summary of the contract performance monitoring of Fareham Leisure Centre.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which provided a summary of the contract performance monitoring of Fareham Leisure Centre

Members were referred to paragraph 9 of the report and informed that the figure of Leisure Cards currently issued should read 675 and not 886 as stated.  Following an enquiry about the number of apprentices mentioned on page 6 of the report, it was stated that of the nine apprentices taken on, three have been employed whilst the remaining six are still in the process of completing their training. 

The Panel were pleased to note the very positive improvements that have been made at the Centre and agreed that the facility continues to provide an excellent service to the community.  The Chairman proposed that Panel members visit the Leisure Centre to view the facilities, the adjacent car park and nearby Fareham Bowls Club site.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)       the significant improvements and achievements attained in the management and operation of the Leisure Centre, as detailed in the report, be noted; and

(b)       in consultation with the Chairman, officers arrange for Panel members to visit the Leisure Centre to view the Centre's facilities, the adjacent car park and nearby Fareham Bowls Club site.

To consider a report by the Director of Community and Streetscene which reviews the Panel’s proposed work programme for 2012/13 and considers a draft programme for 2013/14.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which detailed the Panel's work programme for 2012/13 and considered a draft programme for 2013/14.

Reference was made to minute 8 (b) above, the proposed visit to Fareham Leisure Centre, which the Chairman suggested be added to the Panel's work programme for 2013/14 as an unallocated item.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)          the outcomes of the Panel's work programme for 2012/13, as shown in Appendix B attached to the report, be noted;

(b)          subject to the addition of an item (unallocated) regarding the Panel's visit to Fareham Leisure Centre, the proposed work programme for 2013/14 shown in Appendix C to the report, be approved; and

(c)          the revised proposed Work Programme for 2013/14, attached to these minutes, be submitted to the Council for endorsement.