Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs P M Bryant and Councillor R H Price, JP.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 24 July 2013. 

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 24 July 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 made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a presentation from the Leisure Development Manager regarding future proposals for Bath Lane Recreation Ground.

The Panel received a presentation from the Leisure Development Manager regarding future proposals for Bath Lane Recreation Ground. It was reported that the planning application is likely to be considered at the Planning Committee meeting in October/November 2013. Members were informed that the aim was to provide a robust and secure building, whilst being mindful of the need for the building’s design to be appropriate to its location within a conservation area.  It was noted that the present club house  is owned by Fareham Crofton Cricket Club. 

Members were informed that the proposals were to:-

•       Demolish the existing club house, maintenance store and former public WC’s

•       Extend and refurbish the existing pavilion.

•       Provide new grounds maintenance store.

•       Provide a new cricket square.

Factors to be taken into account in the proposals for development included the location of existing services eg Virgin Media Cable, gas main and water; restrictions as this is Conservation Area; concerns by Network Rail regarding  impact on the embankment; measures to reduce anti social behaviour / vandalism.

The Panel were shown a plan of the existing and proposed new building.  The expected programme for redevelopment was as follows:-

•                     September 2013- Prepare new cricket square.

•                     September 2014– Commence works to existing pavilion and new storage facility.

•                     April 2015 – Cricket Club to fit out the club house area.

•                     September 2015 – demolish existing club house and store

It was AGREED that officers be thanked for their hard work in progressing the redevelopment proposals for Bath Lane Recreation ground and thanks also be extended to Fareham & Crofton Cricket Club members for their contribution to the process.

To consider a report by the Director of Community which reviews progress against the current five year improvement programme for the Council's outdoor sports facilities and presents an updated programme for the period from April 2013 to March 2024.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which reviewed progress against the current five year improvement programme for the Council's outdoor sports facilities and presented an updated programme for the period from April 2013 to March 2024 (copy of report circulated with the agenda).

Reference was made to the table in paragraph 38 of the report and it was noted that the total Available Budget figure should read £771,191 and not £772, 058 as shown.  It was also noted that in paragraph 39 of the report it had incorrectly stated that all available funding had been allocated to projects

Councillor Knight proposed that for future reports an additional column be added to the table in Appendix A (Open Spaces Improvement Programme) to identify whether the sources of funding for each project came from the budget allocated to play spaces or outdoor sports facilities, including details of any other external funding provided.

It was AGREED that, subject to the inclusion of an additional column to the updated Improvement Programme schedule for April 2013 to March 2024, to indicate sources of funding, the revised Open Spaces Improvement Programme for the period 2013 to 2024, attached as Appendix A to the report, be endorsed.

To consider a report by the Director of Community which proposes an extension to the current Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Community Action Fareham (CAF), pending the outcome of the review of support to the voluntary sector currently being undertaken by Hampshire County Council.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which proposed an extension to the current Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Community Action Fareham (CAF), pending the outcome of the review of support to the voluntary sector currently being undertaken by Hampshire County Council. The proposal is to extend the current Service Level Agreement (due to expire on 31 September 2013) for a further 6 months up until 31 March 2014.

A presentation was made by the Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Fareham, Mr Paul O’Beirne which informed members in more detail of the role core activities of CAF and indicated how these priorities relate to the core funding provided by the Council.  This was followed by a question and answer session in which Mr O’Beirne explained various matters referred to in the presentation and in the report in more detail.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)          Mr O’Beirne be thanked for attending and addressing members at the meeting;

(b)          members of Community Action Fareham be thanked for the work they undertake throughout  the Borough; and

(c)          the Executive be recommended to approve an extension of the Council's current Service Level Agreement with Community Action Fareham up until 31 March 2014.

To consider a report by the Director of Community which reviews the Panel’s proposed work programme for 2013/14.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community regarding the proposed work programme for 2013/14.

An enquiry was made by Councillor Mrs Trott regarding the large size of the area covered by Fareham Town Community Action Team in comparison to the size of areas covered by other area action teams in the Borough.  The Director of Community advised that all matters relating to Community Action Teams fall under the remit of the Executive Leader and not the Panel.   However, it was suggested that concerns could be raised either in a motion to Council or directly with the Executive Leader. 

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Hockley, Executive Member for Leisure and Community, spoke on this matter and advised the Panel that the Executive Leader had already been made aware of similar concerns from  other members.

It was AGREED that that the Panel’s work programme for 2013/14, as set out in Appendix A attached to the report be endorsed.