Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor N R Gregory.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 15 January 2014.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel meeting on 15 January 2014 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 by the Leisure Development Manager which  updates the Panel on the Park Lane Vision.

(Minute 6 of 5 September 2012 refers)

The Committee received a presentation from the Leisure Projects Officer which updated the Panel on the proposed future development proposals for the Park Lane Recreation Ground.  These proposals included:-

·         a new children’s play area

·         a new skate park facility;

·         provision of outdoor fitness equipment;

·         a floodlit multi-sports facility ; and

·         landscaping and planting improvements.

Information was provided on the progress to date regarding public consultation, development of a site plan, planting plan and maintenance programme and the establishment of officer working groups. It was noted that this project has provided an opportunity to engage with local community groups and schools and encourage community participation.  Each of the proposed facilities were explained in more detail and further information provided about the landscaping and   planting schemes.

It was reported that local residents will be contacted to update them on the proposals and information provided on the Council’s website. A public consultation event/exhibition  has been arranged for Saturday 14 June 2014 with illustrative display boards available for the public to view.   Implementation of Phase 1 of the leisure improvements ie. development of  the skatepark, play area and outdoor gym, was expected to commence in September 2014.  Implementation of the landscaping and planting schemes were expected to follow in autumn/winter 2014 and it was suggested that it might be helpful if the Horticulture Development Officer attended a future Panel meeting to give more  detailed information about  the landscaping/planting proposals.

Members asked a variety of questions about the proposals to which officers replied.   In response to a question from Councillor Price regarding the arrangements for the public exhibition in June, the Panel was advised that the interpretation boards will be on display for a period of time at Fareham Leisure Centre and Ferneham Hall and images will also be displayed on the Council Connect  located  in Fareham shopping centre.

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It was AGREED that the Leisure Projects Officer be thanked for her informative presentation and that the Panel fully supports this worthwhile project.

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

The Panel considered a report the Director of Community which updated members with details regarding the performance of Fareham Leisure Centre.  Information in the report covered four key areas:-

(i)            The outcome of the contract monitoring since this was last reported to the Panel in March 2012;

(ii)          The continuous improvement plan;

(iii)         Details of income and expenditure for the Leisure Centre for the financial year 2012/13; and

(iv)         a brief summary of attendances for the current year of the contract.

The Leisure Development Manager answered members’ questions on various matters relating to the operation of the Leisure Centre.  It was agreed that officers would send copies of the artist’ impressions of the wet-side improvements to Councillor Price as he had been unable to attend the meeting on 15 January 2014 when the Panel had received a presentation on this matter. Further, in reply to a question from Councillor Price, members were informed that any Panel member would be welcome to accompany the Leisure Development Manager on a routine contract monitoring visit in order to observe what the monitoring process entails specifically and to have a general tour of the building. 

It was AGREED that the information contained in the report be noted and that members endorsed the view that overall Fareham Leisure Centre continues to be effectively managed, that significant improvements have and are to be made to the Centre and that it provides an excellent service to the community.

To consider a report by the Director of Community which reviews the Panel’s work programme for the current year 2013/14 and gives preliminary consideration to a draft work programme for 2014/15.

The Panel considered a report the Director of Community which reviewed the outcomes from the Panel’s work programme for the current year, 2013/14 and the draft work programme for 2014/15 (attached as appendix D to the report).

Members were reminded that because the Annual Council meeting does not take place until late May, the Panel meeting scheduled for 14 May 2014 falls within the current municipal year.   The first meeting of the new municipal year will therefore take place on 23 July 2014.

In the circumstances, it was proposed that:-

(i)            the meeting scheduled for 14 May 2014 be cancelled, subject to there being no urgent item of business to be dealt with, and

(ii)          the introductory presentation on the role of the Leisure and Community PD and R Panel, which is normally made to members at the first meeting of the municipal year, be added to the work programme for the meeting on 23 July 2014 instead.

The following further amendments to the proposed work programme for 2014/15 were also reported:-

Meeting on 23 July 2014

·         the item Leisure Strategy Review be moved to the meeting on 3 September 2014;

·         the item Review of Community Buildings Draft Master Plan to be  moved from 3 September 2014 meeting and added to the work programme for this meeting.

Meeting on 3 September 2014

·         replace the Park Lane Vision Master Plan – Presentation with a Presentation from Broadlaw Walk Community Group;

·         add the item on Leisure Strategy Review (as referred to above).

It was AGREED that:-

(a)          subject to there being no urgent item of business to be dealt with, the

Panel meeting scheduled to take place on 14 May 2014 be cancelled,;

(b)          the outcomes from matters considered at Panel meetings from May 2013 up until January 2014, contained in Appendix B, be noted;

(c)          subject to the revisions noted above, the Panels work programme for 2014/15 be endorsed; and

(d)          the Panel’s proposed  work programme for 2014/15, attached to these minutes as Appendix A,  be submitted to the Council for endorsement.

APPENDIX A

LEISURE & COMMUNITY POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW PANEL - PROPOSED WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2014/15