Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from 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 23 July 2014.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 23 July be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman announced that in accordance with recently set legislation, members of the public and press would be able to audio and video record all public meetings held by Fareham Borough Council.

The Panel were informed that there had been no requests to film parts of the meeting of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel but should members of the public wish to do so they must respect the wishes of other members of the public present who do not wish to be filmed.

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.

In accordance with the Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct, Councillor Englefield declared a non-pecuniary interest for minute 5 – Deputations and minute 6 – Open Spaces Improvement Programme – Play Areas and other (non-sport) Recreational Facilities as his family have signed  the petition regarding the play area at Course Park Crescent handed in by member of the public.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

The Panel received a deputation from a member of the public regarding the play equipment in the Course Park Crescent Play Area. (See item 6 below).

The Deputee was thanked accordingly for his deputation.

The Deputee handed in a petition to the Panel in relation to the play area in Course Park Crescent. The Panel acknowledged the petition, informing the resident that it would be dealt with in accordance with the Council’s scheme of petitions.

Councillor Englefield declared a Non-Pecuniary interest during this item as his family have signed the petition which has been handed in.

To consider a report by the Director of Community regarding the development of a future improvement programme for the Councils play areas and other (non-sports) recreational facilities.

At the request of the Chairman, this item was brought forward as it was concerning the deputation that was made.

Councillor Englefield declared a Non-Pecuniary interest when he addressed the Panel on this item as his family have signed the petition for Course Park Play Area that has been handed in, at item 5 above.

The Panel discussed this item taking into account the comments made by the Deputee (at item 5 above). All members agreed that the play area at Course Park Crescent was in need of updating or replacing but acknowledged that there are others in the Borough that are in a similar condition. The Panel were informed that all 45 play areas in the Borough are to be assessed over the next 6 months and a programme of planned works for these play areas will be brought to the Panel in March 2015.

Councillor Mrs Pankhurst asked if there had been developer contributions paid as part of the planning application for Fragorum Fields development, which could be used for redevelopment of the play area. The Director of Community addressed the Panel to confirm that he would make enquires into the planning consent and would report back to members.

Members also agreed it was important to establish whether the play equipment in each play area was appropriate for the ages of the children who use the facility. Officers informed the Panel that this would be taken into consideration when each play area is assessed.

It was AGREED that the updated Open Spaces Improvement Programme – Play Areas and other (Non Sport) Recreational Facilities, attached as Appendix A of the report, be endorsed.

To receive a presentation by the Director of Community which provides an update on the project to provide a new swimming pool and associated leisure facilities in the western wards.

The Panel received a verbal presentation by the Director of Community on the progress to the Western Wards Swimming Pool.

He informed that Panel that the project is still in the early stages, and that the first priority was to engage a design and build Construction Company, which has now been completed and the company appointed is Balfour Beatty.

The Panel were also informed that a Project Management Company has now been appointed who will be tasked with controlling costs and timings of the project and managing risks. The company appointed to this is Baqus PLC. In addition to this R P T Consultancy have been selected as the Leisure Consultancy Advisor and will deal with Leisure Management, which will include input into the design on the new facility, and the appointment of the operator of the new building.

Members were shown a sketch of the proposed new building and were informed that the architect is now preparing the detailed design and cost estimates.

It is hoped that proposed design will be able to go out to public consultation in October/November 2014.

It was AGREED that the Director of Community be thanked for his informative presentation.

To consider a report by the Director of Community concerning the updated improvement programme for the Council’s outdoor sports facilities for the period April 2014 to March 2024.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which reviewed the outdoor sports facilities improvement programme.

Members were provided with further updates to progress of works outlined within the report. Members were pleased to note that the works to improve Bath Lane changing rooms is due to start the following Monday, and that works to Park Lane recreation ground are due to start within 2 weeks. Members were informed that at present the works to Park Lane Recreation Ground will be the new skate park and the outdoor gym equipment, but the new play area is unlikely to be installed until spring 2015, with the current play area remaining in place until then.

Officers were commended for the works that are underway and those that have been completed on Bath lane Recreation Ground.

It was AGREED that the Improvement Programme for 2013 to 2024, attached as Appendix A to the report, be endorsed.

To consider a report by the Director of Community regarding the Leisure Strategy 2014 to 2019.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community on a review of the Leisure Strategy.

At the Invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Hockley, Executive Member for Leisure and Community addressed the Panel on this item.

Members discussed this item at length and requested several wording changes to the Leisure Strategy:

·         To remove the word ‘reasonable’ from the 5 paragraph on page 5;

·         To add a statement explaining the term sustainable into the first paragraph on page 7; and

·         To reword the last bullet point on how healthy is Fareham, to make the priorities clearer.

Councillor Knight addressed the Panel on this item and requested that greater promotion be given to Bursledon Brickworks, which although does not fall under the remit of Fareham Borough Council does provide local history for the Borough. He also requested that Fareham push for more cycle routes within the Borough. He informed Officers that a cycle route for Hill Head has already been put together. Lastly he addressed the Panel on the issue of Beach Huts, which is under the responsibility of the Policy & Resources Executive portfolio. He put forward a recommendation that the Panel request that the responsibility be passed to the Leisure and Community portfolio as he felt that the Policy & Resources portfolio only looked at the issue of Beach Huts from a financial view point and the Leisure and Community portfolio would address the wider issues concerning beach huts.

It was AGREED that the Panel recommended to the Executive that:-

a)    the responsibility for Beach Huts be moved from the Policy & Resources Executive portfolio to the Leisure and Community portfolio;

b)    notes the comments made by Councillor Knight in relation to Bursledon Brickworks and cycle routes; and

c)    the revised Leisure Strategy for 2014 to 2019, subject to the amended wording suggested by Members, attached as Appendix A to the report, be approved for implementation.

To consider a report by the Director of Community which updates members on the work and findings of the Ferneham Hall Member and Officer Working Group

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community on the findings of the Ferneham Hall Member and Officer Working Group.

Members noted that the deficit has decreased since last year.

It was explained to the Panel that the main point of the review was to identify opportunities to reduce the current budget deficit. The review concluded that the venue had capacity to accommodate a ,much greater volume of use and this could be achieved with a move away from the traditional focus on arts and entertainment towards a more broader community use. Members expressed approval for the new simplified pricing structure and the flexibility to vary prices as they felt that this would encourage more use of the facilities by organisations or groups who would have previously overlooked the venue as they felt it was too costly.

Members were shown the newly designed website with the new branding which was designed for a fresh new approach for the venue and to have an appeal to a wider market. Members praised its appearance and ease of use. They agreed that effective promoting and marketing is paramount to ensure the continued viability of Ferneham Hall.

Several members passed praise the General Manager of Ferneham Hall for the welcome reception that he and his staff give to visitors to the venue, which helps make peoples visit to the venue a pleasurable one and would help to encourage people to revisit again in the future.

Members agreed with the priority listing on page 60 of the report but agreed that the redecorations to the main toilets should be a higher priority.

It was AGREED that the Panel recommends to the Executive:-

a)     the key measures highlighted within the report be implemented as part of a coordinated effort to increase income with the aim of reducing the Ferneham Hall budget deficit; and

b)    The priority areas for investment as set out in the table on page 60 of the report, subject to the raising of the priority of the toilet refurbishment.

To consider a report by the Director of Community which reviews the Panel’s proposed work programme for 2014/15.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which reviewed the Panel’s work programme for 2014/15.

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

Members noted the revision to the work programme to move the presentation on Broadlaw walk Community Group to the November meeting.

Following the report and deputation on play area refurbishments, it was requested that a report be added to the 4 March 2015 meeting to provide an update on the progress of this. It was suggested to members that in addition to this site visits to all 45 play areas be included in the current unallocated item ‘Visit by Panel members to Community Centres and other community facilities in the Borough’.

It was AGREED that the work programme for 2014/15, subject to the inclusion of the report on Play Areas Refurbishment Programme be added to the March meeting, as attached as Appendix A of the report, be approved.