Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 5 November 2014.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 5 November 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed Andy Kennedy from Y Services and Paul O’Beirne from Community Action Fareham to the 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.

The Panel received a deputation from Mrs Christina Inman regarding play areas.

Mrs Inman was thanked accordingly for her deputation.

To receive a presentation from the Leisure Projects Officer on a review of all Play Areas within the Borough.

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

The Panel received a presentation from the Leisure Projects Officer who gave an overview of the play areas that Fareham is currently responsible for and the equipment provided. Details were provided on the Play Area Review which took place last October-December 2014, and included all of Council Play Areas. The review involved each play area being visited and assessed, to identify the current condition and the usage of the play area, and to identify where there is a demand for new provision. Social media was used to raise awareness about the review to gain an understanding of what matters to local residents. Ward Councillors were consulted on the findings from the review in respect of all of the play areas in their respective wards.

Once the review was complete the results were put into a 3 year priority improvement programme, which will include those sites which need replacement equipment or a mini makeover (painting of equipment). Also drafted is a 10 year plan which will include all of the 43 play areas, and will be for refurbishments or the installation of additional equipment. The Panel was also told that they are looking at the possibility of installing (where possible) accessible play equipment which can be accessed by children in wheelchair or who have disability as currently there is only one play area in the borough that has this equipment.

The Chairman asked if there was enough funding for all of the projects identified. The Leisure Projects Officer confirmed that there is enough funding for the first 3 years of the programme, as this is being funded from the section 106 developer contributions collected by the Council. After this there is no definite funding in place but talks are on-going with the Finance to work out how this can be achieved.

Councillor Price commented that he did not feel that there should be dual purpose litter bins inside play areas as it encourages people with dogs to enter the play areas to dispose of their dog waste. The Leisure Projects Officer explained that they are working closely with the Streetscene department and as part of the review they have been looking at the relocation of the litter bins to just outside the fenced play area.

Councillor Englefield referred to the deputation made by Mrs Inman in minute 5 above, and enquired as to whether there was scope within the review to consider the proposal of a new play area on the Boat Estate, Warsash. The Leisure Projects Officer confirmed that as part of the review this would be investigated.

It was AGREED that the Leisure Projects Officer be thanked for all of her hard work with the review and for putting together the 3 year and 10 year plan.

To receive a presentation from Y Services.

The Panel received a presentation from Andy Kennedy, the Chairman of local youth work charity, Y Services for Young People (Y Services), on how the charity has progressed and strengthened in the last two years the challenges ahead for them.

The Panel was informed that the aim of Y Services is to match good youth workers to projects and communities that need an effective youth work input.

An overview of the set-up of the charity was provided and since the charity was registered in 2012, the number of evening sessions available to young people has increased from 13 evening sessions per week to 20 evening sessions per week. In addition, this is also supported by 48 day sessions. However due to the recent consultation proposals from Hampshire County Council, it is likely the amount of funding provided for youth services will be substantially reduced. As a consequence it is likely that the sessions will reduce to 5 evening sessions a week.

Members enquired as to how much HCC is proposing to reduce the funding allocation for Fareham by. Andy Kennedy explained that the funding received in 2009 was £281,000 and in 2011 the funding was reduced to £125,285.  HCC has confirmed that the proposed funding allocation for Fareham in 2015/16 will be £30,000. Councillor Price proposed that the Council investigate possible additional funding either from the Council or other sources, to assist Y Services to continue with their successful projects. All members agreed that the proposed funding allocations are extremely low and will have a negative impact on the young people in the Borough.

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

It was AGREED that:-

(a)  Andy Kennedy be thanked for his informative presentation;

(b)  the Council look into the possibility of providing or sourcing additional funding for youth services.

To consider a report by the Director of Community on the changes in the funding arrangements for Community Action Fareham.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community on the changes to funding arrangements for Community Action Fareham (CAF) and sets out the Council’s new grant funding arrangements from April 2015.

The report outlined Hampshire County Council’s proposal to change the focus of the funding and also proposed a reduction in the funding provided for Community Voluntary Services (CVS).  In light of these changes the Council is also proposing a new process for awarding the funding that it provides to CAF. It is suggested that Fareham’s funding will now focus on three key areas that will meet the needs of Community Groups and Organisations in the Borough. These 3 keys targets are; volunteering & skill exchange, funding advice & support and governance & community resilience.

It was AGREED that the content of the report be noted.

To receive a presentation from Community Action Fareham on Supporting Local Community Needs.

The Panel received a presentation from Paul O’Bernie from Community Action Fareham on the work of the organisation and how they propose to support community groups and organisations in Fareham, as funded by Fareham Borough Council (FBC) and Hampshire County Council (HCC).

He outlined the current situation for Community Action Fareham and the challenges that face them with the changes to funding.

He explained that the funding from Hampshire County Council is now to be shared between Fareham and Gosport CVS’s who are being asked to operate as a local ‘Cluster’. Discussions between Fareham and Gosport CVS (Community Voluntary Service) are due to take place by mid-February. The consideration of a merger was discussed but Gosport CVS have stated they are not interested in merging the two organisations.

Councillor Price enquired as to why Fareham Borough Council’s grant is not replicating the two year time period that HCC have set out. The Director of Community explained that the services that HCC have commissioned is very different from the objectives that FBC are proposing be supported by a grant, therefore there is no need to match HCC’s time period. He also explained that the time period has been set to allow officers to review the funding after a year to see if it is working and if not then it can be amended.

The Chairman addressed the Panel and explained that now is a time for change. The County have chosen what their funding will be used for and the Council has set specific targets for the use of their funding locally and how it will support the local community in Fareham. Members supported the proposal for funding from FBC, as put forward by Officers.

It was AGREED that Paul O’Bernie be thanked for his presentation.

To consider a report by the Director of Community which preliminary reviews the Panel’s  work programme for 2014/15 and looks at the draft work programme for 2015/16.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which gave a preliminary review of the 2014/15 work programme and the 2015/16 work programme.

The Chairman reminded members of the planned Leisure and Community tour that is being arranged for 4 March 2015. A draft programme for the day is currently being prepared and once details have been confirmed they will be circulated to all members.

The Director of Community explained to members that at the next meeting of the Panel in March members will be asked to agree to the draft work programme for 2015/16 and therefore if they have any suggestions for next year’s work programme to inform officers before the next meeting.

Councillor Mrs Bryant requested that an update on he Western Wards Pool and Leisure Centre be included onto the 2015/16 work programme.

It was AGREED that the work programme for 2014/15 as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved.