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 3 June 2015.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 3 June 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Councillor Miss Bell, Executive Member for Leisure and Community and Councillor Mandry who were attending the meeting to participate in the item on ‘open discussion about other potential leisure and community projects and policies’.

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 consider a report by the Director of Community which reviews the Panel’s proposed Work Programme for 2015/16.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Community which reviewed the Panel’s work programme for 2015/16.

It was AGREED that the work programme for 2015/16 be approved.

An open discussion between the Panel and other Members on other potential Leisure and Community projects and policies that the Panel could include on the work programme for 2015/16.

The Panel took part in an open discussion regarding the current leisure and community projects and priorities and other potential ones that the Panel could include in the work programme.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Miss Bell Executive Member for Leisure and Community and Councillor Mandry addressed the Panel on this item.

The Head of Leisure and Community started the discussion by outlining all the areas that come under the Leisure and Community portfolio, the available budget, current priorities and capital projects. The service areas included:

·         Sports and Recreation

·         Community Development

·         Play Provision

·         Community Buildings

·         Cultural Facilities

·         Town Centre Events

·         Countryside and Foreshore

The Panel acknowledged that the Leisure team is one of the smallest sections in the Council and yet deliver a large scope of services. The Panel expressed their praise for all officers whose hard work ensures that the Council can continue to deliver such a wide range of Leisure & Community provision.

Members discussed what provision they considered were the most important to residents and whether there were any provision that could be withdrawn. Members were informed that the only statutory service the Council has to provide is the allotments service.

Members felt that all the current leisure & community provision provided by the Council were important and that there was no service that could be withdrawn that wouldn’t affect the residents of the Borough.

Members then discussed what gaps they considered there were in the current leisure and community provision in the Borough, and what items they would like to tackle in the future, whilst taking into account the financial pressures on the Council and other services that provide support for leisure and community facilities. The Panel agreed on a list of future priorities that they felt needed to be addressed:

·         Revenue funding for Youth Provision

·         Sponsorship to help reduce budget pressures

·         External funding to provide new activities and facilities

·         Volunteers to assist with the delivery of the service

·         Additional Countryside Ranger

·         Future budget for maintenance of leisure and community facilities

The Panel was thanked for all of its efforts and input.