Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received for this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 27 July 2016.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 27 July 2016 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman acknowledged the tour of various leisure and community sites within the Borough that Member’s went on today.  All Members agreed they enjoyed the tour and found it very useful. 

The Chairman thanked the organisers of the tour which was reiterated by the Members.

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 petition of over 100 signatures which has been submitted to the Council, requesting a Skate Park at Long Acres in Park Gate.

A petition comprising over 100 signatures has been received requesting a Skate Park at Long Acres in Park Gate.

Members discussed this Petition and the site which is a small play area.  It was raised that a Skate Park is already in existence in Abshot Road which is within walking distance of Long Acres and that, at this time, there would be no consideration of a Skate Park at Long Acres due to the close proximity of another one.  It was agreed that the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services will write to the Petitioner explaining the decision at this time.

An open discussion between the Panel and other Members following the tour of the boroughs leisure and community facilities, which is to take place prior to the meeting.

A discussion was held following the tour by Members throughout the day of leisure and community facilities across the Borough.  All Members agreed the visits had been useful and they were pleased to have seen the new Holly Hill Leisure Centre and surrounding open space. A question was raised about the opening date for the Centre and although there is no confirmed date, this is likely to be towards the end of September 2016.  An official opening will then follow.

Discussion followed about the work of the Coldeast Volunteers and the transformation to the pond and surrounding area within the past year.  Looking forward, progress will be made on the community orchard and the network of paths which will go through the woodland area. 

Members commented that we have so much open space but a small number of Rangers and whether consideration could be given to funding another Ranger.  The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services highlighted the excellent work of the Rangers and many volunteers across the Borough who compliment this work.  Discussion took place about an existing temporary Ranger post and whether consideration could be given to making this a permanent post. The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services stated that this would not be considered unless there was an obvious need, and the current arrangements are proving to be very effective and  discussions are ongoing  about the potential of combining some maintenance work with the Streetscene team.

To receive a presentation from the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services on the Community Grant Awards.

The Panel received a presentation of the Leisure and Community Manager in respect of changes to the Community Grant Scheme whereby the CATS Funding monies and Matched Funding are now combined, creating the Community Fund which has streamlined and simplified the process for applying and processing grant applications for everyone involved.

The presentation highlighted how funding applications are considered in terms of the longevity of the group and how they will continue to fund activities in the future, what financial contribution the group can make alongside FBC funding from, for example, other external funding streams. Accounts are scrutinised and the funding must be for a purpose that involves the wider community.

The presentation outlined the close working between Officers, the applicant group and Ward Councillors throughout the application process. This continues once funding is approved, not only to ensure monies are spent, with the opportunity for a return of any funds if there is an underspend, but also to see the improvements made for the benefit of the community.  Auditing also takes place together with the signing of a Community Fund Use Agreement to ensure the return or recovery of monies. 

Members discussed the auditing aspect of the Grants and the role of the Ward Councillor; the expectations that groups should contribute either financially or otherwise, for example, by providing labour, to show commitment; and how the application stage of the process looks in some details at available monies groups have access to that could be used to fund their project.

The Leisure and Community Manager was thanked for her presentation.

To receive a verbal update from the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services on the Westbury Manor Re-Modelling.

The Panel received a presentation from the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services in respect of the proposed changes to the Westbury Manor Museum.

The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services outlined the proposed changes to each floor and how the changes will bring an interactive visitor experience to the whole building in a change to the existing Museum layout where café and exhibits are separate.

Comments of interested parties have been taken on board and there will be separate office and restroom space for staff and volunteers.  The ground floor will see a room available for community use; a larger café area; and a more open feel to the outside of the museum. On the first floor it is envisaged there will be open display cases and more interactive opportunities.  The second floor will house two studios for arts and cultural focussed start-up businesses; storage space; and office/restroom space.

The timetable of works schedules the Museum to close in January 2017 with reopen due June 2017.

The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services was thanked for his presentation.

To consider a report by the Director of Operations which reviews the Panel’s proposed Work Programme for 2016/17.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Operations which reviews the Panels proposed Work Programme for 2016/17.

Members requested that a verbal update be given to the 18 January 2017 meeting in respect of the first three months since opening of the new Holly Hill Leisure Centre.

It was AGREED that:

(a)  the Panel note the revisions to the work programme:-

(i)            the Open Spaces Improvement Programme has moved to the November meeting; and

(ii)          two items were added to the September meeting, Community Grant Awards and Long Acre Skate Park

(b)   with the addition of an update on the Holly Hill Leisure Centre being added to the 18 January 2017 meeting, the Panel approve the current Work Programme for 2016/17.