Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor F Burgess arrived late to the meeting due to extenuating circumstances. Councillor Mrs P Bryant Chaired the meeting until the Chairman took her seat during item 6.

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors Mrs L E Clubley and Mrs S M Bayford.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Leisure and Community  Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 06 February 2024.

RESOLVED that the Minutes from the Leisure and Community Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 06 February 2024 be signed and confirmed as a correct record.

The Chairman made the following announcement about the recent D-Day 80 Event at Daedalus -

Building on the success of previous commemorative events, Daedalus 100 and D-Day 75, on the weekend of the 8th and 9th June, Monseratt Events CIC, on behalf of the Council delivered Daedalus D-Day 80. A ticketed event to commemorate the 80^th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy that led to the liberation of France and Europe.

The event included field gun runs, marching bands, living history re-enactments, live entertainment and a funfair. Regional City Airports (RCA) also co-ordinated a static and flying display, including a fly-past by the Red Arrows on the Saturday.

A total of 16,000 tickets were sold over the two days.  

Officers will be having a ‘wash-up’ meeting with the event organisers in the coming weeks.

I would like to pass on my thanks to Monseratt Events, RCA and to all the volunteers that helped to deliver the D-Day 80 event at Solent Airport.

To receive and declarations of interest from Members in accordance with the 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.

No declarations of interest were received at the meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

No deputations were received at the meeting.

To receive a presentation providing an overview of the Leisure and Community Portfolio and functions of the Scrutiny Panel.

The Panel received a presentation from the Leisure and Community Manager which provided an overview of the functions and role of the Leisure and Community Scrutiny Panel. The presentation also provided details of the responsibility within the Leisure and Community Portfolio as well as an update on all the current Leisure and Community projects, including Fareham Live.

Councillor F Burgess joined the meeting during the delivery of the presentation.

Members were delighted to see the progress being made in the construction of the new Fareham Live  - community, arts and entertainment venue, with Officers confirming that things are on track for the venue to be ready to receive its first paying guests at the beginning of October. Before the official opening, a programme of tours and ‘soft openings’ are to be arranged.

Members of the Panel enquired about the Ashcroft Arts Centre, asking if conversations had taken place between the Hampshire Cultural Trust and Trafalgar Theaters, to relocate users of the Arts Centre to Fareham Live, when it closes later this year. The Assistant Director (Democracy) explained that the consultation has been delayed due to the General Election. It is hoped that this process will continue as soon as possible.

All Members of the Panel continued to ask questions for clarification on a number of topics included within the detailed presentation, including; Youth Services in Portchester, Padel Tennis proposals on open space adjacent to Fareham Leisure Centre, and the Councils 5-year Play Area Improvement Programme.

During discussions on the Padel Tennis proposals, the Panel resolved to go into private session to allow information on the confidential Financial Proposals, included within the 04 March 2024 Executive report to be discussed. No Members of the Press or Public were present at the meeting however Members were made aware of the confidential elements of the report.

RESOLVED that the Panel note the contents of the presentation.

To consider any items of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel, that falls under the remit of Leisure and Community  Portfolio. This will include any decisions taken by individual Members during the same time period.

Member of the Panel were asked to consider the items of Executive Business.

Discussions for this item took place during Item 6 – Leisure and Community Portfolio Overview.

No comments or questions of clarification were received.

No comments or questions of clarification were received.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the Scrutiny Panel priorities for Leisure and Community.

The Panel were asked to consider the Scrutiny Priorities for the Leisure and Community Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED that Members considered the priorities for the Panel.