Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Mrs S Bayford.  

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Leisure and Community  Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 14 November 2023.

RESOLVED that the Minutes from the Leisure and Community Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 14 November 2023 be signed and confirmed as a correct record.

The Chairman made the following announcement:

A petition is currently live on the ePetitions page of the Council’s website, asking the Council to step in and work with Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Cultural Trust, the Ashcroft Arts Centre, and residents in finding a solution to keep the Ashcroft Arts Centre open.

The Chairman invited the Assistant Director (Democracy) to give the following update on that petition:

The petition has 211 signatures to date, although these names have not yet been verified as living, working or studying in the Borough. The end date for the petition has been logged as 2 March 2024 and Democratic Services Officers have attempted to make contact with the lead petitioner to advise that this date may be too late to submit the completed petition as it will be after the date that the County Council will have set their budget. As we have not yet heard back from the lead petitioner, we are unable to change the end date of the petition.

In light of the conflicting dates, the appropriate course of action is for the Executive Member for Leisure & Community to write to the lead petitioner to set out the Council’s priorities with regard to Fareham Live which will provide a community, arts and entertainment venue in the town centre and to assure the petitioners that every effort is already being made to offer relocation to the various clubs and community groups currently utilising Ashcroft Arts Centre.

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.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at the meeting.

To receive a presentation from the Assistant Director (Democracy) outlining the progress of all the current projects that fall within the remit of the Leisure and Community Portfolio.

The Panel received a report along with a supporting presentation from the Assist Director (Democracy) which provided an overview of all the current projects within the Leisure and Community Portfolio. This way of reporting was trailed at the last meeting and due to its success will become a standard item on the Leisure and Community Scrutiny Panel agendas.

A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.

Members of the Panel asked for assurances that the Fareham Live operator, Trafalgar Entertainment, will begin dialogue with the Ashcroft Arts Centre to ensure those community groups and organisations can be accommodated when the Ashcroft closes later this year. Officers confirmed that these discussions are already taking place as the intention for Fareham Live has always been to provide a Community hub with a well-balanced programme.

Members enquired about the exterior brickwork at Fareham Live which has become a concern for residents due the patchy appearance. Officers explained that with all new buildings there is a drying process and that the bricks would be cleaned before the building is formally handed back to the Council, once construction is complete.

Concerns were raised by the Panel with regards to the artifacts and records located at the Westbury Manor Museum, which due to Hampshire County Councils funding cuts, will also be closing later this year. Officers reassured Members that discussions are scheduled to take place between Hampshire Cultural Trust, who currently operate the Museum, and the Council, to consider where possible, the valuable local items that help tell the history of Fareham remain accessible to Fareham residents.

RESOLVED that the Panel notes the contents of the report and supporting 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.

The Panel were asked to consider the items of Executive Business since the last meeting.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

No comments were received.

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

Members of the Panel were asked to consider the Scrutiny Priorities for the Leisure and Community Portfolio.

The Assistant Director (Democracy) addressed the Panel to provide details of the various workstreams within the Leisure and Community Portfolio and reminded Members that their suggestions on topics they wish to bring to future Panel meetings are very welcome.

Members suggested that an update on the Community Centre Condition Survey be brought to a future meeting of the Panel furthermore, as mentioned at the last meeting, an update on the performance of the Fareham Town Centre Shopmobility services also be provided. Officers confirmed that both these items will be brought to meetings within the next municipal year.

RESOLVED that the Panel considered the priority for the Leisure and Community Scrutiny Panel.