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BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2008
PRESENT: Mr J A B Long – Chairman
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Mrs S P Clarke
Mr B D Hurren
Mrs M O Munson
Mr A F D W Osborne |
Mr J R A Sayers
Mrs C A Todd
Mr D L Wood |
Mr M Newman was unable to be present.
Mr G S White, member of the Board of the South Suffolk Leisure Trust, attended the meeting for the relevant part of the item referred to in Minute No.37 below and spoke on the item with the consent of the Chairman.
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33 Declaration of Interests
34 Minutes
35 Petitions
36 Questions from Members
37 Community Development Partnerships
38 Work Plan
Mr B D Hurren declared a personal interest in the item referred to in Minute No.37 below, by virtue of the fact that he is a member of the Management Board of The Quay Theatre, Sudbury, but indicated that he was able to speak and vote on the matter concerned.
Mrs M O Munson referred to her membership of the Hadleigh and District Swimming Pool Trust Committee in relation to the South Suffolk Leisure Annual Report (Minute No 37 refers).
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 August 2008 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None received.
None received.
The Head of Community Development introduced Paper H119 detailing the progress and work of three partnerships managed within the Community Development Division namely South Suffolk Leisure, Active South Suffolk and The Quay Theatre, Sudbury.
South Suffolk Leisure
Paul Little, Community Safety and Leisure Manager, presented the South Suffolk Leisure Annual Report for 2007/08 (Appendix A to Paper H119) and together with Adrian Shorten, SSL Business and Finance Manager, and Tracey Copping, SSL interim Chief Executive, answered Members’ questions on various issues including the following:-
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The possible extension of the facilities at Kingfisher Leisure Centre. In this connection, Members noted that proposals to extend the existing provision are currently on hold because the project plans did not meet the Council’s requirements to be cost neutral. However work is continuing to identify affordable ways in which new facilities could be provided both within the existing building and through developing new opportunities with partners and the local community.
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The operation of the existing facilities/arrangements at Kingfisher Leisure Centre, including changing rooms; car parking; involvement of User Groups; use of Forums/non user surveys.
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In relation to the Trust’s progress in meeting the new set of performance indicators which focus on key outcomes from Babergh’s current Corporate Objectives, Members noted the work being carried out to obtain a more detailed breakdown of the use of the Kingfisher Leisure Centre and Hadleigh Pool by various groups.
Active South Suffolk
Paul Little, Community Safety and Leisure Manager, presented the Active South Suffolk Action Plan for 2008/09 (Appendix B to Paper H119) and answered Members’ questions. The following were among the points raised during the discussion:-
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It was recognised that there are still geographical gaps in provision to be addressed and a need to disseminate information more widely about initiatives such as the GP referral scheme.
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Members welcomed the increase in the levels of participation in the Summer Activities programme for young people and noted that officers had changed to a more targeted approach to address the problems this year in publicising these events.
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Members noted the reasons for the East Bergholt School swimming pool being closed and were advised that efforts continued to seek a solution to the problems of securing community access to such facilities.
The Quay Theatre, Sudbury
Robert Benton, Chief Executive Officer of The Quay Theatre, presented his report (Appendix C to Paper H119) which was circulated to Members at the meeting. He then answered Members’ questions on the report and the following were among the points noted:-
- The Quay continues to look at ways to cut costs but is also aware of the need to increase its publicity and look at new ways to bring in people and funding. In this connection there are plans to produce “Mini Q’s” in addition to the current “Big Q” in order to advertise ahead; the balance between “popular” and “other” films shown has been adjusted; a new group “Quay Fundraisers” has been formed.
- A survey carried out last year confirmed that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the structure of the building, but it was recognised that certain areas are in need of some attention.
RESOLVED
That the contents of Paper H119 be noted.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper H120) which provided details of the Committee’s anticipated work for the remainder of 2008/09, including items as referred to in the Appendix to the report that might be the subject of call-in procedures. He confirmed that the joint meeting with Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee will go ahead on 9 December 2008.
RESOLVED
That the work plan submitted as Paper H120 be noted.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 11.40 a.m.
Chairman
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