COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & LEISURE COMMITTEE
28 June 2001
(12.30 – 6.45pm)
PRESENT: Councillors J. Rosenstiel (Chair),
Benstead, Callaghan, Knowles, Levison, M Schofield, Talbot and Taylor. Councillor Hipkin as alternate member
attended for Councillor Ellis-Miller.
FOR THE
INFORMATION OF THE COUNCIL
01/d/36 MINUTES
The minutes of
the meeting held on 8 March 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed
by the Chair.
01/d/37 APOLOGIES
Apologies for
absence were received from Councillors Ellis-Miller and Reed.
01/d/38 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
The following Code of Conduct (non-financial) interests were declared:-
Councillor Benstead (minute reference 01/d/52) as a user of Kings Hedges Learner Pool.
Councillors Benstead, Hipkin, Levison and Schofield (01/d/52) as Council observers on The Junction
Councillor Talbot (01/d/52) because of a relative employed at Parkside Pools
Councillor Callaghan (01/d/50) as a Trustee of Ethnic Community Forum
Councillor Rosenstiel (01/d/50) as she had been on a computer training course through her employer run by CCVS which was applying for funding in relation to this training.
01/d/39 PUBLIC
QUESTION TIME
See under minutes 01/d/49, 51,
52 and 53.
01/d/40 BEST
VALUE REVIEW OF ARTS – THE CORN EXCHANGE, MARKETING & PROMOTIONS AND
COMMUNITY ARTS
The Committee received a presentation from the Council’s consultants
based on a report which had been circulated with the agenda (and interleaved
with these minutes). The Chair and members of the Committee in discussing the
three Best Value reports commended the officers for the work which had gone in
to producing the documents. The
Committee noted that the FSR & Audit Working Party at its meeting on 5 June
had welcomed the conclusions of the reports.
In response to questions it was noted that the number of summer shows
had already increased on last year and further increases were achievable. In addition, as the summer programme
developed, so would the opportunity for increased community use. There was a balance to strike between budget
targets and becoming ‘too populist’ and the officers were mindful of this. In response to a request from Councillor
Knowles, the officers undertook to resolve immediately the improvements to
poster boards suggested on page 41.
The Chair suggested that other council services, for example the
Leisurecard, should be promoted at
events organised by Marketing & Promotions. The officers agreed that this could be done to some extent
immediately and would be developed further during consideration of a corporate
marketing and promotion role for the Council.
Councillor Talbot tabled the following amendment during consideration of
this review:
'insert
after 2.5: Consideration be given, during
the restructuring of Marketing and Promotions and the Corn Exchange and the
Best Value FSR of Community Development, to transferring to Community Arts some
or all of the small half term activities with children and young people and
work with the elderly currently provided by Marketing and Promotions.'
The Chair and members of the Liberal Democrat Group stated that the issue would be noted by the officers but were of the view that it was not appropriate to accept formally the amendment in advance of the BVR of Community Development and the adoption of an Arts Strategy.
The amendment was lost by 3 votes to 6.
Councillors Talbot and Benstead referred the matter to City Board.
On
discussion related to the Arts Theatre and the letter from the Director, the
Committee agreed that officers should have discussions on future closer
working, but should not pursue a formal merger between the Arts Theatre and the
Corn Exchange at present.
1) That the Council should continue to provide and fund the discretionary
services of Community Arts, the Corn Exchange and Marketing & Promotions.
2) That an Arts Strategy, as outlined in paragraph 3.6, be developed and
reported back for Committee approval in spring 2002.
3)
To agree that
the focus of Community Arts should be on using the arts to deliver community
development objectives.
4) That the role that Community Arts plays in community development and the
level of resourcing needed to allow it to achieve this be looked at further as
part of the BVFSR of Community Development in 2002/3.
5) That the restructuring together of the Corn Exchange
and Marketing & Promotions be agreed in principle and the Director of
Central Services be asked to work up the detail of this (including the future
of the currently vacant post of Corn Exchange Director) for agreement by
members. (This would be dealt with by consulting the Chair and spokes, as
provided for in Standing Orders -
Appendix D para. 14 - rather than by
reporting back to committee).
6) That the officers be asked to investigate the Council having a discrete
corporate marketing role (including how this could be funded) and report back
to City Board in November 2001.
7) That the three BVFSR outcome reports be received and the Service
Improvement Plans endorsed.
8) That officers have further discussions with the Arts Theatre about more
formal closer working between the Theatre and the Corn Exchange but
should not pursue a formal merger at present..
9) That the Arts Services Strategic Action Plan (set out in Appendix 1 to
the report) be approved.
01/d/ 41 HOLOCAUST
MEMORIAL DAY 2002
The Committee
considered a report setting out plans for the second national Holocaust
Memorial Day on 27 January 2002.
Resolved
1) Approve
proposals set out in paragraph 4.3 for the second national Holocaust Memorial
Day on 27 January 2002.
2) Approve
a budget of £6,600 for the event and programme with £4,900 being funded from
the former Leisure Development Grants Budget and £1,700 from the Community Arts
Budget.
3)
Refer consideration of a base budget contribution for this
event to the budget preparation process for 2002-03.
Action by: Head of Community Development
01/d/42 PROVISIONAL
OUTTURN FOR 2000/01 AND BUDGET CARRY FORWARD REQUESTS INTO 2001/02
During discussion on the underspends on Leisure Grants, the Chair requested that the officers write to all Members of the Council, reminding them of the scheme and the type of activity which can be grant-aided.
Action by: Head of
Community Development
Regarding the loss of income from grazing fees because of Foot and Mouth, the Committee was advised that limited grazing may begin by mid-August on some of the Council’s open spaces, having had clearance to do so by central government.
Resolved
1) To note the provisional outturn of the committee and approve the latest budget carry forward requests in Appendix C for referral to City Board.
2) To note the budget variance in 2001/2002 as a consequence of the impact of Foot and Mouth on grazing fee income.
01/d/43 BEST
VALUE REVIEW: PARKS AND OPEN SPACES MANAGEMENT
In introducing the report, the Parks and Recreation Manager advised the Committee that the Review had already been audited by the Best Value Inspectorate and its report would be expected within the next two months. It was also noted that the FSR & Audit Working Party at its meeting on 5 June had requested that improvements to safety (action plan 3.1) be brought forward into year 1. The Committee welcomed the report and acknowledged the work which had gone into this and the Reports on Allotments and Play Areas.
During discussion, members requested that the two issues prevalent in the summer be investigated by the officers: litter control [suggesting a ‘summer bin’ concept] and facilities to enable barbequing (to avoid damaging the grass). Councillor Talbot suggested liaising with the commercial sector (primarily pubs and food outlets) to improve the immediate environment and litter collection (action plan 2.3 refers). The Parks and Recreation Manager informed the committee that barbeque areas had previously been advised against by the Environmental Health Department, but as this activity has increased in popularity over the years and other nearby local authorities provide the facility, the Council would look into the matter again.
Resolved
To approve the Best Value Review Action
Plan for Continuous Improvement.
Action by Director
of Community Services
01/d/44 BEST VALUE REVIEW: ALLOTMENTS
The Parks and Recreation Manager advised the Committee that the Best
Value Inspectorate would look at this Review in August.
To approve the Best Value Review Action
Plan for Continuous Improvement.
Action by Director of Community Services
01/d/45 BEST
VALUE REVIEW: PLAY AREAS
The Committee noted that the Best Value Inspectorate had audited this Review and the outcome was expected within the next two months.
Resolved
To approve the Best Value Review Action
Plan for Continuous Improvement.
Action by Director of Community Services
01/d/46 HISTORIC
CITY CENTRE PARKS & COMMONS CONSERVATION PLANS
The Parks and Recreation Manager advised the Committee that Plans covering the remaining sites (e.g.Coldhams Common, Lammas Land, Cherry Hinton Park) would be reported to committee in due course. Members of the Committee thanked in particular the Council’s Landscape Architect and the Cambridge Preservation Society for the work undertaken to produce the reports. The Committee noted that officers would consider placing the information on deposit in the Central Library, sending to schools and copying onto a CD-Rom.
Resolved
To adopt the Conservation Plans for
Midsummer Common, Parker’s Piece, Coe Fen/Sheeps Green, Christ’s Pieces and
Jesus Green as the strategic framework for management and for the preparation
of detailed maintenance plans.
01/d/47 RIVER
MOORINGS
Councillor
Bradnack addressed the committee with the permission of the Chair in his
capacity as a Ward Councillor for part of the affected area.
In introducing
the report, the Parks and Recreation Manager informed the Committee that
Logan’s Way had not been included in the proposals and should be included in
recommendation (c) of the report [listed as (3) below]. The Committee noted that the report, if
approved, would form a framework for officers to consult and negotiate on
moorings and report back in November.
In reply to
questions from Councillor Bradnack, the Parks and Recreation Manager advised
Committee that the intention behind charging to moor acknowledged that boat
owners should make some payment for the local authority services; that it would
cost the Council to collect the charges but this could be achieved in a cost
effective way; that the bulk of £9,000 income from the four permanent moorings
in Jubilee Gardens came from one vessel; and at a meeting of Cam Conservators,
boat owners and council officers there was support for some form of control on
moorings.
Under
consultation, Councillor Bradnack was concerned that he had only been made
aware of one of the two meetings on this issue and as far as he knew neither
residents of Riverside nor boat owners had been consulted. He requested that further consultation be
carried out before any of the recommendations be adopted. The Committee was advised that the meetings
referred to had been organised by the Cam Conservators.
The Committee
was advised by Councillor Bradnack that if the County Council maintained its
previously held position that it would not charge for mooring on its land
(along Riverside), it would potentially
lead to that stretch of River being over-used.
Councillor
Knowles welcomed the opportunity to introduce controls on moorings and stated
that more consultation during the summer would be undertaken to enable the
Committee to make a decision in November.
Councillor
Benstead tabled the following amendment:
‘Delete
(a) because we already
charge fees for Jubilee gardens, and the principle of fee introduction
elsewhere should not be agreed until consultation has taken place with those
who would be affected – boat owners and local residents (see (e))
(b) because Cam
Conservators have chosen on which bits of Stourbridge Common to ban mooring for
navigational reasons, and it would be 'ultra vires' for the Council as riparian
owner to try to over-rule the navigation authority on where it should permit
mooring that is not currently permitted – ie the 'alternate' area - unless what is proposed is to
reduce the overall amount of mooring available on Council land by alternating
mooring between the two currently permitted areas, which will put
enormous pressure on the Riverside area, for which no proposals are being made
(and which lies within County Council responsibility)
(c) the corollary of (b) above
Amend
(e) to insert 'residents of
Riverside and residential boat owners' after 'Cambridgeshire County Council'
Agree (d) which
will give an opportunity to identify any problems with what is being proposed.’
The Chair
proposed amendments to the recommendations to include further specific and
targeted consultation which were consensual and in doing so Councillor Benstead
withdrew his amendment.
1) Short
term mooring at Jesus Green and Jubilee Gardens is continued and consultation
is undertaken on both the principle of a mooring fee and a proposed level of
charges.
2) Long
term mooring is permitted for twelve month periods on alternating parts of the
river bank at Stourbridge Common and consultation (as above) is undertaken on
mooring fees.
3) Mooring
on the river bank at Midsummer Common and alternating parts of Stourbridge
Common is prohibited.
4) The
Head of Legal and Democratic Services investigate the most appropriate method
of obtaining byelaws to enable the measures in
a, b and c to be implemented.
5) The
Parks and Recreation Manager prepares a detailed report, following further
consultation with the Conservators of the River Cam, Cambridgeshire County
Council, river users, residents of properties adjoining the river and other
relevant organisations, to include proposals for introducing mooring fees and
to report to Committee in November.
01/d/48 NEIGHBOURHOOD
RANGERS
The Committee noted that the report had been considered and approved by the Environment and Housing & Health Committees.
Resolved (by 5 votes to 0)
To approve the basis for the numbers of
neighbourhood rangers, their geographical distribution and functions and that the revised service is introduced from 1 September.
01/d/49 GRANTS
TO VOLUNTARY & NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS: STRATEGY AND PRACTICE 2002/03
The Chair welcomed the way in which the grants allocation will be divided in 2002/03 (paragraph 5.1.6) and that grant recipients will undergo a form of Best Value Review undertaken by the Council, commencing with the advice agency sector in 2002/03. At the request of the Chair, Lorna Davies from Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service addressed the Committee and stated that it would have been helpful if the Strategy had been available for comment at an earlier stage although the voluntary sector broadly supported the issues put. The officers commented that there would be opportunity to debate the proposals through the Compact, the first of which was to meet on Monday 2 July.
Resolved
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1) To consider
and comment on the corporate statement of this Council’s commitment to the
voluntary sector (Section 4.1) and the principles for establishing funding
strategies (Section 4.2). |
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2) To agree this
Committee’s criteria and funding proposals for the allocation of its grants
budget in 2002-03. (Sections 5.1.4; 5.1.5; 5.1.6; 6.1.6; and 6.1.8) |
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3) To ask City
Board to consider this Committee’s responses to Sections 4.1, 4.2, 5 and 6. |
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4) To seek member
involvement in grant reviews (section
5.2.4 and 6.2.3) |
Action by: Head of Community Development
01/d/50 FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO VOLUNTARY AND NOT-FOR
PROFIT ORGANISATIONS 2001/02
Resolved (by 7 votes to 0)
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1) To
note the following 00-01 grants made on officer’s action in March 01: |
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Community
Development small projects
Leisure
projects for people with disabilities
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2) To
note grants awarded on Officer’s action in Section 3. |
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3) To
note the current financial position in Section 4. |
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4) To
consider reports on applications for revenue grants and approve individual
recommendations (Section 5 and Appendices 1 and 2). |
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Action by: Head of
Community Development
01/d/51 EAST
CHESTERTON YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE
The Chair ruled under s100B4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 that the update report and additional recommendations (interleaved with these minutes and copied below) from the Head of Community Development be taken because a decision was required at the meeting. The Committee had received the information by e-mail the night before and the Chair allowed a break in proceedings to afford those present the opportunity to consider the new information.
At the request of the Chair, Lil Speed from the East Chesterton Action Group attended for this item.
The Head of Community Development advised the Committee of the developments concerning the site access. The Committee noted that the outline design brief would need to incorporate this information. The detailed design which would be expected to address in the most practicable way the access issues identified would be considered by Committee at a later date.
The Committee was advised that the tendering process for an architect would include a presentation to the local community and Members by the short-listed companies. The current timetable for the project was to commence on site in October 2003 with it being open in October 2004. If the timetable could be brought forward it would be.
The Committee was advised that the access issue had required a re-think regarding the current availability of venues for older people (in addition to, not instead of, the new centre). By agreeing a virement of £100,000 to St Georges Hall improvements, the Council would expedite enhancement to services for older people.
Councillors Benstead and Talbot were concerned that the potential restricted access to the site could in the long term limit the use by certain client groups, who would not be able or willing to travel primarily on foot or by bicycle. They also expressed a view that the option of an access route through land in Scarsdale Close should not be ruled out at this stage.
The Chair stated that members had been given a thorough appraisal of the options for consideration and it was on the officers’ best advice that the recommendations before the Committee should be agreed. The Chair stressed that although the project could not be further delayed, all options would continue to be looked at during the working up of the detailed design brief.
Resolved (by 6 votes to 0)
1)
Instruct
the Head of Community Development to invite tenders for the appointment of an architect and project manager for the
East Chesterton Youth and Community Centre Project.
2)
Delegate
authority to the Head of Community Development to appoint a contractor and
other professional service providers as required, following consultation with
the Architect and in accordance with the provision of Standing Orders.
3) Following consultation with the residents of East Chesterton, living in the vicinity of Brown’s Field, to advertise at an appropriate time and in accordance with the requirements of section 122(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council’s intention to appropriate a part of the public open space known as Brown’s Field for the purposes of constructing a community centre and then to submit any objections received for consideration by the Community Development and Leisure Services Committee.
4)
Confirm
that the preferred access to the new community centre on Brown’s Field would be
from Green End Road.
5)
Request
officers to ensure that the need for a ‘managed’ solution to the issue of
access is included in the design brief for the facility.
6)
Approve an outline brief for the design of East Chesterton
Youth and Community Centre in appendix 1.
7)
Instruct
officers to begin discussion with St George’s Church on the refurbishment of
their Church Hall in order to create new opportunities for older people and
those with mobility problems.
8)
Seek
City Board approval of a virement of £100,000 (capital) from the East
Chesterton Youth and Community Centre budget to the East Chesterton Facility
Improvement Programme to enable work to go ahead on St George’s Hall subject to
negotiation of a formal legal agreement securing community use. Final approval of an agreement to be
concluded following consultation with the Chair and Spokesperson.
01/d/52 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2001/03
In response to a question from Councillor
Talbot, the Chair stated that the Liberal Democrat Group had expressed a
commitment to youth participation in its Annual Statement, with the key
priorities being local action groups, neighbourhood working and The Dec. A PDP Exit Fund would be available in
2002/03 as the Children & Young People PDP ended in March 2002.
The report also addressed the issue of a
City Centre Youth Venue, which had been the subject of a petition at 8 March
Committee meeting. Stuart Wood, Chair
of the City Centre Youth Partnership was invited by the Chair to attend for
this item (supported by the Project Worker and a young person). In response to a question, he was advised
that 9 Norfolk Street, which had previously been identified as a suitable
location for a city centre venue, was still available and would be held by the
Council until January 2002. Stuart Wood
advised the Committee that the Partnership’s Business Plan would be available
by the end of July and would be circulated to the Committee.
In response to a question from Councillor
Talbot, the officers advised the Committee that the Action Plan was aimed at
marginalized young people. The
Committee noted that to inform officers’ thinking, a focus group of young
people would be held to debate the youth participation budget 2002/03.
Resolved –
1)
To approve
the Youth Development and Participation Strategy 2001 – 2003
2)
To approve in
principle the 2001 – 2003 action plan to deliver the strategy subject to the
availability of resources.
3)
To
instruct officers to consult young people on budget proposals for 2002 – 2003
and to enter into discussions with potential partners on joint funding of new
works. The outcome of these consultations to be built into the budget
preparation process for 2002 - 2003
01/d/53 SPORT
CAPITAL PROJECTS
The Parks and Recreation Manager advised
the Committee that Sport England had written to confirm its support for all of
the proposed expenditure except for the automatic doors at Cherry Hinton
Village Centre. The Committee noted
that a report would be submitted regarding indoor sports provision (for which
there is £500,000 in the Capital Plan) when officers receive written advice
from Sport England on the viability of lottery bids for these capital projects.
The Chair invited Dr Higginson to attend
for this item (supported by two colleagues). Dr Higginson supported the
proposal for central skateboarding facilities.
The Committee was advised that Jesus Green had been identified as a
suitable location, but consultation would be undertaken before any final
decision.
The Committee noted that the order for
schemes in Priorities A-C appeared sensible but agreed that implementation of
the programme of work should be after discussion with Chair and spokes.
Resolved –
That the projects detailed on Schedule A,
B and C be approved, the priority within each schedule confirmed and officers
instructed to implement the programme of work in consultation with Chair and
spokes.
01/d/54 NOMINATIONS
TO SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES
The Committee was advised that Mr T Mills
had resigned from Morley Memorial School.
The Committee agreed to nominate:
Cherry Hinton Infants – Mrs C Myers
Ditton Fields Nursery – Cllr Durrant
St Albans – Mrs M Forsyth
St Philips – Ms S Ingram
To agree that nominations to Colleges
Nursery School and Morley Memorial be made following consultation with Chair
and spokes.
That the Committee’s thanks be passed on
to those not seeking re-appointment/resigned:
Mrs Philips, Mrs Unsworth and Mr Mills.
01/d/55 APPOINTMENTS
TO OUTSIDE BODIES
Councillor Talbot stated that Labour Group
would not nominate to any organisation which had requested voting status.
The Committee agreed the following
appointments:
Arts Forum for Cambridgeshire – Councillor
Knowles
Cambridge & County Folk Museum –
Councillor White (plus one)
CCVS – Councillors Bradnack & Lakin
Cambridge Enterprise Agency – Councillor M
Schofield (on a vote of 5 for and 3 for Councillor Bagnall)
Cambridge Independent Advice Centre –
Councillor Slatter (plus one)
Cambridge Sector Police (North) –
Councillors Cowell and Ward
Cambridge Sector Police (South) –
Councillors Gilchrist and Slatter
Cambridge Sports Hall Trust – Councillor
Malcolm Schofield
Cambridge Womens Resources Centre –
Councillor Ellis-Miller and Johnston
Cambridge Careers Guidance – Councillor
Smart
Centre 33 – Councillor Griffiths (on a
vote of 5 for and 3 for Councillor Reed)
Citizens Advice Bureau – Councillor Dixon
County Museums Advisory Group – Councillor
Durrant
East Barnwell Community Centre –
Councillor Smith
Eastern Orchestral Board – Councillor
White
The Junction – deferred to be agreed after
consultation with Chair and spokes.
Local Government Against Poverty –
Councillor Liddle
Local Government Forum for the Eastern
Region – Councillor Knowles
Manor Community Sports Hall Steering - Councillors James and T Schofield (on the
understanding that the role being observer)
01/d/56 EMPLOYMENT
FOUNDATION SCHEME BUSINESS PLAN 2001/02
The Committee commended the achievements
of the EFS and of the proposals in the Business Plan. The Economic Policy Manager advised the Committee that the Adult
Learning Inspectorate had recently inspected, and upgraded, the EFS in the
areas of voluntary sector provision, management & leadership, and equal
opportunities.
Resolved -
1)
approve
the Employment Foundation Scheme Business Plan for 2001/2002;
2)
note
that the Employment Foundation Scheme has been awarded Employment Service Lead
Provider Status for the City of Cambridge and has been awarded a three year
contract to deliver Adult Training Provision in the City of Cambridge in
partnership with other city-based training providers;
3)
note
that the Employment Foundation Scheme has secured a Learning Gateway contract
from the Learning and Skills Council for Cambridgeshire for 2001/2002
detailed in paragraph 4.2 of
this report;
4)
note
the accommodation difficulties highlighted in
paragraph 4.8
5) note the current staffing structure of the EFS as demonstrated in appendix A of this report
01/d/57 Exclusion
of press and public
The Committee excluded members of the public from the meeting on the grounds that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to them of information defined as exempt from publication by paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
01/d/58 EFS
ACCOMMODATION REVIEW
The Committee was advised that if agreed,
development control issues would be considered by Planning Sub-Committee on 22
August.
Resolved -
1) To endorse in
principle the progress and actions being taken in relation to the EFS
Accommodation Review and refer the decision to City Board.
2)
To approve in principle the relocation of the EFS to Cherry Hinton Park
with the final decision to be taken by City Board.
The meeting ended at 6.45 pm.
CHAIR
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