Meeting documents
Culture, Tourism and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Thursday, 14th June 2007
Present
Chair
SA Brown
Councillors
GJ Ellis, J Hale, D Hawkins, PTC Reisdorf, K J Williams
Deputy
A Bridson (for Cllr MG Redfern)
Cabinet member
RK Moon
Index to Minutes
- Minute 1 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/PARTY WHIP
- Minute 2 - MINUTES
- Minute 3 - APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR
- Minute 4 - SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME 2007-08
- Minute 5 - WIRRAL TOURISM STRATEGY - IMPLEMENTATION PLAN UPDATE
- Minute 6 - YEAR END PERFORMANCE MONITORING REPORT - TOURISM AND MARKETING DIVISION
- Minute 7 - DEPARTMENT OF REGENERATION – 2006/07 YEAR END REPORT
- Minute 8 - PARK MANAGEMENT PLANS
- Minute 9 - YOUTH PARLIAMENT
- Minute 10 - APPROVAL OF TENDERS UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY
- Minute 11 - REGENERATION DEPARTMENT - FINANCIAL MONITORING
- Minute 12 - REGENERATION DEPARTMENT - CAPITAL PROGRAMME MONITORING
Minute 1 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/PARTY WHIP
Minute Text :
Members were asked to consider whether they had personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they were.
Members were reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they were subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement. No declarations were made.
Minute 2 - MINUTES
Minute Text :
The Head of Legal and Member Services submitted the minutes of the meeting held on 2 April, 2007 which were received by the Council.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the minutes be received.
Minute 3 - APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR
Minute Text :
In accordance with minute 4 of Cabinet (16/5/07), the Committee was requested to appoint a Vice-Chair.
On a motion by the Chair seconded by Councillor Reisdorf it was;-
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That Councillor J Williams be appointed Vice-Chair for the ensuing municipal year.
Minute 4 - SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME 2007-08
Minute Text :
The Head of Legal and Member Services submitted the CfPS document 'Prioritising topics for Scrutiny' and requested members to give consideration to topics to be included in this year's scrutiny programme.
The Director of Regeneration reported that during 2006/07 the Committee had considered a series of reports reviewing the five sections within Cultural Services. He submitted a report providing a summary of the key issues facing each service.
He referred to the decision of the Cabinet ( 24/1/07) to commission the preparation of a Strategic Forward Plan for Cultural Services to:
• Identify current levels of provision in the public and private sector.
• Consider the availability of finance over the next five years.
• Undertake an appraisal of the existing public sector building stock.
• Undertake an analysis of future leisure trends and a profile of Wirral customers
• Identify the optimum locations for cultural services facilities in relation to access demand, usage and future potential capacity.
He reported that a consultant had now been appointed to carry out a project brief (Appendix1). They would undertake an audit of facilities, existing policies and appraisal of opportunities during July and August and consult with key stakeholders in September. This would form the development of service specific plans within the draft Strategic Forward Plan which would be available in November for further public consultation.
There was a discussion concerning the timescales for this project and members highlighted the need for an early meeting with the consultant to agree the final brief and action plan.
Minute Decision :
Resolved -
(1) That the Committee's priority for this year's scrutiny programme will be to contribute towards the development of specific elements in the Strategic Forward Plan for Cultural Services in accordance with its terms of reference.
(2) That arrangements be made for a special meeting of this committee in early July to agree the final brief and action plan for the Strategic Forward Plan.
Minute 5 - WIRRAL TOURISM STRATEGY - IMPLEMENTATION PLAN UPDATE
Minute Text :
Emma Degg, Head of Tourism and Marketing, submitted a report updating the Committee on work completed between April and June 2007.
The approach to market Wirral's tourism offer was intelligence led and based on research at all core and supported events to evaluate visitor numbers, spend, trends etc, and help the Supported Events Panel decide on grant allocation to community organisations. Following last year’s Visitor Research, the Wirral Coast Partnership was now established, and with their support, the Council’s Tourism and Marketing Office had undertaken the following:
• Audit of Wirral’s coastal and countryside assets (completed February 2007).
• Brand Development and Guidelines for Use (“Wirral Peninsula” - completed May 2007).
• Implementation of key recommendations from the Asset Audit (establishment of the Council’s Coast and Countryside Strategy Group in May 2007)
• Campaign to help brand and market Wirral’s coastal and countryside offers (to be undertaken from spring 2008).
The report outlined progress on the development and implementation of a wide and varied programme of events and attractions.
There was a discussion regarding heritage projects and events and the important linkages with Wirral's History Societies.
Councillor Hale referred to his attendance at a presentation by the Hoylake Historical Society regarding the launch of a report investigating the borough's Viking links. The report made five key recommendations for the development of local history for both tourism and educational purposes. These included proposals for a Heritage Interpretation Centre at Meols, and creating a sculpture which would link in with a Norse Sculpture trail and a Wirral Heritage Trail. The report also presented proposals for a Norse Heritage Centre at Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston.
It was agreed that arrangements be made for a similar presentation to the September meeting of this committee.
Councillor Williams welcomed this inclusive approach and highlighted the expertise and assistance that was available within Wirral's History Societies.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the Committee note and support the contents of this update report.
Minute 6 - YEAR END PERFORMANCE MONITORING REPORT - TOURISM AND MARKETING DIVISION
Minute Text :
Emma Degg, Head of Tourism and Marketing, submitted a report informing the Committee of the year end performance of the Tourism and Marketing Division within Corporate Services.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the Committee note the year end performance for the Tourism and Marketing Division.
Minute 7 - DEPARTMENT OF REGENERATION – 2006/07 YEAR END REPORT
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration submitted a report outlining the performance of his department at year end and asking the Committee to endorse the priorities the department was proposing for the next monitoring period.
The Performance Monitoring Report (Appendix 1) detailed performance over the last year highlighting those areas of performance where targets were not met and outlining the remedial action which was being taken to address this. The final part of the report looked forward to the next financial year and focused on the key issues that would be affecting the department in the next twelve months. The report highlighted the following key issues:
In April, 2006 Cultural Services had moved from the former Education and Cultural Services Department to the Regeneration Department, and the offices for Cultural Services administration were relocated from Hamilton Building and Solar Campus to Westminster House. Work was continuing to restructure the section and fully integrate it with the Regeneration Department.
In 2007/8 Cultural Services would undertake a self assessment using Towards and Excellent Service (TAES), a DCMS developed programme. Regional Commentaries would be produced by the 3 main outside agencies which contribute to Cultural Services; Sport England, The Arts Council and the Museums, Libraries and Archives. The section was also commissioning a major study to produce a Strategic Forward Plan for Cultural Services.
It was acknowledged that the Performance Report was very wide-ranging and diverse in its content and application due to the wide range of services delivered by the Regeneration Department, and the following summary therefore highlighted those areas of the Departmental Plan that would be of principal interest to Members of this Overview and Scrutiny Committee, namely, the work undertaken by the Cultural Services Division:-
(i) Library Service – During 2006/7 seven Information Points were established along with seven video links allowing the Corporate LPSA target to be achieved. Work was undertaken with young people in the “Fulfilling Their Potential” project. This encouraged greater ownership by young people of libraries and working with the Children and Young People’s Department BEST team a youth forum was held in Seacombe library. Reader development projects included a poetry project in Greasby library with Year 6 pupils, a poetry performance in Wallasey library and a Christmas Reader’s evening in West Kirby library.
(ii) Community Services – The kitchen in the Grosvenor Hall was refurbished and fully equipped to provide a training/commercial kitchen from which training programmes for disadvantaged local residents are provided. Leasowe Adventure Playground was refurbished with £230,000 of funding from various sources. The 7 Waves Community Radio station continued to deliver multimedia training with a total of 170 trainees achieving NVQ levels 1 and 2 in radio broadcasting.
(iii) Parks and Countryside Service – The new pavilion in Birkenhead Park was opened and most of the restoration scheme completed. The number of Friends of Parks Groups increased from 26 to 30 and a Parks Partnership was formed to represent the groups. During 2006/7 the Lottery funded “Fair Shares” programme was completed which included 3 new skateboard parks and 2 Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA). Work was completed on 30 draft park management plans and 47 security audits which will be reported to Scrutiny Committee and ward members.
(iv) Sport and Recreation – A new fitness suite was opened in Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre in January which had proved very popular. The Amateur Swimming Association awarded one of 9 national pilot programmes to Wirral to promote swimming to older people. This complemented the decision to provide free swimming to older people which has resulted in an increased usage of up to 400% in some centres. A pilot “Silver Sports” programme with the PCT was also started to encourage older people to take more physical activity. Youth Sports Nights operated successfully in 12 centres and uptake of the Invigor8 regular user programme continued to increase.
(v) Arts and Museums – The Arts and Museums service had its most successful Guitar Festival so far in November with record attendances. The Floral Pavilion’s pantomime was also very successful and there was a smooth close down of the Floral in April with a final concert. Projects undertaken during the year included the Creating the Image 2 visual arts project with looked after children and the Leasowe Lighthouse Heritage Summer project. The Museums Service had also hosted many successful exhibitions.
The Director responded to a number of issues raised by members relating to budgetary provision for library books, use of lottery funding for the development of skate parks, maintenance and development of allotment sites, and arrangements for educational exhibitions in the Williamson and Lady Lever Art Galleries.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the Committee note the performance of the Department between April 2006 and March 2007 and endorse the priorities for service delivery for the next financial year.
Minute 8 - PARK MANAGEMENT PLANS
Minute Text :
Further to minute 44 (2/4/07) the Director of Regeneration submitted a report seeking the views of members on the format and content of draft park management plans for Ashton Park, Flaybrick Memorial Gardens, Royden Park and Victoria Park.
There was a discussion regarding the draft park management plans and members agreed that style and content provided a useful description of the unique character of each of these parks and the facilities that were available. Members also expressed their appreciation for the contribution made by the Friends Groups and the way that they working with the department to improve facilities.
The Director reported that he was currently exploring ways of further developing Friends Groups with key stakeholders, and it was his intention to report back to a future meeting regarding this matter.
Minute Decision :
Resolved -That the report be noted and that the Director report to a future meeting on proposals for the further development of Friends Groups.
Minute 9 - YOUTH PARLIAMENT
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration submitted a report summarising the issues raised by young people at the Youth Parliament in October, 2006 relating to Cultural Services facilities, and asking members to agree a response for a formal feedback session in July, 2007.
Minute Decision :
Resolved -
(1) That the report be noted.
(2) That the Committee support the establishment of a focus group for young people to discuss topics related to leisure and cultural provision and make recommendations to this and other appropriate committees.
Minute 10 - APPROVAL OF TENDERS UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration submitted a report in accordance with the ‘Approved Scheme of Delegation’, under Contract Procedure Rule 13.2 (b) detailing those instances where delegated authority had been used with respect to the acceptance of tenders:-
(i) Project Title: Supply of Annual Bedding Plants for 2007/2008
Contract Sum: £86,333.28
Contractor: Porters Horticultural Limited, Moss Side, Formby
(ii) Project Title: Construction of Eaton Place Play Area
Contract Sum: £76,053.50
Contractor: Barton Grange Landscapes Ltd
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the report be noted.
Minute 11 - REGENERATION DEPARTMENT - FINANCIAL MONITORING
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration submitted a report highlighting the financial performance of the Regeneration Department.
The Director reported that work was continuing to complete the accounts for the 2006/07 financial year, and the indications were that the out -turn position would be broadly in line with the Current Estimate 2006/07. He reported upon progress in relation to policy options and delivering savings and service re-engineering savings.
For 2007/2008, the agreed budget was £32,777,900 (Appendix 1 refers), and at this stage of the year it was projected to be the anticipated spend.
Councillor Bridson referred to arrangements made at the Scrutiny Chairs meeting for spokespersons to receive a monthly financial monitoring report. It was agreed that this arrangement be extended to include all committee members.
Minute Decision :
Resolved -
(1) That the Committee note the content of this report.
(2) That regular monthly monitoring reports be circulated to members.
Minute 12 - REGENERATION DEPARTMENT - CAPITAL PROGRAMME MONITORING
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration submitted a report providing a regular update on his department’s Capital Programme.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the Committee note the contents of this report.
(Minutes Published: 21 June 2007)