Agenda and minutes

Venue: on Microsoft Teams

Contact: Mike Jones, Principal Democratic Services Officer 

Media

Items
No. Item

10.

APOLOGIES

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

11.

MEMBERS' CODE OF CONDUCT - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interests.

12.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 99 KB

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 26 October, 2020.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee held on 26 October 2020 be approved for accuracy.

13.

PUBLIC AND MEMBER QUESTIONS

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no questions, statement or petitions from the public or Members.

14.

Birkenhead Park: Heritage Project Review and Update pdf icon PDF 179 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Nikki Butterworth, Director of Neighbourhood services, introduced this report on the project to obtain World Heritage Site recognition from UNESCO for Birkenhead Park. She spoke of the history of the Park which was reputed to be one of the first publicly funded parks and was pivotal in influencing the creation of urban parks worldwide.

 

The recognition could bring benefits including increased investment, local regenerations, employment opportunities, increase in property values and growth in visitor economy. The process was outlined where the first stage was submission of the draft document to the Government’s list of potential sites.

 

At the same time, parks restoration and enhancement would continue with an application for a Heritage Support Grant.

 

The Committee discussed the issue and were supportive of it and of the work done by the Friends groups who volunteered to maintain the park.

 

Resolved: That: 

 

(1)   That the progress made regarding the Birkenhead Park heritage project be noted.

(2)   the proposals to progress as set out in this report be supported: (i) the aspiration for Birkenhead Park’s ultimate inscription as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; and (ii) the further significant regeneration of the Park, including through the submission of a grant application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

(3)  the Policy and Resources Committee be asked to consider submitting a Capital bid in future.  This will cover the ongoing running costs associated with the NLHF Round 1 grant application and ensure that funding is secured until 2023/24.

15.

Grassroots Football Development pdf icon PDF 104 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Andy McCartan, the Assistant Director for Leisure, Libraries and Customer Engagement introduced a report which provided an update on the developing role that football had to play in the Borough, and the development of provision of high-quality artificial grass pitch (AGP) all-weather facilities, for use by all.

 

It was stated that the Borough was 22 pitches short of meeting the demand for grassroots football and five priority sites had been determined, with two being taken forward first. Other organisations were helping to meet demand elsewhere and the Council provided guidance and assistance to them. The potential finances were explained, including potential Football Foundation funding of £80,000 which is being decided in December. In the longer term, the developments would sustain themselves.

 

Cheshire West and Chester Council had invited Members and officers to view their facilities and Members were interested in being involved.

 

Members commented on particular areas, and it was emphasised that there were other organisations, including clubs and schools, developing pitches around the Wirral which the Council was advising but they were not part of this decision.

 

Resolved: That

(1)   the development of the business case and grant application process to the Football Foundation for the first two priority AGP proposed sites at Woodchurch Leisure Centre and Wirral Tennis Centre, Bidston be approved and supported, subject to Council approval for the match funding from the capital programme.

(2)   the development of the business case and grant application process to the Football Foundation, for the remaining three priority sites Leasowe, Arrowe Park and Bromborough, in due course be approved and supported, subject to Council approval for the match funding from the capital programme.

(3)   the revenue grant application process to the Football Foundations’ ‘Active Through Football’ fund be approved and supported.

16.

The Development of a Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for Wirral pdf icon PDF 133 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Andy McCartan, the Assistant Director for Leisure, Libraries and Customer Engagement introduced a report which was not only a leisure strategy considering facilities but aimed to tackle wider social issues such as obesity, inequality and engaging with the community.

 

The Strategy was not a statutory one but was seen as good practice, to guide external and internal partners. It noted an aging stock of facilities and social barriers to activity.

 

Members queried the application of the strategy including provision of outdoor gyms and maintenance of facilities.

 

Resolved: That

(1)   the new outline Sport and Physical Activity Strategy presented in this report and the accompanying appendix be noted and approved.

(2)   the Director of Neighbourhood Services be authorised to engage with residents, communities, and other stakeholders to design and deliver a fit-for-purpose and sustainable service that meets the differing needs of the communities within Wirral.

(3)   the strategy be included within the Committee’s ongoing work programme.

17.

Library Strategy and New Library Model pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Andy McCartan, the Assistant Director for Leisure, Libraries and Customer Engagement introduced a report which included the draft library strategy and model.

 

The focus of the draft strategy had been to provide library services that addressed increased service take-up in areas of greatest need by providing attractive and relevant facilities and services, thus reducing inequalities around literacy, skills for work, digital inclusion, health and community cohesion. An effective library service had the capacity to support the delivery of every one of the council’s priorities for 2025. Work had been done to understand the needs of local communities so new services were co-designed with residents.

 

The strategy identified different types of library that served different purposes (central, community hub, community managed etc) along with outreach services (pop up libraries, home reader, virtual library).

 

Members expressed their wishes that community and friends groups be involved.

 

Resolved: that

 

(1)  the new draft Library Strategy and model outlined in this report be noted.

(2)  the Director of Neighbourhood Services be authorised to commence consultation on the proposals contained in the draft Library Strategy and model ,with residents, service users and stakeholders in order to design and deliver a modern and sustainable service that meets the needs of different communities across Wirral and report back to a future meeting of the Committee the outcome of that consultation.

18.

Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Work Programme Update pdf icon PDF 84 KB

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Minutes:

Resolved:

That the work programme for the remainder of the 2020/21 municipal year be agreed.

19.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

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Minutes:

Resolved: That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

20.

Developing Leisure Vehicle provision across Wirral

Minutes:

Stuart Bellerby, Senior Commercial Manager, introduced a report which sought agreement on a set of key principles, business model options and a process for determining sites for the Council to develop leisure vehicle provision across Wirral.  This followed concerns about the amount of overnight parking by motorhomes in coastal areas around New Brighton and a scrutiny review which had recommended establishing a managed site. There was evidence of a growing leisure vehicle market and commercial opportunities, potentially with a variety of sites with different business models.

 

Members discussed the report and options, with deterrents for people avoiding the sites, but the secondary spend and increases in people staying in this country for holidays would provide opportunities for increased visitors and potential revenue for the Council and local businesses.

 

Resolved – That

(1)  the vision and the 4 key principles for the Council to develop leisure vehicle provision across Wirral as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

(2)  the range of business model options for consideration for leisure vehicle provision in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

(3)  the review process for determining the proposed leisure vehicle sites for development outlined in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

(4)  a member workshop be established, in order to review potential sites for leisure vehicle provision against an agreed list of business model options and types of provision, and then ultimately make recommendations back to a future Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee.