Issue - items at meetings - DRAFT SCOPING DOCUMENT - CSC

To consider the Draft Scoping Document for the Community Select Committee Review of Sports & Leisure Opportunities across the town

The Committee considered the Draft Scoping Document for the review on Sports and Leisure across Stevenage. The Chair reminded Members to keep in mind the focus of the review. The Committee noted that the proximity of the Gordon Craig Theatre to the Stevenage railway station could be used to attract visitors to the town’s sports and leisure events.

Focus of the review – Members identified the following items for consideration in the focus of the review:

· To check if the Council’s website can be updated to include links to public and private providers of sports and leisure facilities and services

· To get a better understanding of booking arrangements for events at the Gordon Craig Theatre

· To determine the split of Stevenage versus non-Stevenage clientele at Stevenage sports and leisure facilities and events

· To assess the affordability of Stevenage sports and leisure facilities and events

· To make a comparison of Stevenage sports and leisure against offers in other similar-sized local authorities

· To ensure that event organisers use a diverse range of publicity methods including the traditional leaflets and posters and also social media platforms

Timing issues – Members were informed that review dates, times and venues of review meetings were subject to change

Any other witnesses – The Assistant Director announced that Stevenage Youth Council had recently started debating topics that were on the agenda of some SBC Council committees. It was indicated that the Youth Council would provide feedback to the Committee after their debate on sports and leisure across Stevenage. The Committee Members suggested that the following be added to the list of external witnesses:

· Officers/Members from Luton Borough Council and/or Milton Keynes Council

· John O’Callaghan (Herts Sports Partnership Board Member) – provide insight on the County context

· Allan Prescott – Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL)

· Any other member of the SLL Management team

Background Documents/Data – The Assistant Director (Communities and Neighbourhoods) indicated that attendance figures for events at the Gordon Craig Theatre would be included in the scheduled SLL presentation to the Committee. It was pointed out that membership details from sports and leisure providers and registers for events such as parkrun could be a source of information on the catchment area for sports and leisure clients if those providers were prepared to share anonymised data. It was noted that such information could be used subject to data protection limitations. Members requested the following background documents:

· Budgets for SBC sports and leisure facilities

· Subsidy per visit

It was RESOLVED:

1. That the Draft Scoping Document is noted

2. That the Assistant Director (Communities and Neighbourhoods) liaises with SLL management and the Scrutiny Officer regarding review interviews

3. That Members liaise with the Assistant Director (Communities and Neighbourhoods) regarding visits to Stevenage sports and leisure facilities

4. That Members provide to the Committee sports and leisure leaflets from other local authorities

5. That Members research topics as indicated below:

· Affordability and barriers – Cllrs C Parris and L Rossati

· Access – Cllr T Callaghan and S Mead

· Local take ... view the full decision text for item 6