Agenda for Community Select Committee on Tuesday, 17 September 2019, 6.00pm

Agenda and decisions

Venue: Shimkent Room - Daneshill House, Danestrete. View directions

Contact: Fungai Nyamukapa Tel: 01438 242707 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors T Callaghan and L Rossati.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

2.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING - 3 JULY 2019 pdf icon PDF 71 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Community Select Committee held on Wednesday 3 July 2019

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Community Select Committee meeting held on 3 July 2019 are approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

3.

SPORTS & LEISURE SCRUTINY REVIEW pdf icon PDF 55 KB

Members are invited to consider evidence and carry out interviews for the Sports & Leisure Scrutiny Review. Attached is a summary of Members site visits from Fairlands Valley Park Sailing Centre and Ropes Course, Stevenage Swimming Centre and Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre and Stevenage Golf & Conference Centre.

 

Written evidence that Members previously requested to follow.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Portfolio Holder (Children, Young People and Leisure) gave introductory remarks on previous sports and leisure reviews, current developments and future plans for sports and leisure in Stevenage. The Portfolio Holder mentioned that the Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) contract was the Council’s largest contract outside the regeneration projects. Members were informed that substantial savings had been made following the Select Committee’s reviews of 2014 and 2017.

 

The Portfolio Holder highlighted the work of the Leisure Innovation Group and Stevenage Health Partnership and informed the Committee that he was a member of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Culture, Tourism & Sport Board. The Board had strategic oversight of all the LGA’s policy and improvement activity in relation to libraries, the visitor economy, sport and physical activity, the arts, museums, public parks and heritage. Plans were in place to invite Sport England Regional Director to a meeting to discuss Stevenage’s progress towards its sports objectives and funding options.

 

The Assistant Director (Communities and Neighbourhoods) gave an update on the joint SBC/SLL Innovation Group.

 

Members reported back on recent visits to Fairlands Valley Outdoor Activity Centre, Stevenage Swimming Centre, Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre and Stevenage Golf & Conference Centre. Members suggested that the sports and leisure offer be linked to the overall Cultural Strategy. The Assistant Director informed Members that the Innovation Group had considered all the recommendations of previous reviews.

 

The Portfolio Holder acknowledged that the regeneration programme was likely to introduce competitors to the SBC sports offer. The Portfolio Holder announced that the Council recently started a pilot for a “meanwhile use” arrangement in the town centre. The Stevenage Regional Contract Manager for Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) gave an update on current activities and future plans for sports and leisure facilities that are run by SLL on behalf of the Council.

 

The Committee thanked officers for the reports and for facilitating site visits. Members noted that availability for site visits had been affected by other commitments but officers agreed to arrange further visits if required. The Innovation Group should consider reviewing the marketing strategy, improving online accessibility and addressing the increasing demand for use of the swimming pool.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.         That the Sports & Leisure Scrutiny Review scoping document be noted

 

2.         That the capacity of the Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre auditorium (The Gordon Craig Theatre) be changed from 750 to 500 (site visit notes – page 9 of the agenda pack)

 

3.         That breakfast service be referenced as one of the services provided by the Stevenage Golf & Conference Centre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

URGENT PART 1 BUSINESS

To consider any Part I business accepted by the Chair as urgent

Decision:

None.

5.

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

To consider the following motions:

 

1. That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the ground that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

 

2. That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

 

 

Decision:

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.         That, under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraphs 1 to 7 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by SI 2006 No. 88

 

2.         That, having considered the reasons for the following items being in Part II, it be determined that maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighed the public interest in disclosure

6.

PART II - SPORTS & LEISURE SCRUTINY REVIEW

Members are invited to consider part II confidential evidence for the Sports & Leisure Scrutiny Review.

 

Report to follow.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Committee received a presentation on Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL). The Committee also received customer demographic information (age, post code and ward usage breakdown) and customer behaviour analysis.

 

It was RESOLVED that the update be noted.

7.

URGENT PART II BUSINESS

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent

Decision:

None.