Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Apologies for lateness were received from Cllr A Brown.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for lateness were received from Cllr A Brown.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Community Select Committee held on 26 March 2019

It was RESOLVED that Minutes of the Community Select Committee meeting held on 26 March 2019 are approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that Minutes of the Community Select Committee meeting held on 26 March 2019 are approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1 April 2019

It was RESOLVED that Minutes of the Community Select Committee meeting held on 1 April 2019 are approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that Minutes of the Community Select Committee meeting held on 1 April 2019 are approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To note the Terms of Reference of the Committee approved by Annual Council on 22 May 2019

It was RESOLVED that the Terms of Reference are noted.

It was RESOLVED that the Terms of Reference are noted.

To note the Work Programme and meeting schedule for the Community Select Committee for 2019-20

The Committee considered the Work Programme and meeting schedule for the Community Select Committee (CSC) for 2019-20. The Scrutiny Officer informed Members that the High/Medium/Low rating was a measure of the issue’s importance on the CSC work schedule.

Sports and Leisure across the Town – The Committee agreed that this review should be pursued. Members indicated that the review should consider the following:

·         Current sports and leisure offer in Stevenage

·         Publicity on the SBC website and other platforms

·         The health, sports and leisure link

·         Stevenage Leisure Limited

The Assistant Director (Communities and Neighbourhoods) informed the Committee that the SLL contract was due for renewal in 2023. Preparations for contract negotiations would start at the beginning of the 2020/21 Municipal year. It was noted that there was likely to be a crossover of the CSC’s review of Fairlands Valley sports and leisure offer including the sailing centre and the Environment and Economy review on parks in Stevenage.

Neighbourhood Wardens – Members noted that the review would provide clarity on the job description and working arrangements of Neighbourhood Wardens. It was agreed that the review would be particularly important in view of the proposed area-based working model. Following discussions, Members agreed that due to time and logistics constraints it would not be feasible to include community centres in the scope of this review.   

Statutory Item – Crime & Disorder Committee – The Committee noted that this meeting gave Members the opportunity to receive updates on community safety issues. 

Standing Item – Public Health – The Chair commended the support provided by the Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Director of Public Health (Jim McManus) and the HCC Health Scrutiny Committee Member (Cllr Maureen McKay).

Monitoring of Previous Recommendations/Actions

Update on Cultural Strategy – Members were advised that the update would cover Stevenage Museum, Gordon Craig Theatre and a general update on the Cultural Strategy.

Policy Development – Portfolio Holder Advisory Group (PHAG) Meetings – It was confirmed that PHAG meetings on the Homelessness & Rough Sleepers Strategy and Older Persons Strategy would be held on 11 July 2019. The other PHAG topics were Damp & Condensation Policy and Aids and Adaptations Policy, Housing Service Charge Review, Rent Policy, Community Centre Review, Tenancy Strategy and Customer Strategy. Members were advised that they would be notified as soon as dates for these Portfolio Holder Advisory Group meetings were confirmed.

The Scrutiny Officer indicated to the Committee that any unscheduled potential review topics would be added to the Work Programme if suitable dates were available. Cllr T Callaghan took advice on a potential interest in the Portfolio Holder Advisory Group meeting on the Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the main review items, one off meetings, statutory and standing items, review revisits and policy development items on the 2019-20 Work Programme are noted

2.         That the Meeting Schedule for 2019-20 is noted

3.         That SBC officers and representatives of Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) prepare a submission for the Committee

4.         That the objective of the  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

The Committee considered the Work Programme and meeting schedule for the Community Select Committee (CSC) for 2019-20. The Scrutiny Officer informed Members that the High/Medium/Low rating was a measure of the issue’s importance on the CSC work schedule.

Sports and Leisure across the Town – The Committee agreed that this review should be pursued. Members indicated that the review should consider the following:

·         Current sports and leisure offer in Stevenage

·         Publicity on the SBC website and other platforms

·         The health, sports and leisure link

·         Stevenage Leisure Limited

The Assistant Director (Communities and Neighbourhoods) informed the Committee that the SLL contract was due for renewal in 2023. Preparations for contract negotiations would start at the beginning of the 2020/21 Municipal year. It was noted that there was likely to be a crossover of the CSC’s review of Fairlands Valley sports and leisure offer including the sailing centre and the Environment and Economy review on parks in Stevenage.

Neighbourhood Wardens – Members noted that the review would provide clarity on the job description and working arrangements of Neighbourhood Wardens. It was agreed that the review would be particularly important in view of the proposed area-based working model. Following discussions, Members agreed that due to time and logistics constraints it would not be feasible to include community centres in the scope of this review.   

Statutory Item – Crime & Disorder Committee – The Committee noted that this meeting gave Members the opportunity to receive updates on community safety issues. 

Standing Item – Public Health – The Chair commended the support provided by the Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Director of Public Health (Jim McManus) and the HCC Health Scrutiny Committee Member (Cllr Maureen McKay).

Monitoring of Previous Recommendations/Actions

Update on Cultural Strategy – Members were advised that the update would cover Stevenage Museum, Gordon Craig Theatre and a general update on the Cultural Strategy.

Policy Development – Portfolio Holder Advisory Group (PHAG) Meetings – It was confirmed that PHAG meetings on the Homelessness & Rough Sleepers Strategy and Older Persons Strategy would be held on 11 July 2019. The other PHAG topics were Damp & Condensation Policy and Aids and Adaptations Policy, Housing Service Charge Review, Rent Policy, Community Centre Review, Tenancy Strategy and Customer Strategy. Members were advised that they would be notified as soon as dates for these Portfolio Holder Advisory Group meetings were confirmed.

The Scrutiny Officer indicated to the Committee that any unscheduled potential review topics would be added to the Work Programme if suitable dates were available. Cllr T Callaghan took advice on a potential interest in the Portfolio Holder Advisory Group meeting on Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy.  

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the main review items, one off meetings, statutory and standing items, review revisits and policy development items on the 2019-20 Work Programme are noted

2.         That the Meeting Schedule for 2019-20 is noted

3.         That SBC officers and representatives of Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) prepare a submission for the Committee

4.         That the objective of the update  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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.

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. 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 up –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

None.

None.

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.

Not required.

Not required.

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

None.

None.