NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL
LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE
4 November 1999
PRESENT:- Councillor Smith in the chair.
Councillors Whiteley (vice-chair), Appleyard, Barkley, Billam,
Mrs Bromby, Carlile, Chapman, England, Gosling, M Kirk, P Kirk,
Long, Mrs Metcalfe, Phillips, Sherwood and Wood.
Councillors Barkworth, Grant and Rocks attended the meeting
under the provisions of Standing Order 40(b).
The committee met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.
704 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY OR NON-PECUNIARY INTERESTS
- Councillor England declared a non-pecuniary interest in
respect of minute 713 (Normanby Hall Country Park Progress
Report).
705 CHAIRS REMARKS - (i) Regional Culture Consortium
Board - The chair informed the committee that he was now a
member of the above Board.
706 (ii) Baths Hall, Scunthorpe 14 to 18 years olds
Dance Event - The chair referred to a recent dance event
for 14 to 18 year olds held at the Baths Hall, Scunthorpe which he
attended and stated that it had been a great success and suggested
that such events should be held on a more regular basis.
707 MINUTES - Resolved - That the minutes of
the proceedings of this committee of 9 September, 1999 having been
printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and
correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.
708 (36) ITEM REFERRED FROM THE MEETING OF THE POLICY
COMMITTEE HELD ON 7 OCTOBER, 1999 - REGENERATION PROGRAMMES
1999/2000 - ALLOCATIONS - The Director of Corporate
Affairs submitted the above minute and corresponding report of the
Director of Environment and Public Protection which had been
referred to all relevant committees/sub-committees to consider
including the funding profiles of three regeneration programmes for
1999/2000 in their revised estimates.
Resolved - That the minute and corresponding
report be noted.
709 (37) REVISED ESTIMATES 1999/2000 AND BASE BUDGETS
2000/2001 - The Director of Education and Personal
Development and the Director of Corporate Affairs submitted a joint
report which sought members' approval of the revised revenue
and capital estimates of the committee for 1999/2000 and the
present policies base budgets for 2000/2001. The above budgets were
summarised within the joint report, together with any major budget
variances which were detailed in appendix B. The committee was also
requested to prioritise new capital schemes as identified in
paragraph 3.8 and appendix D of the report for consideration by the
council in due course.
Resolved - (a) That the revised revenue
estimates for 1999/2000 and the present policies revenue base
budgets for 2000/2001 be approved; (b) that the revised capital
estimates for 1999/2000 and the budgetary impact of current schemes
on future years be approved, and (c) that the proposed new capital
schemes identified in paragraph 3.8 of the report be prioritised in
the following order (i) 20-20 One, (ii) Normanby Hall, (iii) Ashby
CRIC and be referred to council for consideration in due
course.
710 (38) LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SERVICES - STRATEGIC
REVIEW - The Director of Education and Personal
Development submitted a report seeking approval to implement a
planned strategic review of the provision of public libraries and
information services in North Lincolnshire.
The report explained that the Best Value Review of the service
undertaken during 1998 accepted that despite the detailed planning
for the modernisation of the service the existing pattern of
provision was rooted in a patchwork of historical rather than
strategic factors. Consequently, this led to a recommendation that
a thorough review of the library infrastructure be undertaken.
The objectives of the proposed review were set out in the
report, together with where research material would be drawn from.
The research was expected to take six months to allow adequate time
for appropriate consultation. This would also be compatible with
the timescales for work on the Annual Library Plan for the year
2000 which would be prepared during the summer and submitted to the
Department of Culture, Media and Sport by 30 September, 2000.
Resolved - (a) That a thorough strategic review
of the provision of libraries and information services in North
Lincolnshire be undertaken, and (b) that a further report be
submitted to a future meeting of this committee.
711 (39) PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL INFORMATION AND
SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT - Further to minute 294 and 521 the
Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report
which reviewed further the joint arrangement managed by the
Partnership for Regional Information and Systems Management (PRISM)
on behalf of the four unitary authorities of North Lincolnshire,
North East Lincolnshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire and Kingston
Upon Hull.
The report explained that although the performance of PRISM was
highly successful the present constitution and legal agreement
which defined PRISM lacked the necessary flexibility to address
external factors identified in the report, which may affect the
continued viability of PRISM. Consequently, the director in his
report identified several ways in which PRISM would legally
continue to provide and expand on its existing services, other than
by means of the present local authority joint arrangement. These
were -
- a private company
- a local authority company
- an unincorporated association
- a trust
- a trading arm of one council
All of these options were equally legally viable but the
possibility of one council setting up a trading unit would offer
the following advantages:-
- flexibility for each unitary authority to negotiate the basis
on which the service was to be provided.
- the continued provision of services, as required,
- to the partner authorities provision could be extended to any
other local authority or authorised body.
Moved by the chair and seconded by the vice-chair -
(a) That the vice-chair of this committee as a member of the
PRISM Joint Board undertake further discussions on the alternative
options for the future management of PRISM and that progress
reports be brought back to this committee, and (b) that North
Lincolnshire Libraries and Information Services remain a partner
within the PRISM joint arrangement until March 2001 or earlier if
the constitution and legal agreement are dissolved before that
date.
Moved by Councillor England and seconded by Councillor Wood as
an amendment -
That this council gives notice to the PRISM Joint Board to
withdraw from the scheme from November, 2000 so giving twelve
months notice.
Amendment Lost
At the request of members and in accordance with Standing Order
18(b) the names of members voting for and against the motion are as
follows:-
FOR: Councillors Barkley, Carlile, Gosling, M
Kirk, P Kirk, Mrs Metcalfe, Phillips, Smith and Whiteley.
AGAINST: Councillors Appleyard, Billam, Mrs
Bromby, Chapman, England, Long, Sherwood and Wood.
Motion Carried
712 (40) ARTS MUSEUMS AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES STRATEGY
- Further to minutes 512 and 517, the Director of
Education and Personal Development submitted a report advising the
committee of the appointment of consultants to produce an Arts,
Museums and Creative Industries Strategy (AMCIS) with the aim of
agreeing an area and sector wide approach to the arts, museums and
creative industries for North Lincolnshire as a whole and not just
North Lincolnshire Council.
The report summarised work carried out to date leading to the
production of a consultation draft by February 2000 and a final
draft by May 2000.
Resolved - That the report be noted.
713 (41) NORMANBY HALL COUNTRY PARK PROGRESS REPORT
- Further to minutes 533 and 632, the Director of
Education and Personal Development submitted a report informing the
committee of the outcome of 1999 Summer Season at Normanby Hall
Country Park and sought approval of new initiatives for the 2000
season.
The report explained that visits to Normanby Hall Country Park
by North Lincolnshire residents had increased by 62% in the 1999
season attributed to a number of initiatives identified in the
Marketing Strategy, although the number of visitors from outside
North Lincolnshire had fallen by 23%. Consequently, the issue of
making the Normanby Discount Card more easily available to local
residents was addressed within the report, together with proposed
measures to increase tourist visitors including 'product
improvements' and any events programme for the summer season
2000. Proposed fees and admission charges for the 2000 season for
North Lincolnshire residents and non-residents was also set out and
explained in paragraphs 3.3.1 and 3.3.2 of the report.
Resolved - (a) That the report be noted; (b)
that the inclusion of the Normanby Discount Card in the Council Tax
Mailing be approved; (c) that the events programme 2000 as appended
to the report be approved; (d) that the fees and admission charges
set out in paragraph 3.3.1 and 3.3.2 of the report be approved in
principle, subject to the budgetary process outcome; (e) that the
proposed developments for 2000 and the issue of additional
resources for marketing be explored when estimates are set, be
approved, and (f) that a feasibility study to increase and generate
more income to support fees and admission charges be undertaken
which should include income generated by situating a Caravan Park
within the Country Park.
714 (42) AREA MUSEUMS COUNCIL AND REGIONAL STRATEGY
- The Director of Education and Personal Development
submitted a report seeking the committee's views on the draft
strategy for the Yorkshire and Humberside Area Museums Council
(YHMC). The draft strategy had nine strategic aims which were
identified in the report, together with a number of proposed
actions to achieve those aims.
The report explained that the above strategy was shifting the
emphasis of its work towards developing visitor services and access
by improving the visitor experience through lifelong learning,
education and outreach initiatives, while trying to ensure the long
term care of the collections. This approach was adopted for the
North Lincolnshire Museums Service during the review which was
implemented last year. Many of the action points which YHMC
emphasised had already been achieved in North Lincolnshire and
plans were being developed for most of the others.
Resolved - That the above YHMC be
supported.
715 (43) YOUTH THEATRE PROGRESS REPORT -
Further to minute 760 the Director of Education and Personal
Development submitted a report informing the committee of recent
initiatives undertaken and future projects to be undertaken by the
Youth Theatre.
Resolved - That the report be noted.
716 (44) ROBINSON'S GROVE/GREENFIELD DRIVE,
HIBALDSTOW - PUBLIC OPEN SPACE - Further to minute 683 the
Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report
proposing grounds maintenance options available for the
Robinson's Grove/Greenfield Drive public open space.
The report explained that two options had been considered to
provide some screening along the boundary separating the public
open space from the Tarmac Homes site as follows:-
Option 1 - Plant a thorn hedge at a cost of £1,000, plus
an annual maintenance cost of £77.
Option 2 - Plant a 2 metre wide shrub bed at a cost of
£4,500, plus an annual maintenance cost of £310.
On the grounds of cost and the problems with establishing and
maintaining the existing shrub bed the planting of a thorn hedge
was considered to be the best option. Removing the goal posts on
site would also only encourage children to use the available fence
line as an alternative. This, in turn would lead to the fence then
being damaged and balls being struck into gardens on a more
frequent basis.
Moved by the chair and seconded by the vice-chair -
(a) That option 1 as detailed above and in paragraph 3.1 of the
report be implemented, and (b) that the goal posts on the public
open space remain in place.
Moved by Councillor Wood and seconded by Councillor England as
an amendment -
The motion with the deletion of (b) above.
Amendment Lost
Motion Carried
717 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC - Resolved - That
the public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the
following items (minutes 718 to 721 refer) on the grounds that they
involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in
paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act,
1972.
718 (45) 20 - 20 ONE - THE VISUAL ARTS CENTRE FOR NORTH
LINCOLNSHIRE - The Director of Education and Personal
Development submitted a report advising the committee of progress
with the St John's Church project to develop 20 - 20 One - The
Visual Arts Centre for North Lincolnshire. This included the need
to address financial issues arising from the tender process
including consideration of options for bridging the funding gap
which included -
- seeking an adjustment to the capital programme
- supporting the project from revenue budget
- seeking a contribution from useable capital receipts available
to this committee.
Resolved - That the option detailed in
paragraph 3.10 of the report (seeking a contribution from useable
capital receipts available to this committee) be the preferred
option this committee wishes to take to make up the projected
funding shortfall.
719 (46) FITNESS FACILITIES SCUNTHORPE AND ANCHOLME
LEISURE CENTRES - The Director of Education and Personal
Development and the Director of Commercial Services submitted a
joint report seeking approval to re-equip and refurbish the fitness
facilities at Scunthorpe and Ancholme Leisure Centres. Associated
resource implications were identified in the report.
Resolved - That the plan to re-equip and
refurbish the fitness facilities at Scunthorpe and Ancholme Leisure
Centres as detailed in the report, be approved.
720 (47) LAND SURPLUS TO OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- The Director of Education and Personal Development
submitted a report which considered a request from a local business
in Scunthorpe to purchase 0.4 hectares of land in the ownership of
the Leisure Services Committee (as identified in an appendix) in
order to expand their business. As well as meeting the cost of the
land in question the local business was also prepared to provide an
all weather ball court to mitigate this loss of public open space
as a free local amenity for casual use.
Under Section 123 (2A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the
council may not dispose of this land unless they first cause notice
of their intention to do so to be advertised in two consecutive
weeks in the local newspaper and consider any objections to the
proposed disposal which may be made to them.
Resolved - (a) That subject to the steps
described above and in paragraph 3.4 of the report the land
highlighted in appendix 1 be declared surplus to operational
requirements and referred to the Finance, Land and Property
Sub-Committee for consideration; (b) that subject to the above, the
offer to provide a multi use games area be approved, and (c) that
the Finance, Land and Property Sub-Committee be informed of the
wish of this Committee to apply for a proportion of any capital
receipts generated under the Capital Receipts Incentive Scheme.
721 (48) BATHS HALL - VENUE SUPERVISORS - The
Director of Education and Personal Development and the Director of
Corporate Affairs submitted a joint report advising the committee
of the outcome of a review of the venue supervisor staff at the
Baths Hall, Scunthorpe resulting from the implementation of the
Working Time Regulations, and sought approval of the proposed
grading of the post. Associated resource implications were also
identified in the report.
Resolved - (a) That the report be noted; (b)
that the proposed regrading to spinal column point 9 as detailed in
the report be approved and backdated to 1 April, 1999, and (c) that
the report be referred to the Personnel Sub-Committee for its
consideration and approval.
This schedule does not form part of the Minutes
FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION - SCHEDULE OF DECISIONS
MADE SINCE THE LAST MEETING BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE/DIRECTORS, IN
CONSULTATION WITH THE CHAIR OR VICE-CHAIR, IN MATTERS OF URGENCY
AND UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
Decision Record Reference - Subject and
Decision
LS/04/99 - Approval (a) to place an advert "2 for 1
voucher" in the East of England Tourist Board brochure for
overseas visitors and (b) to become a Royal Horticulture Society
Access Garden for the Summer Season 2000.
