| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| TF 06/017 |
Update on any action identified in the last Minutes. |
No matters were identified. |
| TF 06/018 |
Minutes |
The Minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 4 September 2006 were received and agreed as a correct record of the proceedings. |
| TF 06/019 |
Kent County Council Services Update |
Mr L Flory circulated an update on the 'Towards 2010' consultation being undertaken by the County Council; provided an update on highways issues; outlined investigation of the provision of Homes to School Transport and advised the Forum of Local Board and Members Grants allocated in the current financial year. |
| TF 06/020 |
'Sport in Tonbridge - the Next Five Years' |
The Chairman advised that Mr Alan Nicholl, Chairman of the Tonbridge Sports Association, was unable to attend due to ill-health and that Mr Robert Styles, Chief Leisure Officer, would make the presentation on behalf of the TSA. Mr Styles outlined the aims and achievements of the Association which was established in 1920, examined its relationship with both the community and the Borough Council and highlighted the wide scope of its involvement with sporting activities within the borough. Liz and Reg Spicer gave a detailed presentation on the history and activities of the Tonbridge Junior Football Club, which had been formed in 1992 and was the largest junior football club in Kent. Mr and Mrs Spicer advised that the club consisted of 350 children and young people playing in 13 mini-soccer teams, 12 11-a-side teams and 1 team of 13-15 year old girls. The Forum noted that the club had over sixty actively involved adult volunteers, most of these being qualified with the Football Association. Particular reference was made to the Tonbridge Mini Soccer Alliance which owned and operated the Regal Pavilion at Racecourse Sportsground and to the UK's largest annual mini soccer tournament which had been hosted by the TJFC for the last twelve years. Mr Spicer outlined the future aims and aspirations of the club and made reference to the need for improved access to the Regal Pavilion and to the provision of floodlit artificial surfaces to provide effective mid-week training. He concluded the presentation by thanking the Borough Council for its continued support. Mr Bill Warner gave a detailed presentation on the history and activities of the Cowdrey Cricket Club which had been established in 1948 and was based at the Swanmead Sportsground. He advised that the club's main focus of attention was the 'colt' section and the development of young players to support the club's aspiration for promotion to the Kent Cricket League. Finally, the Forum received a detailed presentation from Mr Darren Grasby of the Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Football Club which had been established in 1904 by the Skinners Society. He reported that the club consisted of 500 players (senior men, senior ladies, under 14s and under 17 (girls) and mini (under 13s) with an approximate membership of 750 people. Details of the club's activities, successes and aspirations were outlined and he made particular reference to the need to maintaining the enthusiasm of the volunteers and to encouraging young people into the sport. Mr Grasby advised that the club employed a Rugby Development Officer to encourage all the schools in the West Kent area to participate in the game and he anticipated that, by attracting more people to the sport, the Club may need to double its number of pitches by 2010. Mr Styles concluded the presentations with reference to the other clubs and associations which provided a range of sporting activities in and around Tonbridge and which encouraged young people to play sport. He made reference to the need to develop a healthy attitude to physical activity amongst children and to the recent encouragement of sporting activity within schools. Questions were raised about the availability and training of volunteers, the consequences of child protection requirements, the provision of practice facilities, the standards imposed by the various leagues and/or governing bodies and the use of school facilities by the whole community. Each of the speakers responded with examples of how these matters affected their particular club, while Mr Flory advised that the County Council was currently in discussion with the local schools regarding access to sporting and other activities during evenings and weekends. The representative from the Tonbridge Volunteer Bureau suggested that the speakers should contact the bureau as it may have details of people wishing to help with their club activities. Further questions were raised about the encouragement of girls to play cricket, football or rugby and the availability of funding for equipment and kit from the Football Association and other governing bodies. In closing, the Chairman thanked the representatives of the clubs for their interesting and informative presentations and congratulated everyone involved in the organisation of sport in Tonbridge. |