| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| LAA 08/001 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| LAA 08/002 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Notes of the meeting of the Leisure and Arts Advisory Board held on 15 October 2007 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| LAA 08/003 |
Open Space Strategy Decision Notice D080013MEM |
The joint report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure and Cabinet Members for Leisure, Youth and Arts and Planning and Transportation and presentation by Dr Joy Standeven set out details of the development of an Open Space Strategy for Tonbridge and Malling in accordance with the Government Guidance contained within Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 (PPG17) which required that the Council's Local Development Framework included, inter alia, policies and proposals for the protection, enhancement and provision of open space. It was noted that the Open Space Strategy would aid the delivery of the Council's corporate priorities in relation to healthy living, crime reduction, young people and the achievement of a better street scene and open space environment. Congratulations were recorded to Dr Joy Standeven and the officers of Leisure and Planning Services for the preparation of a robust assessment of need within the Borough and the audit of existing open spaces. The report brought forward a proposed programme of consultation and outlined the arrangements for the development of an Action Plan which would inform both the review of the Leisure and Arts Strategy and the remainder of the Local Development Framework process. RECOMMENDED: That: (1) the draft Open Space Strategy be circulated for consultation as outlined in the report; and (2) the outcome of the consultation and the revised Open Space Strategy be brought forward to the May 2008 meetings of the Leisure and Arts and Planning and Transportation Advisory Boards for consideration prior to submission to the Policy Overview Committee. |
| LAA 08/004 |
Leisure Services - Review of Charges 2008/09 |
The joint report of the Chief Leisure Officer and the Director of Finance outlined proposed charges in respect of Poult Wood Golf Centre, Tonbridge Cemetery, Tonbridge Castle Council Chamber/Wedding Charges, the Summer Playscheme, pitch hire for sportsgrounds within Tonbridge and car parking at the Council's two Country Parks. RECOMMENDED: That, subject to a satisfactory outcome to the budget setting process, (1) the scale of charges for Poult Wood Golf Centre, as detailed at Annex 2 to the report, be agreed and implemented with effect from 1 April 2008; (2) the proposed increase in pitch hire charges for Tonbridge Sportsgrounds, as detailed at Annex 3 to the report, be agreed and implemented with effect from 1 April 2008; (3) the scale of charges for Tonbridge Cemetery, as detailed at Annex 5 to the report, be agreed and implemented with effect from 1 April 2008; (4) the proposed charges for Tonbridge Castle Chamber and the associated list of concessionary users, as shown at Annexes 6, 7, and 8 to the report, be approved and implemented from 1 April 2008; (5) the proposed charges for Weddings in 2009/10 at Tonbridge Castle be agreed as detailed in the report; (6) the proposed charges for the 2008 Summer Playscheme, as detailed at Annex 10 to the report, be approved; (7) the proposed charges for car parking at Leybourne Lakes Country Park, as detailed in the report, be agreed and implemented from 1 April 2008; and (8) the introduction of car parking charges at Haysden Country Park, as outlined in the report, be agreed subject to further liaison with the customer panel and Tonbridge Sports Association, and be implemented from 1 April 2008 subject to the enabling works being progressed. *Referred to Cabinet |
| LAA 08/005 |
Leisure Services Business Unit - Review of Charges |
The joint report of the Chief Leisure Officer and the Director of Finance outlined proposed charges in respect of Larkfield Leisure Centre, Angel Centre, Tonbridge Swimming Pool, Tonbridge Farm All Weather Area and Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground Games Hut. Members' attention was drawn to the need to consider the charging proposals alongside the Leisure Services Business Unit draft revenue estimates reported to the Finance and Property Advisory Board on 2 January 2008. During consideration of this item concern was expressed that local authorities were required to pay National Non-Domestic Rates and the Board noted that, if the Business Unit had been transferred to a trust, the trust would be eligible to apply for discretionary rate relief. RECOMMENDED: That, subject to a satisfactory outcome to the budget setting process, (1) the scale of charges with regard to Larkfield Leisure Centre, as set out in Annex 1 to the report, be implemented with effect from 1 April 2008; (2) the scale of charges with regard to the Angel Centre, as set out in Annex 2 to the report, be implemented with effect from 1 April 2008; (3) the scale of charges with regard to Tonbridge Swimming Pool and the Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground Games Hut, as set out in Annex 3 to the report, be implemented with effect from 1 April 2008; and (4) the Cabinet make representations at Ministerial level requesting that the law be amended to allow councils to be relieved of the requirement to pay National Non-Domestic Rates on their leisure centres. *Referred to Cabinet |
| LAA 08/006 |
Y-2 Crew Summer Scheme Decision Notice D080014MEM |
The joint report of the Chief Leisure Officer and the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Youth and Arts presented an operational review of the 2007 Y-2 Crew programme and brought forward a number of suggestions for next year. It was noted that this scheme was funded by a range of partnership organisations and that provision of the programme outlined in the report was subject to the level of funding received. RECOMMENDED: That (1) subject to partnership funding being secured, the Y-2 Crew scheme be operated in 2008; (2) subject to final approval by the Chief Solicitor, the proposed Partnership Agreement be adopted and implemented; and (3) the proposed changes to the 2008 Y-2 Crew scheme outlined in the report be approved. |
| LAA 08/007 |
Tonbridge Castle Festival of Music and Fireworks Decision Notice D080015MEM |
The joint report of the Chief Leisure Officer and the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Youth and Arts set out details of the programme and ticket price proposals for the above event scheduled to be held on 11, 12 and 13 July 2008. In light of the increased popularity of the event the Chief Leisure Officer, in association with the Council's Health and Safety Officer and the Fire Safety Officer, was asked to re-examine the maximum number of people which could be safely accommodated at the venue to ensure that maximum capacity was achieved. RECOMMENDED: That: (1) the proposed Festival programme brought forward by Musical Associates for 2008 be agreed; (2) the capacity for the performances be increased to 1,600 and be reflected in the Event Safety Plan; (3) the proposed ticket prices for the 2008 Festival as outlined in the report be agreed; and (4) the Chief Leisure Officer, in association with the Council's Health and Safety Officer and the Fire Safety Officer, re-examine the capacity levels at Tonbridge Castle. |
| LAA 08/008 |
Mystery Shopper Reports Decision Notice D080016MEM |
The joint report of the Chief Leisure Officer and the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Youth and Arts provided the results of the 2007 Mystery Shopper Visits to the Council's main leisure facilities. The report identified a number of key areas for improvement, which would either be addressed immediately or incorporated in the relevant service improvement plans for each facility. Congratulations were recorded to the officers and staff of the Leisure Services Business Unit for the achievement of excellent results. RECOMMENDED: That the 2007 Mystery Shopper results be noted, the identified areas of improvement be addressed, and the results be considered within the relevant service improvement plans for each facility. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| LAA 08/009 |
Quest Award |
Members were pleased to note the results of the recent Quest Award assessment of the Angel Centre and congratulated the officers and staff on their achievement of a quality score of 81%. |
| LAA 08/010 |
Healthy Living - External Funding |
The report of the Chief Leisure Officer provided a progress report on the use of external funding from West Kent PCT and the Big Lottery Fund to support the Council's Excel programme for 11-15 year olds and the Lifestyles Referral Programme. |
| LAA 08/011 |
Capital Plan Progress Report |
The report updated the Board on progress with schemes contained within the Leisure Services section of the Capital Plan. Members' attention was drawn to the arrangements for the formal opening of the new internal walkway at Larkfield Leisure Centre. |
| LAA 08/012 |
Leisure Facilities - Financial Performance |
Management Information for Larkfield Leisure Centre, Angel Centre, Tonbridge Swimming Pool, Poult Wood Golf Centre, Tonbridge Castle/Customer Services, Tonbridge Cemetery and the Grounds Maintenance at Poult Wood was summarised in the report. Members' attention was drawn to the amended format of the report which provided greater detail on variances in either income or expenditure at each of the facilities. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| LAA 08/013 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
No items were considered in private. |