Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.  However, in the interest of transparency, Councillor Ms Spence advised that she was a member of the Tonbridge Town Team and Councillor Coffin advised that he provided fireworks to events held at Tonbridge Castle. 

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 May 2018

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 May 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

The report presents a review of the Council’s approach to youth engagement, sports and events development and makes a number of suggestions for future delivery, together with potential associated savings.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services presented a review of the Council’s approach to youth engagement, sports and events development which focused on the costs and benefits of these three discretionary service areas, suggested a number of improvements for future service delivery and identified potential savings which could contribute to the Council’s Savings and Transformation Strategy.  The Committee was reminded of the scope of the review which had included an assessment of whether the activities funded by allocated revenue budgets continued to provide value for money, explored partnership opportunities and sought assurance that there was no duplication of service, demonstrated links to the Council’s key priorities and examined the potential scope to generate external funding to help support services and reduce overall costs.  In order to assist Members in the evaluation of each service area Annexes 1 to 3 of the report outlined the purpose of each service, current delivery arrangements, partnership involvement and the allocation of resources.  An assessment of value for money, associated risks, suggested way forward and potential associated savings were also provided.  A report from the Town Team on the management of events in Tonbridge, details of event management, youth and play development and sports development expenditure 2017/18, comments received from the Tonbridge and Malling Community Safety Partnership and a list of schools involved in the Youth Forum were circulated at the meeting. 

During consideration of the report a number of additional issues were raised and it was suggested that Cabinet be invited to consider the following:-

(1)          that additional income generating opportunities be explored to include the potential to re-charge licensing costs to organisers of commercial events and the potential introduction of an administration fee for community events on Council land dependent on, and related to, the scale;

(2)          that the proposal put forward by the Tonbridge Town Team to establish a joint working group to help co-ordinate and develop events be investigated;

(3)          that a further review of the costs and benefits of marketing and publicity activities across all Council services be undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with a view to reducing such costs where possible;

(4)          that wider use of social media to promote youth activities be encouraged;

(5)          that a wider participation of schools across the Borough in the Youth Forum be promoted via the Enterprise Advisor Network; and

(6)          that a report be made to the Communities and Housing Advisory Board in one year’s time to update on progress made in relation to the recommendations arising from the Review of Youth Engagement, Sports and Events Development.

The Committee concluded that the services supported the Council’s key priorities, offered value for money, attracted investment into the Borough and, in addition to a direct level of income, provided broader economic, health and social benefits.  It was, therefore

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the contribution made by the Council’s delivery of Youth Engagement, Sports and Events Services to the achievement of its strategic objectives be acknowledged;

(2)          the  ...  view the full minutes text for item OS 18/21

The report sets out the basis of a review of the Council’s public conveniences across the Borough.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services set out the basis of a review of the Council’s provision of public conveniences.  It was reported that the review would incorporate a detailed audit of existing provision and examine alternative options to ensure that future service delivery met an identified need and was as cost effective as possible.  Members requested that the use of public conveniences by lorry and taxi drivers be included in the factors to be taken into account (as set out at paragraph 1.2.2 of the report) when assessing current usage.  With regard to the Options to be included in the review as set out at paragraph 1.4.1 of the report, the Committee supported items (ii) to (vi), subject to the expansion of (v) to include the Leisure Trust and Kent County Council. 

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          a detailed audit of the Council’s current provision of public conveniences be progressed;

(2)          the exclusion of option (i) and inclusion of options (ii) to (vi) as set out in sub-section 1.4 of the report be confirmed;

(3)          a full review of the Council’s future provision and delivery of public conveniences be progressed; and

(4)          a report on the outcome of the review be presented to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be held on 18 October 2018.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.