Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Leisure and Arts Advisory Board held on 15 September 2014

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Leisure and Arts Advisory Board held on 15 September 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure and the Director of Finance and Transformation outlined the charging proposals in respect of Tonbridge Cemetery, Tonbridge Pitch Hire Charges and the Summer Playscheme.  Members were advised that the proposed charges took into account a range of factors including the Council's overall financial position, trading patterns and market position, the current rate of inflation, competing facilities and customer feedback.  Reference was made to the Council's Leisure Pass Scheme which enabled financially disadvantaged residents to participate in leisure activities at concessionary rates.

It was noted that proposed charges for facilities managed by Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust would be considered at the next meeting of the Advisory Board.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)            the proposed charges for Tonbridge Cemetery as detailed at Annex 2 to the report be agreed and implemented with effect from 1 April 2015;

(2)                pitch hire charges at Tonbridge Sportsgrounds be increased as outlined within the report for implementation from 1 April 2015; and

(3)                the proposed charges for the 2015 Summer Playscheme as detailed at Annex 3 to the report be approved.
*Referred to Cabinet

Decision Notice D140138MEM

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure and Cabinet Member for Leisure, Youth and Arts gave details of the work of the Kent Woodland Employment Scheme, a new charity set up to provide training and employment for ex-Service personnel, young people and ex-offenders in Kent’s ancient woodlands.  Proposals were brought forward for engagement with the charity in respect of opportunities for partnership working with the suggestion that Holly Hill woods be progressed as the first site under the scheme.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)       subject to a legal review of the formal Management Agreement, the Council work in partnership with the Kent Woodlands Employment Scheme initially in the management of Holly Hill woods; and

(2)       the Council continue discussions with the Charity with the aim of broadening its engagement across other sites within the Council’s ownership.

Decision Notice D140139MEM

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure and Cabinet Member for Leisure, Youth and Arts presented details of the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust’s performance and financial position, the Annual Service Delivery Plan – Cumulative Quarterly Monitoring Report being set out as an Annex and incorporating a colour code system against areas of progress.  Officers undertook to investigate the possibility of separating the business and customer outcomes elements in the presentation of the monitoring reports.

It was noted with satisfaction that a recent Quest inspection at Larkfield Leisure Centre had resulted in an assessment of ‘Excellent’.

RECOMMENDED:  That:

(1)       the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust Annual Service Delivery Plan – Cumulative Quarterly Monitoring Report for 1 April to 30 September 2014 be noted; and

(2)       the results of the Quest Assessment report for Larkfield Leisure Centre be noted.

Decision Notice D140140MEM

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure and Cabinet Member for Leisure, Youth and Arts outlined the background to the Fields in Trust Centenary Fields initiative aimed at securing and protecting a range of green spaces in perpetuity in commemoration of the centenary of World War 1.  Consideration was given to a proposal for Tonbridge Memorial Gardens to be dedicated under the scheme.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)       subject to consideration of the Deed of Dedication by the Director of Central Services, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council nominate Tonbridge Memorial Gardens for dedication under the Centenary Fields scheme; and

(2)       Fields in Trust be invited to present the scheme to a future meeting of the Parish Partnership Panel.

Decision Notice D140141MEM

Capital Plan Post Implementation Reviews were brought forward for consideration in respect of Tonbridge Cemetery:  Path Improvements and Tonbridge Cemetery:  Memorial Garden Vaults.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Post Implementation Reviews for the projects outlined in the report be endorsed.

The report provided an update on the outcome of the retendering of the Ground Maintenance Contract including the Cabinet’s decision to award the contract to Landscape Services Limited for the sum of £534,844.13 (Decision Number D140123CAB).  It was noted that a saving of approximately £90,000 had been achieved on the core contract which would be reflected in the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Members were updated on key areas of the Children and Young People work programme including Activate, the Summer Playscheme, the Y2 Crew programme and the Youth Forum.  An indication was given of plans for 2015.

Reference was made to the forthcoming presentation of a Young Achiever Award and Members were requested to encourage people to nominate future recipients.  The Advisory Board was also updated on the appointment of Ruth Lowe as the new Youth and Play Development Officer and the outcome of the Tonbridge and Malling Childrens Centre Ofsted report.

The Advisory Board received a presentation which provided an overview of the range of events that had taken place in the Borough throughout the year.  The report gave an update on recent and future events, some delivered directly and others by community groups with the assistance of the Council.  It was requested that the presentation be made available to all Members and its inclusion on the website be investigated.

The report gave details of progress with schemes contained in the Leisure Services section of the Capital Plan.  Members were advised that it was anticipated that the new bridge at Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge would be installed on 11 December and open for use before the Christmas holiday.

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.