Agenda and minutes

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

However, Councillor N Heslop referred to a potential interest in the item on Leisure Services - Review of Charges 2014/15 which might have implications for the Bridge Trust on the grounds that he was a member of its Board. Councillor Mrs Anderson, similarly, advised regarding that item that she was the Chairman of the Tonbridge and Malling Citizens' Advice Bureau.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Leisure and Arts Advisory Board held on Monday, 16 September 2013

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Leisure and Arts Advisory Board held on 16 September 2013 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 gave an update on the successful transfer of the management of the Council's main leisure facilities to a new Trust on 1 November 2013.  Reference was made to the recruitment of the Board of Trustees and election of Mr Alan Nicholl as its first Chairman.  It was noted that regular update reports on the performance of the Trust against the agreed outcomes would be presented to the Advisory Board.

The report also brought forward a review of the core charges for each facility and explained the basis on which the Trust's proposals could be made in accordance with the Management Agreement.  It was agreed that in future the percentage increases be shown in the schedule of proposed charges.

Members expressed appreciation of the efforts of everyone involved in establishment of the new Trust.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)  the successful transfer of the management of the Council's main leisure facilities to a new Trust be noted;

(2)  the proposed core charges outlined in Annex 1 to the report be approved and implemented from 1 April 2014; and

(3)  a report on the charges for Poult Wood Golf Centre be considered at the next meeting of the Advisory Board.

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, Allotments in Tonbridge, Tonbridge Pitch Hire Charges, Tonbridge Castle Council Chamber, Weddings and the Summer Playscheme.  Members were advised that the proposed charges took into account a range of factors including policy objectives for each facility/service, the Council's overall financial position, market conditions 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.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)  the proposed charges for Tonbridge Cemetery, as detailed at Annex 3 to the report, be agreed and implemented with effect from 1 April 2014;

(2)  the proposed charges for Tonbridge Allotments, as detailed in the report, be agreed and implemented with effect from 1 October 2014;

(3)  pitch hire charges at Tonbridge Sportsground be increased as outlined within the report for implementation from 1 April 2014;

(4)  the proposed amendments to the list of Tonbridge Castle Chamber concessionary users, as set out at Annex 5 to the report, be approved;

(5)  the proposed charges for Tonbridge Castle Chamber, as shown at Annex 7 to the report, be approved and implemented from 1 April 2014;

(6)  the proposed charges for weddings in 2015/16 at Tonbridge Castle be agreed as detailed in the report; and

(7)  the proposed charges for the 2014 Summer Playscheme, as detailed at Annex 9 to the report, be approved.

Decision Notice D130146MEM

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure and Cabinet Member for Leisure, Youth and Arts brought forward proposed terms and conditions for the catering concession and fishing rights at Leybourne Lakes Country Park.

It was noted that discussions would be taking place with two local Snodland clubs currently sub-letting from Mid Kent Fisheries to investigate opportunities for them to be retained at the site through direct agreements with the Council.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)  the proposed terms and conditions for the Mobile Catering Concession and Fishing Rights at Leybourne Lakes Country Park, as outlined in the report, be noted and reported for consideration to the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board on 8 January 2014; and

(2)  the outcome of the competitive quotations be reported to the Leisure and Arts Advisory Board in February 2014.

Decision Notice D130147MEM

A capital plan post implementation review was presented for consideration in respect of Tonbridge Farm Sportsground Pavilion Refurbishment.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Post Implementation Review for Tonbridge Farm Sportsground Pavilion Refurbishment be endorsed.

Decision Notice D130148MEM

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure and Cabinet Member for Leisure, Youth and Arts gave details of Access Audits undertaken at Tonbridge Cemetery, Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground and Tonbridge Farm Sportsground.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)  the Access Audits for Tonbridge Cemetery, Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground and Tonbridge Farm Sportsground, as set out respectively at Annexes 1 to 3 of the report, be noted;

(2)  suggestions within the Access Audits be progressed on a priority basis as funding is identified; and

(3)  Access Audits be undertaken of Tonbridge Castle Grounds in 2014, Haysden Country Park in 2015 and Leybourne Lakes Country Park in 2016.

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 Chairman invited Members to send any photographs of local events supported by the Council for incorporation in future presentations.

The report provided feedback on the 2013 Festival which featured outstanding musicians in historic venues in and around West Malling.  Members congratulated the organisers on a successful festival.

The report provided an update on key areas of the Children and Young People work programme, including Activate, the Summer Playscheme, the Y2 Crew programme, the Local Children's Trust Board, Kent's Multi-agency Strategic Plan for Children and Young People and the Youth Forum.

Members were advised of the outcome of Kent County Council's review of Children's Centres, resulting in the closure of those at Hadlow and Larkfield.  It was noted, however, that investigations were ongoing with the County Council regarding the future provision of services and activities in those locations.  Local Members would be advised when any information became available.

The report gave details of the results of the latest Active People Survey undertaken by Sport England which focussed on sports participation rates.  Members were pleased to note that Tonbridge and Malling had the third highest adult participation rates in Kent, showing an increase of 7% since the first survey in 2005.

The report updated the Advisory Board on progress with schemes contained in the Leisure Services section of the Capital Plan.

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.