Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 8

23 September 2002

Discovery Centres - Taking the Concept Forward

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Mike Wickenden Ext: 6007

1. Summary

That the following preliminary list of sites for Discovery Centres be approved and that detailed planning be continued to further develop the projects:

Phase 1a

Gosport Basingstoke

Romsey Lyndhurst

Odiham Alton

Winchester

2. Reasons for the Recommendation

To develop Discovery Centres in the above locations in line with the presentation made to members in April of this year.

3. Other options considered and rejected

Develop all phase 1 sites, any more would cause serious problems in the capacity of the department.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker, or a member or officer consulted

None

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

Not applicable.

6. Reasons for matter being dealt with, if urgent

Not applicable.

Approved by: (Signature) Date: (of decision)

Councillor J. Waddington

................................. .........................

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 8

23 September 2002

Discovery Centres - Taking the Concept Forward

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Mike Wickenden Ext: 6007

1. Summary

1.1 Members were introduced to the concept of Discovery Centres in April and following discussions at both the Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee and Cabinet, supported further development. Officers of the Recreation and Heritage department and other departments of the County Council have been looking at identifying a preliminary list of potential pilot sites, which has now been compiled.

1.2 Approval is sought from the Executive Member to the preliminary list, the commissioning of detailed design work to develop the concept at the pilot sites and to enable further consultation to take place with both users and non-users.

2. Background

2.1 The Discovery Centre presents the opportunity to respond to the growing need for greater integrated access to public services throughout Hampshire and is part of a wider response to the gradual decline in book lending nationwide. It will exploit information and communications technology (ICT) to the full and could create a "supermarket" of services on a single site thus contributing significantly to the emerging e-government agenda. The mix of services within each centre will depend completely on local circumstances and the views of the community being served.

2.2 Centres will be building-based but with significant virtual access to services and information where space is restricted.

2.3 Initial research has centred on Library premises and other service outlets managed by the Recreation and Heritage department. Collaboration with all other partners both within the County Council and throughout the wider community is also underway to ensure every opportunity is taken to rationalise public service provision in and around the emerging Discovery Centres.

3. Process

3.1 In drawing up the list of potential sites, properties throughout the portfolio of Recreation and Heritage services have been considered. Candidate sites have initially emerged largely from the Library Service, due mainly to their central location, flexibility of available space and the imminent implementation of the Peoples' Network. In addition, a community centre in the New Forest which houses a library and a former `tele-cottage' in Hart have been included.

3.2 Contacts with other departments have been made to initiate discussions on the potential to house satellite services in the new centres or possibly relocate existing services at other locations in the Discovery Centre. Such relocations could in turn assist with the funding of building alterations. Other stakeholders will be consulted, including District Councils, health and the voluntary sector in order to widen the potential collaboration at the location.

4. Preliminary List of Sites

4.1 For planning purposes, 12 sites have been selected and divided into two phases:

Phase 1a Phase 1b

Gosport Library Andover

Basingstoke Library Aldershot

Romsey Library Fareham

Lyndhurst Community Association and Library Farnborough

Odiham, The Bury Havant

Alton Library

Winchester Library

5. Phase 1a Sites

5.1 For each Phase 1a site a project manager has been allocated to carry through the detailed planning and local consultation on the proposals. Support and direction is provided by a central steering group led by the Head of Arts, Sports and Community. All project managers have completed a template designed to collect basic site information and potential ideas for widening access to a number of popular public services.

5.2 Gosport Library has extensive accommodation and presents an ideal opportunity to re-present existing and new facilities and services through an exciting zoning approach including zones for Lifelong Learning, employment, information, research and study, teens, children, café and internet. Available space also suggests that a programme of performance and participatory arts and workshops could be supported.

5.3 Basingstoke Library offers the opportunity to develop a visual arts focus as well as in improvements to the presentation of the whole facility. The Borough Council has already expressed a keen interest in working in partnership.

5.4 Romsey Library enjoys a large site and could offer opportunities for wider participation and expansion which should help to accommodate the Peoples' Network.

5.5 Lyndhurst Library occupies two rooms in the Lyndhurst Community Association building. The Association are keen to expand their role and have for some time wished to provide ICT facilities for the community and the many visitors to the area. Stakeholders are looking at a number of opportunities for greater collaboration on the site, particularly for ICT training.

5.6 Odiham has been selected as there is an opportunity to consider expanding access to public services and information through the availability of a County Council property currently housing local groups. Hart District Council is an active partner in looking at the feasibility of some relocation in the village.

5.7 Alton Library is to be replaced as part of the current capital programme. Plans have been finalised and the opportunity has been taken to consider the internal layout of the building in line with the Discovery Centre concept.

5.8 Winchester Library remains in the medium term capital programme and any further developments in the project will take account of the Discovery Centre concept particularly collaborations with local history, local studies collections and the work of the Hampshire Record Office.

5.9 Sites listed under Phase 1b are, at this stage, tentatively identified and may change. However, officers are investigating the potential at each site in readiness for more detailed planning once sufficient experience has been gained from Phase 1a.

Recommendation

That the preliminary list of sites for Discovery Centres be approved and that detailed planning be continued to further develop the projects listed in Phase 1a.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the act.

TITLE LOCATION

None.