Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the RECREATION AND HERITAGE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE held at Gosport Museum on Thursday 22nd May 2003.

PRESENT:

Councillors: M.S. Geddes (Chairman); Mrs S.E. Allbright; R.J. Baulk; J.V. Bryant; Mrs E.M. Byrom; K.G. Chapman; P.J. Chegwyn; J.E. Coles; Dr. R.J. Ellis; E.F. Gale; B.T. Gurden; Jo Kelly; P.K. Mason; P.A. Pierce; R.H. Price; A.W. Rice; K.P.J. Searle.

75 PRESENTATION ON THE DISCOVERY CENTRE CONCEPT

The Director of Recreation and Heritage introduced the Discovery Centre Concept which had been developed over the last year with the aim of halting the decline in the usage of museums and libraries. Local needs would have to be responded to and it was envisaged that each of the pilot schemes would proceed in a different way as they would serve different communities. Attention was then drawn to the specific Gosport scheme and it was stressed that consultation would be undertaken in respect of the details. The whole building would be upgraded with the aim of providing a "supermarket of services"; a café, quiet areas, noisy areas and meeting and conference facilities would be provided with IT power being available throughout the building. Maritime displays would be provided using material from the museum, the library and the archive section in the light of Gosport's association with the sea.

Members of the Committee expressed support for the concept and were advised that consultation on opening hours would be undertaken and that books available at libraries throughout the county could be ordered at the Gosport Centre. Discussion took place on the relationship between the museum and the discovery centre with a view to convening an early meeting of the joint management committee to resolve any outstanding concerns.

76 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate declare their interest, and having regards to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

77 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2003 were confirmed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

78 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman commented on the following:-

(i) Tour of Sites

Members were reminded of the tour of Recreation and Heritage sites in north and north-east Hampshire to be undertaken on 3^rd July 2003 and were urged to return their forms if they had not done so.


(ii) Recreation and Heritage Staff Party

Members of the Committee would be invited to the Recreation and Heritage staff party which was to be held on 14^th June.

79 BEST VALUE REVIEW OF THE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the re-inspection of the Library and Information Service undertaken by the Audit Commission in January 2003; their report had described it as "a good two-star service that has promising prospects for improvement". The recommendations contained in the report were now being implemented and incorporated into the reorganisation of the service which was nearing completion. They would be carried forward and monitored in the context of the service planning and performance monitoring process now underway in the Recreation and Heritage Department. The formal progress report on the review was attached to the report and concluded that the Library and Information Service Best Value improvement plan had been fully implemented and was effectively complete.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the successful completion of the Best Value Review of the Library and Information Service be noted.


(ii) That the progress report on the Review be approved for inclusion in the 2003/04 Best Value Performance Plan.

80 BUDGET 2003/04, GROWTH AND SAVINGS PLANS

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the budget proposals for 2003/04 for Recreation and Heritage. Councillor Chegwyn declared a personal interest in respect of the proposal to expand the events programme as mentioned in paragraph 3.2 of the report. The final approved budget contained some differences from that considered by the Committee and the Executive Member in January. In summary £635,000 had been added to the budget for inescapable pressures and legislative commitments and the service had also been allowed to retain £393,000 being the 1.5% savings earlier identified. To these two figures £846,000 already provided for new initiatives should be added making the total amount for reallocation £1,874,000. This figure had provisionally been allocated to expanding the user base of the department's facilities, supporting ICT development in the service, developing the marketing of the department's services and supporting the departmental training and development plan.

RESOLVED:

That the spending plans outlined in paragraph 3 of the report be supported and submitted to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage for his consideration.

81 TILE BARN OUTDOOR DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

The Committee considered the report of Director of Recreation and Heritage and the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services on a permanent residential facility for young people and an improved office facility at the Tile Barn Outdoor Centre in Brockenhurst. The new accommodation block would enable the centre to be used throughout the year and the replacement office building had been designed to provide a more effective reception point for the centre, providing better working space for staff and a clearly designated arrival point for groups. In addition the design incorporated much needed improvements for equipment storage and provided a more appropriate "observation point" from which to supervise the site as a whole. Members requested the installation of a sprinkler system and increased landscaping on site for security reasons; in response they were advised that the woodland round the whole site had been improved and that electrically operated gates would improve security.

RESOLVED:

That the permanent residential facility for young people, the improved office facility and the removal of the temporary buildings from the site be supported and submitted to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage for his consideration, subject to him considering the provision of a sprinkler system at the facility.

82 RECREATION AND HERITAGE ANNUAL REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the draft Recreation and Heritage annual report. It was felt that the Members of the Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee should be listed in the document and concerns were expressed as to the ease of reading the text which was printed on a blue background. In respect of the Members Page it was felt that the role of all Members should be stressed rather than just the Chairman.

RESOLVED:

That the Recreation and Heritage Annual Report be noted and, following approval by the Chairman of the final version, be circulated to all Members of the County Council, the Corporate Management Team, partners, all appropriate local authorities and interested parties.

83 "CREATIVE HAMPSHIRE, THE ARTS ENGAGING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE"

Mr Curtis gave a presentation on the scheme entitled "Creative Hampshire, The Arts engaging with young people" the aim of which was to get pupils to think creatively and would entail provision of access to professionals working in creative fields. This would not just involve painting and the visual arts but would also include music and IT. It was linked to the nationwide creative partnerships programme and in Hampshire existing facilities in schools had first been examined. Some examples of the scheme were drama workers visiting schools, community music at the Anvil Theatre in Basingstoke, and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra mini concerts.

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