AT A MEETING of the RECREATION AND HERITAGE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester, on Thursday 16 September 2004.

PRESENT:

Councillors: M.S. Geddes (Chairman); Mrs S.E. Allbright; Carol Boulton; Mrs E.M. Byrom; K.G. Chapman; P.J. Chegwyn; 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; Mrs M.D. Snaith

Also in attendance: Councillor J. Waddington, Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage; and Councillor Mrs Peskett.

160 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or a personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally declare at the time of the debate 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 is discussed.

No such interests were declared.

161 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 1 July, 2004 were confirmed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

162 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman announced that since the last meeting he had accompanied officers from the Property, Business and Regulatory Department to view the Discovery Centre at Gosport and that he had also visited the new bunkhouse accommodation at Tile Barn.

163 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS

No questions were submitted.

164 DEPUTATIONS

No requests to make deputations were received.

165 THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA AND THE BACKGROUND TO THE CURRENT ANNUAL LIBRARY PROCESS

Members considered the arrangements for the Committee to analyse the Tim Coates report `Who's in Charge' and to formulate a response on behalf of the County Council. (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That Councillors M.S. Geddes, (Chairman), R.J. Baulk, B.T. Gurden, Jo Kelly and Mrs M. Snaith be appointed to a Panel to consider the Tim Coates report `Who's in Charge' and to undertake detailed investigations and report back to the Policy Review Committee .

166 ANTONY GORMLEY EXHIBITION

The Committee received a presentation by the Director of the Recreation and Heritage (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the research undertaken of visitors to the Antony Gormley Exhibition held in the Great Hall, Winchester between 6 February to 23 March 2004.

The Director of Recreation and Heritage informed Members that through the auspices of the Festival of Art and Mind an offer was made to the County Council to hold an exhibition of Antony Gormley's Domain Sculptures, free of charge. Of the 90 sculptures in the collection only 47 were able to be displayed within The Great Hall. The display of the statues was carried out by Antony Gormley. Independent researchers were appointed to interview visitors to the exhibition and to give details of their findings. A total of 34,747 people visited the exhibition compared with the normal visitor numbers of 9,000 for the time of year. Visitors were placed into four categories and it was found that 47% were local residents, 36% others resident in Hampshire, 28% visitors from outside Hampshire and 9% from overseas. It was ascertained that 69% of the total number of visitors had come specifically to see the exhibition; the largest age group of 55-64 years was 20%; the greatest number of people had heard about the exhibition from the television, followed by newspapers, word of mouth and tourist information offices. Over 70% said they had enjoyed the exhibition very much. It was discovered that 31% had never attended a contemporary exhibition before. The local economy was estimated to have benefited by £250,000, being money spent by the visitors. The overall cost to the Recreation and Heritage Department was £12,000.

Members congratulated officers on the success of the exhibition and looked forward to other exhibitions being held in future years.

167 HEALTHY LIFESTYLES - HEALTHY HAMPSHIRE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the Healthy Hampshire Project for 2005-2007 which aimed to encourage the residents of Hampshire to adopt an active healthy lifestyle.

The Director of Recreation and Heritage explained that although the department already provided a number of services that aimed to increase the number of people and the time they spent taking part in an active lifestyle the proposal was to build on the current activity and work in partnership to encourage more people to adopt an active lifestyle. By providing a range of opportunities for people the project would contribute towards the corporate aims of maximising life opportunities and building strong and safe communities. The County Council had developed a total of nine independent health walks in partnership with New Forest District Council and the work was continuing. In addition a number of health walks had been developed by local authorities, primary care trusts and community organisations. The project would seek to achieve its aims by holding targeted events around the county, such as the Healthy Hampshire Festival as part of the Hampshire Youth Games, Parallel Games and Mini Games; improving the infrastructure and the accessibility of countryside and green space, developing more activity with partner organisations and raising awareness generally.

Members welcomed the report and felt that the primary care trusts should contribute more towards the project given the benefits that would ensue because of healthier communities and the indirect savings to the health economy. They urged that the partnerships with the primary care trusts be promoted and strengthened.

RESOLVED:

That the following views be submitted to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage for his consideration:

(a) That the principle of a Healthy Hampshire Project be welcomed;


(b) That the proposed 2005 Healthy Hampshire Festival as part of the Hampshire Youth Games, Parallel Games and Mini Games be supported.


(c) That partnerships with other relevant agencies and voluntary bodies be strengthened and promoted.

168 PUBLIC LIBRARY STANDARDS REPORT 2004

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the Public Library Standards Report 2004 which provides information about the County Council's performance against the national library standards and targets introduced by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in 2001.

The Director of Recreation and Heritage advised that each authority's performance would be rated on the basis of an analysis undertaken by assessors appointed by the DCMS. The report had had to be prepared in accordance with the guidance issued by the DCMS.

In the ensuing discussion Members acknowledged there had been an overall improvement in standards but expressed concern about the decline in library users, the book stock and the need for more internet facilities. The Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage acknowledged that the book stock needed to be improved.

RESOLVED:

That the Public Library Standards Report be supported and submitted to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage for his consideration.

169 LIBRARY OPENING HOURS: FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on a development plan to extend Hampshire's library opening hours for all libraries to be open on Easter Saturday, Sundays and selected Bank Holidays.

The Director of Recreation and Heritage explained that Hampshire did not currently meet the Public Library Standard on opening hours and that user satisfaction with opening hours had declined significantly as evidenced from the Public User Survey 2003. Changes in retail practice over the last few years had meant that shops were open longer and library opening hours, which had previously broadly followed those of local shops, had been left behind.

Members welcomed the report and acknowledged that there would be cost implications. They considered that local libraries should be allowed to ascertain the potential for longer opening hours within their own areas.

Councillor Mrs Peskett attended for this item and requested that as part of an effort to encourage young people to use the library service a pilot scheme extending library evening opening hours be trialled in Winchester. She also suggested the mobile libraries visit supermarkets.

RESOLVED:

That the following proposals be supported and submitted to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage for his consideration:

(a) Libraries be open to the public on Easter Saturday with effect from 2006, at a minimal cost.


(b) A costed plan be developed which would lead to the introduction of library opening hours on Sundays and selected Bank Holidays depending on local need.


(c) The current pattern of closing at Christmas and New Year be maintained.


(d) The Director of Recreation and Heritage investigate a pilot scheme for evening opening in Winchester.

170 RECREATION AND HERITAGE ANNUAL REPORT 2004

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the Recreation and Heritage Annual Report 2003/04, which reviewed the activities and key achievements of the Recreation and Heritage Department during the year 2003/04.

RESOLVED:

That the Recreation and Heritage Annual report be noted and circulated to all Members of the County Council, the Corporate Management Team, partners, all appropriate local authorities and interested parties.

171 BUDGET MONITORING


The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the current financial position of the Recreation and Heritage budget.

The County Treasurer advised that overall there was a potential overspend on the budget of £604,000. Action had already been taken, as outlined in the report, and further action was proposed to address the overspend.

In response to a question about revenue implications in respect of land holdings held by the department, the Director of Recreation and Heritage stated he would write to Members advising them of the current situation.

RESOLVED:

That the proposals set out below be supported and submitted to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage for his consideration:

(a) That the projected financial position be noted.


(b) That the action being undertaken to restrict the overspend as outlined in this report be endorsed.


(c) That a report on the Peoples Network be brought to the next decision day.

172 DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT OF THE RECREATION AND HERITAGE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE - COUNTY COUNCIL 30 SEPTEMBER 2004

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 13 in the Minute book) on the list of main items considered by the committee during the last year and future items.

RESOLVED:

That the report be endorsed for inclusion in the County Council papers for the forthcoming meeting on 30 September 2004.

173 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item.

174 HAVANT LIBRARY - PROPOSED CREATION OF A DISCOVERY CENTRE

The Committee considered a confidential report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on the proposed creation of a Discovery Centre in Havant.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and a further report be brought back to a further meeting of the Policy Review Committee.

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