Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Bannister and Councillor Heesom.

To receive Declarations of Interest from Members on items included in the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2012.

RESOLVED:            That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2012 be agreed as a correct record with the addition of Councillor Mrs Cornes’ apologies.

To consider a report informing the Active and Cohesive Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the working group recommendations regarding requests from the community for additional bridle route provision and use of part of the main pool for fishing in Bateswood Local Nature Reserve, and agree the recommendations that will be put forward for Cabinet to consider.

The Committee considered a report advising of the working group recommendations regarding requests from the community for additional bridle route provision and use of part of the main pool for fishing in Bateswood Local Nature Reserve.

Members of the working group considered the recommendations excellent. The work undertaken by the working group had been good, and in particular the site visit to Bateswood had been informative. Members not on the working group also considered that the recommendations in the report were the best outcome that could be achieved from the process. However, it was noted that people who were not local might express an interest in managing fishing on the main pool and the Committee agreed that a local club should manage fishing on the main pool.

RESOLVED:                        (a) That the information be received.

(b) That the working group recommendations be put forward for Cabinet to consider.  

To discuss and update the work plans to reflect current scrutiny topics.

The Committee considered the work plan. Third Sector Commissioning was discussed, as a document had been distributed by the Leader regarding Newcastle Citizens Advice Bureau and there was concern regarding the funding that the CAB had got for Newcastle, in particular funding for the Coalfield Alliance mining wards. It was understood by Members that there was a different pot of money for general work which was what was being commissioned for, and money from coalfield regeneration would not go into that pot; money for mining villages would remain for them. Members noted that the Committee had been positive with regard to commissioning at the previous meeting. This was agreed but it had been emphasised that the needs of Borough residents must be given priority. Members felt that professional advice from Officers was required and an assurance was requested that money for coalfield regeneration would go to mining villages and not into a collective pot at Staffordshire County Council.

The Health and Well Being Strategy remained with the Health Scrutiny Committee. There was a small working group at Staffordshire County Council that the Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee had attended, and the issue would be received at a special meeting of Cabinet. There was a request that the Committee be kept informed of developments.

Officers were investigating a number of models for leisure trust options. Members were advised that officers were investigating the feasibility of a Community Interest Company (C.I.C.) on the basis that it was thought that this would not only provide an appropriate governance structure but also could reduce business rate obligations.

Members noted it was almost twelve months since Cabinet had resolved that a review of the allotments service should be conducted, and requested a progress report. This would be distributed to Members before the next meeting, and the review would be considered at the December meeting.

The Committee received an update regarding Kidsgrove Sports Centre. The building was expected to be handed back from Staffordshire County Council imminently and was expected to be open to the public towards the end of September or early October. The majority of works were complete, but other problems had been found, and it was estimated that approximately £250,000 had been spent compared to the £100,000 that had been envisaged. The pumps and filters for the swimming pool would need to be serviced as they had not been used for twelve months. Due to the condition of the building, more unexpected closures in the future could not be ruled out. A comprehensive refurbishment would cost around £3-3.5 million, for which there was no funding available. Instead, the refurbishment could be broken down into component parts and funding sought for each part. For example, the windows in the pool hall could be replaced or the changing rooms could be refurbished. Securing funding for refurbishment would be the responsibility of all three parties associated with the sports centre: Clough Hall School, Staffordshire County Council and the Borough Council. The school and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business considered.