Issue - meetings

a)    That the Cabinet endorse the preferred option set out in the report to request the Council’s Grant Assessment Panel to be responsible for disbursing the Council’s sports grants

b)    That the Cabinet requests the Constitutional Review Group to consider the proposal to add co-opted non-voting members drawn from community representatives who have an expertise in matters of sport and sport development to the Grants Assessment Panel for the purpose of considering sports grants (Option D).

c)    That the existing support arrangements for the Sports Council – including provision of a honorary secretary and treasurer; administrative/democratic support and the provision of advice by Borough Council officers is discontinued. Cabinet is asked to note, however, the work currently being undertaken by the Sports Council itself in reviewing its work and governance (as outlined in this report).

d)    That the Cabinet approves these recommendations with a view to implementing the new arrangements from 1 November 2014 onwards.

e)    That the above recommendations be subject to agreement from the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture and Localism following consideration of the recommendations from the on-going review currently being undertaken by the Sports Council.

A report was submitted setting out proposals to change the governance arrangements for the Newcastle under Lyme Sports Council, and to seek Cabinet’s approval for these changes. The Cabinet first identified the need to review the governance arrangements of the Sports Council at its meeting in 22 May 2013. At its meeting on 2 April 2014, it affirmed this position and made specific recommendations as follows:

·        The Cabinet requests that the Sports Council undertake a review of its governance arrangements and makes recommendations on alternative approaches which could reduce the cost of administering the allocation of grants.

·        The Cabinet requests that this review also considers the mechanism by which those elected Members nominated to serve on the Sports Council provide stewardship of monies allocated by the Borough Council in accordance with the Council’s Constitutional provisions.

·        The Cabinet requests that the Sports Council come forward with proposals within the next three months.

Although it is understood that the Sports Council has started work to consider these matters it is noted that the timescale set by Cabinet has not been achieved. To this end and to expedite this review, officers of the Council have considered the matter and developed some options which the Cabinet is asked to consider.

Resolved:

a)    That the Cabinet endorse the preferred option set out in the report to request the Council’s Grant Assessment Panel to be responsible for disbursing the Council’s sports grants

b)    That the Cabinet requests the Constitutional Review Group to consider the proposal to add co-opted non-voting members drawn from community representatives who have an expertise in matters of sport and sport development to the Grants Assessment Panel for the purpose of considering sports grants (Option D).

c)    That the existing support arrangements for the Sports Council – including provision of a honorary secretary and treasurer; administrative/democratic support and the provision of advice by Borough Council officers is discontinued. Cabinet is asked to note, however, the work currently being undertaken by the Sports Council itself in reviewing its work and governance (as outlined in this report).

d)    That the Cabinet approves these recommendations with a view to implementing the new arrangements from 1 November 2014 onwards.

e)    That the above recommendations be subject to agreement from the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture and Localism following consideration of the recommendations from the on-going review currently being undertaken by the Sports Council.