The Cabinet representative, Councillor Stuart Wheeler, will talk about his responsibilities for Leisure, Sport and Culture and will invite questions.
Minutes:
Cllr Stuart Wheeler provided an update to the Board on his responsibilities as Portfolio holder for leisure, sports and culture which included the following:
· Leisure –23 leisure centres across the county were in varying states of repair. Some were managed in-house, 12 were managed by DC Leisure and 3 by independent Trusts. In November 2009 Cabinet agreed to a review of all facilities to ascertain whether they were fit for purpose. The policy, assets and employment options would be considered and a paper submitted to Cabinet in Autumn 2010 on how facilities should be provided across the Council for the next 15 years. A consultation would take place as part of the review.
· Sport – Added to the portfolio to encourage children and young people to take up and continue with sport. It was hoped that children could be identified and directed to a good network of clubs who had accredited status to achieve the best potential.
Statistics showed that children were shown to drop out of sport at 16 years of age although tended to pick up sport again around 28 years of age. A drive was taking place to encourage those within the county to exercise for half an hour six times per week.
· Culture &Arts – Tom Craig was responsible for Culture and Arts, which included the Chippenham History Centre jointly funded with Swindon Borough Council. The History Centre held all deeds and records, including primary school log books across Wiltshire. County archaeologists and restoration team were also based there.
Other venues included the Pounds Arts Trust, Salisbury Playhouse, Arts Centre and Arts Festival.
Questions arising included:
Q1: Was Tourism a priority for Wiltshire Council?
A: Tourism was not part of Cllr Wheeler’s portfolio although it was understood that Tourism would be a priority for the Council. A written answer would be provided by the next meeting.
Q2: Is WC commitment to Tourist Information Centres likely to increase, decrease or stay the same in the next few years? In particular what is the commitment, financial or otherwise, to the Corsham Tourist and Information and Heritage Centre which is leased by Wiltshire Council from Corsham Town Council?
A: A written response would be provided by the next meeting.
Q3: What are Wiltshire Council’s future plans for Leisure Centres in Wiltshire? Springfield Leisure Centre was paid for, and still is being paid for, by Corsham residents. Loan repayments for the sports hall and pool are a long-term commitment of the Town Council lasting up to 2028.
A: The information requested would be covered within the Leisure Review which would be available in the Autumn.
Q4 – When will people be consulted on Wiltshire Council’s review of Leisure Facilities and when will the outcome be known?
A: The consultation would take place in the Autumn and the outcome provided in Spring 2010.
Q5 – What does Wiltshire Council anticipate the future of the library service will look like? Is the service secure?
A: A written response would be provided by the next meeting.
Q6 – What long term commitment does Wiltshire Council have to the Pounds Art Centre?
A: Wiltshire Council was committed to the Centre and invested significant sums of money. There were two long term development projects currently in place (arts studio and cinema).
Q7 – Could you clarify Wiltshire Council’s approach to the delegation of services and transfer of assets from Wiltshire Council to Town and Parish Councils? Will targets be set on the percentage of value of services and assets to be taken over by Town and Parish Councils?
A: A paper had been submitted to Cabinet which provided details on progress made on delegation. Some asset transfers were being discussed but work continued. A more detailed response would be provided at a later date.
Q8 – Does Wiltshire Council have a policy on supporting community centres? Wiltshire Council owns three community centres in Corsham. Will these be dealt with on an equitable basis?
A: Relevant officers would be invited to attend the next meeting to answer questions on community centres.
Q9 – When will the Squash courts be painted?
A: Responsibility for maintenance rested within the maintenance programme with DCL. Assurance was provided that this would be added to the programme for property services this year.
Q10 – Schools facilities
A: Leisure Centres attached or close to schools had an agreement with the schools to utilise facilities within set hours. As part of a pre-existing agreement made by North Wiltshire District Council Corsham school had use of the Leisure Centre between 9am to 5pm. Wiltshire Council would look to change this as part of the leisure review.
Further information was provided as follows:
· A small budget was available which was used to increase funding acquired elsewhere. This included the Community Grant Scheme and Area Board Grants.
· Public Parks fell within the Highways and Transport portfolio. The Cabinet member was Cllr Dick Tonge.
· The Service Director for Libraries was due to attend the next Area Board on 17 August regarding the review and consultation process being undertaken on libraries within the county.