Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors L E W Brown, P Nathan, D Thompson and A Turner.

RESOLVED: “That the minutes of the meeting of the People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held 22 October 2008, copies of which had previously been circulated to each Member, be agreed as a correct record.”

There were no declarations of interest from Members.

There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

The content of the Executive Forward Plan and Work Programme was considered by the Committee, enabling Members to identify any issues that may require to be reviewed prior to a decision being made.

No Comments were made by the Committee.

RESOLVED: “That the contents of the Executive Forward Plan and Work Programme were considered by the Committee.”

Verbal Update

The Chairman advised that he had requested an update on this year’s bonfire night activity within the district but that officers had not yet come forward with any information.

The Director of Corporate Services advised that he would take this matter up with the Director of Development Services and ensure a report be submitted to the January meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED: “That a report on the Bonfire Policy be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.”

Councillors J Shiell and M May entered the meeting at 6.10pm.

Verbal Update

The Director of Corporate Services provided Members with an update of the Extended Focus Group meeting, which had been held the previous week. He also provided Members with a draft report of the analysis of the Community Questionnaire.

He advised that the questionnaire was sent to a 10% sample of residents in the un-parished area of Chester-le-Street and that there had been a 10% response rate. He stated that the results had not been as clear-cut as those views received at the focus group meeting and did not give a strong indication of views other than that they were reasonably balanced.

Discussion ensued in relation to the responses received.

The Director of Corporate Services advised that he would draft a report and discuss it with both the Chairman and Councillor Holding in order for the report to be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED: “That the comments made be noted and a Draft Final Report be prepared for the next meeting of the Committee.”

The Chairman advised that Item No.11 on the agenda would be considered before Item No.10.

Verbal Update

Councillor Smith advised the Committee that she, along with the Acting Leisure Services Manager and other councillors, had visited leisure facilities provided by Wear Valley District Council and Sunderland City Council. She commented on how well run these facilities were and the level of training given to staff.

She advised that the findings of the visits had been very beneficial and a draft report was to be compiled in relation to the findings of these visits.

The Director of Corporate Services advised that the bare bones of the report had been prepared and that the Acting Leisure Services Manager was to work on the report in order for a draft version to be circulated to Members prior to the next meeting of the Committee.

The Acting Leisure Services Manager advised that one of the key factors was looking at why young people were not engaging in sport and how to change that. He advised of the need for the report to reflect the differing needs of urban and rural communities and how the service could be re-packaged to encourage the use of the facilities.

Councillor J M Proud left the meeting at 7.25pm.

The Director of Corporate Services thanked the Acting Leisure Services Manager and Councillor Smith for their effort and leadership in carrying out the review especially considering the lack of scrutiny resources.

RESOLVED: “That the comments made be noted.”

The Acting Leisure Services Manager left the meeting at 7.30pm.

Verbal Update

The Director of Corporate Services issued Members with a draft report for the Review and advised that the consultants used for the review had prepared the report, attached as the appendix, and that they were firmly of the view that there was a case to run a market in the town and recommended implementation of phased improvements. They also recommended that if there was no significant improvement then there would be a case for outsourcing.

The Chairman requested that Members consider the report and forward any comments to the Director of Corporate Services.

RESOLVED: “That the draft report be considered by the Committee and comments be forwarded to the Director of Corporate Services.”

The Director of Corporate Services expressed his thanks to the Town Centre Manager, Democratic Services Officer and Democratic Services Assistant for their involvement in the reviews especially in the absence of a Scrutiny Officer.

The Chairman requested that any items for the next meeting be forwarded to the Democratic Services Assistant.

RESOLVED: “That any items for the next meeting of the Committee be forwarded to the Democratic Services Assistant.”

RESOLVED: “That the next meeting of the Committee be held on Wednesday 14 January 2009 at 6.00pm.”