Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

There were no questions from the public or the press.

Director of Culture and Leisure to report.

-  to report on work taking place to ensure Rotherham takes advantage of opportunities presented by the London 2012 Olympics.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Culture and Leisure Services, detailing work which was on-going to ensure that Rotherham took advantage of opportunities presented by the London 2012 Olympics.

It was reported that the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities had formed a working group to co-ordinate efforts to make the most of the potential opportunities afforded by the London 2012 Olympics.

To date emphasis had focussed on identifying potential training camps and this work had identified the following facilities within Rotherham which could be included in a South Yorkshire portfolio of facilities covering as many of the Olympic sports as possible:-

      Rother Valley Country Park

      New leisure facilities planned at St. Ann’s, Maltby and Aston

It was noted that the Service planned, through its Sports Development Team, to organise a series of events and activities intended to inspire people to take part in sport and physical activity, which could be sustained beyond the games themselves.  Work was continuing on, for example, a Schools Olympics 2011 being promoted from 2008 and involving cross curriculum activities.

It was also pointed out that the Service was running in parallel the international Para-Olympics.

The following issue was raised:-

-           How would the public swimming schedule be affected?  How would swimming clubs be affected

It was acknowledged that there would be an impact on availability at public times.  It was proposed to build in public sessions alongside of the intensive work of the Olympic teams, and to engage “young Olympians”.

Reference was also made to the use of Rother Valley Country Park as a training venue for triathletes.

The Director of Rotherham Investment and Development Office also reported that the YES Project were engaged with the Yorkshire South Partnership (South Yorkshire Destination Management Partnership) and were keen to build two hotels with full disabled access.  The venue also provided facilities for the more extreme sports e.g. canoe slalom.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report on progress and current work be noted.

(2)  That the Director of Culture and Leisure Services continue to provide the Panel with updates at three monthly intervals.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, to report.

-           to report progress made by the Tourism Service on Tourism Packages.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Tourism Manager, updating the Panel on the progress made by the Tourism Section on the development of Tourism Packages.

It was reported that the Service had been unable to secure the support of the hotels and attraction to produce a package for Easter.  However, discussions with the private sector, attractions and accommodation providers were continuing to produce a colour leaflet for the May Day Bank Holiday.

On behalf of Yorkshire South the Service had produce a Yorkshire South Group Travel Guide to increase packages for leisure breaks in South Yorkshire.  Information was being mailed out to Group Travel Operators in the UK and overseas, and was being made available at exhibitions.  There had, to date, been a good response.

Work had continued with Rother Valley Country Park and a local hotel in linking corporate team building sessions at the Park with accommodation.

During 2006 the Service had tried to engage the accommodation providers on two occasions via consultative/liaison meetings but their response had been that they would prefer to communicate by email, fax or telephone.  It was, however, proposed to try to organise another marketing meeting.

It was also reported that the Service was about to publish a new Attractions leaflet, and reference was made to the July Walking Festival.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the work undertaken and progress, as now reported, be noted.

(2)  That the Tourism Officer submit a further report to the September meeting of the Panel.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (including the Council)):-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (AS AMENDED March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

Phil Rogers, Director of Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning to report.

-           to update the Panel on the provision of four new leisure facilities each comprising of two pools and fitness suites and associated sports halls along with an integrated Service Centre for the Authority and Rotherham PCT at Maltby.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Culture and Leisure Services, detailing the progress of work on the provision of four new leisure facilities, each comprising of two pools and fitness suites and associated sports halls, along with an integrated Service Centre for the Council and Rotherham PCT at Maltby.

Six main elements associated with the project were identified and detailed in the report.  Particular reference was made to the TUPE staff transfer arrangements and it was reported that the development Company’s track record was particularly good in this respect.

It was also reported that value had been added to all four elements of the project through New Opportunities Fund PE and Sports Programme for a dry sports hall at Aston, and through additional PFI credits to include a dry sports hall at Maltby.  In addition a separate community dry leisure centre was being provided on the school site at Wath through the Council’s existing PFI contract.

The total capital value of the overall project was reported.

It was pointed out that the major current risk was managing the legal work to completion in mid April and obtaining final Treasury approval for the financial structure and the actual Interest Swap Rate on the date of Financial Close. 

Members were reminded that an all Members’ seminar had been scheduled for 24^th April, 2007.

Resolved:-  That the continuing progress being made towards financial close be noted.

Tom Knight, Director of Rotherham Streetpride to report.

-           to inform the Scrutiny Panel of the Rotherham Waterways Strategy which will cover all main rivers and canals in Rotherham and include issues such as access, habitats, conservation and future maintenance.

Further to Minute No. 223 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 19^th February, 2007, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Planning and Transportation Services, relating to the commissioning of consultants to compile a Waterways Strategy for Rotherham.

The strategy would be developed through consultation with member organisations of Rotherham Waterways Partnership, Rotherham MBC, British Waterways, Environment Agency, and Groundwork Dearne Valley.  It was noted that the Waterway’s Partnership was a sub-group of Rotherham’s Sustainable Development Partnership (LSP).  Consultation would also seek to engage other interested parties, riparian owners, community groups and ultimately the strategy could have interest from other council directorates. 

It was noted that the delivery of the projects identified by the strategy would be instigated by the Rotherham Waterway’s Partnership, but would be developed and implemented through partnership.  It was pointed out that there would also be possibilities and opportunities to work on mutually beneficial access and amenity projects on the boundaries between Rotherham and Sheffield.

It was noted that the cost would be borne equally by the Environment Agency and the Council through its SRIP allocation.

Resolved:-  That the minute of the meeting of the Cabinet Member, detailed above, relating to the development of a Waterways Strategy be noted.

Consideration was given to the minute of the previous meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 2^nd March, 2007.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the above meeting be approved as a correct record.

-           16^th February, 2007 (copy attached)

-           9^th March, 2007 (copy attached)

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held as follows:-

-           16^th February, 2007

-           9^th March, 2007

Reference was made to Minute No.174 (2)  Corporate Complaints and it was noted that Scrutiny Panels had been asked to look rigorously at the figures from the respective Directorate.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes of the above meetings be noted.

-           19^th February, 2007  (copy attached)

-           5^th March, 2007 (copy attached)

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held as follows:-

-           19^th February, 2007

-           5^th March, 2007

Resolved:-  That the content of the minutes be noted.

-           20^th February, 2007 (copy attached)

-           13^th March, 2007 (copy attached)

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure Services held as follows:-

-           20^th February, 2007

-           13^th March, 2007

Resolved:-  That the content of the minutes be noted.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Joint Leisure Service Centre Project Board held on 12^th January 2007.

Resolved:-  That the content of the minutes be noted.