Agenda and minutes

The minutes of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Education, Culture and Leisure Services held on 12^th October, 2004 were agreed as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Leader, Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning, together with a Service Improvement Plan for Cultural Services, which gave an update on the progress made by Cultural Services following the Regular Performance Assessment (RPA) carried out by the Audit Commission in January, 2004.

The RPA inspection of Cultural Services identified a broad range of achievements and successes.  It also highlighted a number of areas the service should focus on in order to sustain the goal of continuous improvement.   The report identifies the areas for improvement and the progress made to date.

An improvement plan was established in January 2004 and is currently in its ninth month of implementation.  Progress is being made on all of the areas identified by the inspection.

The report highlighted a need to develop Culture and Leisure Services, particularly in terms of front-line delivery.

The officer in attendance summarised the present position on each of the recommendations identified by the inspection.

Discussion took place regarding the need for the work to complement other internal and external strategies and priorities, an element of the Action Plan being to develop a programme of consultation.

At some point in the future an Annual Consultation Plan containing work being undertaken corporately would be produced.

Resolved:-  (1)  That a further update report be submitted within four months, at which point member agreement be sought on Cultural Service’s priorities, and key performance indicators agreed for regular reporting, in line with national, regional and local priorities.

(2)  That the Business Development Manager, Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning submit a report to a future meeting on the current position with regard  to the Rothercard service and its link with the work overall.

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Leader, Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning which gave details of ‘The Works’, a unique project to be undertaken by the South Yorkshire Sports Partnership of which RMBC is the host organisation.  No other organisation would be able to deliver the service.

The nature of the funding arrangements with Sport England (the funding body) are such that application for the suspension of Standing Order 44 is necessary.

‘The Works’ is a dynamic multi-activity programme, which will provide an innovative approach to health, physical activity, sport and education in a way that will engage young people in a healthy and active lifestyle.

It will be designed, administered and managed via The Works training organisation that will provide fully qualified fitness instructors and the equipment required to deliver the project within schools and the wider community.  The instructors will also be responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the programme, as every participation of a Works session will be logged on a powerful online resource called the Workstation.

The report set out several ways by which the project will be delivered.

The funding for the project is made up of contributions from Sport England and from The Music Factory Entertainment Group.  RMBC is not required to make any financial contribution.

If the project is successful, the work will be piloted in Rotherham schools.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the work to be undertaken in this project be noted.

(2)  That the invoking of Standing Order No. 35 be approved in order to allow the project to be undertaken.  This is due to the unique nature and contractual requirements of this project.

The meeting considered a verbal request from the College for a nomination on the Dearne Valley College Board to represent Rotherham MBC.

Resolved:-  That this matter be deferred to the next meeting for further consideration.