Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Austen, Littleboy and St. John, Martin Happs, Val Allen, Michelle Mellor (representing Tourism Officer) and Tony Clabby.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as a corret record.

(a)       The Old Three Cranes, High Street

In response to a question raised regarding the present position of ownership of these premises, the meeting was informed that the owner had now sold it on.  Economic and Development Services was currently trying to ascertain the name of the purchaser.

The main issue for the Council was the need to act upon a Notice served requiring the removal of the shop front or action to tone it down.  There was presently no Conservation Officer in post within Economic and Development Services.

Agreed:-  That Councillor Boyes raise this matter with the Executive Director, Economic and Development Services at the next meeting of the Property Board.

(b)              St. Ann’s Swimming Pool

A question was raised regarding the completion date of 2007 for the new central swimming pool and whether this continued to be on target.

It was confirmed that this remained the case.

Quarterly update reports were given on the implementation of individual elements of the Future Perfect Action Plan, as follows:-

Museum & Arts - The official opening of the newly refurbished Museum would take place on Friday, 11^th March 2005 and all members of the Consortium would receive an invitation to attend.

A “soft” opening for members of the public was planned for Saturday, 29^th January 2005 and work was on target to meet this date.

It had been almost seven years since the original bid had been submitted to Heritage Lottery Fund,  which was the usual timescale for projects of this size.

Building work was expected to be completed by Christmas 2004.

Display units were now well under way and graphic panels had arrived.  Staff were moving back and the installation of objects started next week.  A great deal of work was to be done in the next six weeks.

The meeting paid tribute to all staff for their efforts in achieving the completion of a massive project to schedule.

The new museum was a significant improvement and the project had dominated other work.

Members of the Consortium paid compliments to the Friends Groups which it was felt had been crucial to the success of the project and looked forward to the opening of such a prestigious project.

Libraries – Excellent news was that Charter Mark status had recently been awarded for good customer focus within the Library Service. 

In addition, the Authority had recently been awarded overall scores of 3 for their approach to ‘Framework for the Future’ and in relation to Public Library Standards.  This compared to scores of 3 and 1 last year.

This was viewed as a good foundation to build on and was a consequence of the hard work of library staff.

Library Standards remained challenging and new challenges remained to be focused on next year.  Work was ongoing to identify what those challenges were and how it was possible to meet them.

Councillor Boyes made the point that both awards were of great benefit to the Council in terms of the way it was regarded and assessed both locally and nationally.  It was particularly pleasing to have a representative from the IDeA peer assessors make a request to work with Rotherham to improve Library Services in general and to learn from Rotherham’s good work.  Officers from Rotherham had also been invited to Kent County Council to discuss good practice in Rotherham.

It was noted that Assessors had commented on the good relationships with Friends Groups and the whole range of support in order to achieve success in this work.

Particular reference was made to the good work carried out by the Friends of Maltby Library and Junior Cricket Club.

Questions were raised on the following areas of work:-

-                       purchase of books produced locally – funding initiatives

-                       accessing new cataloguing system on line

-                       future work/plans to address the physical condition of libraries and need for new build

-                       local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Green Spaces - Limited progress had been made due to the non-availability of members at the last meeting.

It may be more suitable to merge this Panel with Sport and Leisure in view of some members attending both forums.

The Urban Park Ranger Team had given a presentation at the last meeting of the Panel and discussion had taken place regarding the value of this service and the need to sustain it.

The Panel had also noted all areas of work contained within the Green Space Strategy and other work which included Heritage Park Schemes, and Green Flag Award, and officers were looking forward to raising the profile of green space and awareness of Local Strategic Plans of corporate objectives.

Agreed:-  That a letter be sent to all Panel Members on suggestions for the future makeup and business of these groups.

Sport and Leisure – This was a very worthwhile group who met on a regular basis and throughout the year specific sessions would take place.

The Panel was currently reviewing sport and recreation strategies and members of the group were involved.  A Service Plan was currently being drafted which would be shared with members of the Advisory Group.  As part of this work site visits would be made to staff.

Heritage, Archives & Tourism/Theatre, Libraries, Writing and the Arts – In view of poor attendance at meetings, it was felt appropriate to merge both Panels.

A letter would be sent to members of both Panels inviting expressions of interest in the two merged groups, which will include times and details of the proposed dates for 2004/05.

It will be suggested that in order to ensure consistency of membership, a specific day throughout the twelve month period must be adhered to.

A question was raised regarding the future of Kimberworth Manor House.

The meeting was informed that it was presently intended to move Education staff out of the building as it was not suitable for office use.  A decision on the most suitable way to dispose of the building would then be determined by the Property Board.  The Planning Service would control any planning proposals on its future use in view of its Grade II listed building status.

The meeting considered the contents of a document outlining the way the Council will work in delivering the Borough Vision, the main themes of which were:-

-                      Rotherham Learning

-                      Rotherham Achieving

-                      Rotherham Alive

-                      Rotherham Safe

-                      Rotherham Proud

The topics had been agreed in partnership with Rotherham Partnership and the Council in ensuring the aims of both were integrated, both parties having signed up to the same priorities.

These priorities will be reflected in the Community Strategy next year and work was presently being developed within those priorities.  Officers would ensure that the cultural centre is well represented and support all schemes.  Members of the Cultural Consortium will be given an opportunity to discuss their views.

Agreed:  That a further update report be submitted to the next meeting.

The meeting considered a draft timetable for the next Cultural Conference to be held on 6th May, 2005.

The topic is Built and Landscape Heritage.

Discussion took place on the membership of the Cultural Consortium with a suggestion being made that it should be expanded.

Officers reported that it was intended to focus future meetings on specific issues and invite relevant specialists to attend certain meetings.

Consortium members felt the conference offered an exciting timetable of events and was an appropriate topic to coincide with the newly refurbished museum.

An appropriate publication would be included in the next issue of Rotherham Matters and invitations sent to Heritage Groups within the Borough nearer the time of the Conference.

Consideration was given to a document on South Yorkshire Culture (a spoke of Yorkshire Culture, the Regional Cultural Consortium) and their role in continuing to work to promote the cultural sector as a key element of the regeneration agenda.

The paper set out the following:-

-                       The Vision

-                       The vision expressed in four strategic themes

-                       South Yorkshire Spatial Strategy Group:  Vision for Rotherham

It was pointed out to members of the consortium that both Guy Kilminster and Tony Preston are attending meetings to represent this Consortium.

It was the intention to promote the cultural aspect at the South Yorkshire level and to identify good projects which work sub-regionally.

Further details of this work was made available to members of the Consortium.

A further update would be given on this matter at the next meeting.

The meeting considered a request to nominate up to three co-optees to the Lifelong Learning Opportunities Scrutiny Panel from this forum.

Agreed:-  That Christine Cox, Joyce Williams and Roy Newman be appointed to serve on the Lifelong Learning Opportunities Scrutiny Panel as co-optees for a further year.

The meeting welcomed the recent award of the Turner prize to Jeremy Deller.

Jeremy was known to this Authority through his work and involvement in the reconstruction of the Battle of Orgreave at RotherValley CountryPark and was held in high regard for the work he had carried out.

Agreed:-  That Guy Kilminster send a letter of congratulations to Jeremy on behalf of this Consortium.

Agreed:-  That the next meeting of this Consortium be held on 16^th February, 2005 at 2.00 p.m.