Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Littleboy, R. Russell and Swift, Joanne Edley (Tourism Manager), Roy Newman, Noreen Brown, Joyce Williams and Guy Kilminster (Manager, Libraries, Museums and Arts).

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 15^th September, 2005 were approved as a correct record.

Phil Rogers, Head of Culture and Leisure, gave a verbal report on Cultural Service Development over the last three months.

There had been a huge increase in participants following work done by the Commercial and Promotional and Sports Development Teams who had put together a package of activities over the Summer, a series of which had been from both private and non-private sector community groups.

Sports Development

Mega Active Summer Programme

Atrracted 2941 young people aged 16 and under.  181 Black and Ethnic participants (majority of delivery in Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy areas).

Community Sports Coach Scheme

RMBC Community Coaches – Football Development worker is already making a huge impact

Delivery since July 2005  (majority in NRS Areas)

Over 1600 young people aged 5-19 involved in the scheme so far

107 disabled participants

50 BEM participants

United Multicultural Centre Community Coach

Delivery since April 2004 (Eastwood and Springwell Gardens area)

Over 1600 young people engaged

208 BEM participants

KimberworthPark Community Coach

Delivery since July 2005 (KimberworthPark area only)

Over 200 young people engaged in the programme

Space for Sports and Arts Project (Ferham, St. Ann’s, High Greave, Rawmarsh, Thurcroft)

Delivery of programmes at above sites to engage young people in sport/physical activity.  Over 500 young people have participated in sports activities to date

Football Development

Several Football programmes have been delivered since April 2005.

Over 1200 young people have been engaged to date

Skills academy for Young People with disabilities

Partnership between RawmarshSports College and Community Coach Scheme, Multi-sport sessions

Current attendance over 25 young people on a weekly basis

Positive Parks Project Maltby (Multi-sports)

Whole project has attracted over 200 young people

Community Arts

Space for Sports and Arts (Arts) Half-term activities

Street dance – 25 participants over the 2 sessions

Halloween Fun – 81 participants over the 4 sessions (33 at Thurcroft)

Circus Skills – 19 over the 3 sessions

School Arts Network

The Schools Arts Network exists to promote art in schools and work with art teachers and activity co-ordinators.  Open Minds Theatre Company developed a festival with 8 schools.  One of the arts development officers has also developed a performance project with Swinton cluster.  This now includes the management of the Helen Billington Fund which provides small grants to Rotherham schools for arts activities.

Libraries

15,000 children actively use Libraries in Rotherham and borrowed 208,508 children’s books in 2004/05. 

The Library’s People’s Network provides free internet and e-mail to all residents of Rotherham.  Sessions held develop skills and confidence in ICT.  “Safe Surfing for Children and their Carers” won a national award in 2004.

The 2005 Children’s Book Festival presented a total of 98 sessions across Rotherham, 39 of which were events that were open to the general public.  28 authors, storytellers and poets and other artistes engaged with invited schools and public audiences in libraries across the borough.  15 sites received an author, storyteller or performer this year.  These reached an audience  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

Peter Thornborrow, Conservation and Urban Design Officer, gave a presentation on the current position regarding work being carried out in Rotherham on proposals for future projects and the role of Conservation Officers in particular.

The presentation covered the following issues:-

Townscape Heritage Initiative

-                       £1.145m awarded to be spent on 25 projects

-                       Historic High Street and All Saints’ Church

-                       Aims – to improve public realm and create an attractive environment

-                       Reinstatement of traditional details

-                       LOTS scheme (living over the shop)

-                       Project buildings and areas identified as having the greatest impact on the area

-                       Design features of recent work carried out on a listed building on High Street – Phoenix Building

      Wath Conservation Area Extension

-           Medieval Moat – still visible

-           18^th century tunnel/canal aqueduct

-           Arts and Crafts Vicarage built in 1910

-           Currently being considered by English Heritage for listing and scheduling of moated area

Firbeck Hall

-           Grade II Listed Building – currently empty

-           History regarding building’s uses

-           Action taken by RMBC since the building was considered to be “at risk” at the beginning of 2005

-           Current scheme of renovation by new owner – role of architects, planners and Conservation Officer

-           Georgian and Art Deco features – rarity – in particular, fireplaces

Kimberworth Manor House

-                       Grade II Listed Manor House on an ancient monument moated site

-                       Council owned but recently sold at auction to private buyer

-                       In a poor condition with some structural problems

-                       Details of Full Inspection and Inventory of fittings

-                       Current Situation – intention to restore the building to its original use as house

-                       Owner fully aware of the condition and issues

-                       Consultation with South Yorkshire Archaeologist

A number of interesting and historical facts were reported. with regard to town centre buildings, Kimberworth Manor House, Wath Conservation Area and Firbeck Hall.  Photographs were shown of the buildings/sites, and interior fixtures and fittings were reported on.

The Conservation and Urban Design Officer responded to the following questions raised by Consortium members:-

-                       was there a comprehensive reference list of listed buildings – (a copy of this document would be sent to consortium members with agenda items in February, 2006)

-                       security of town centre buildings after improvement work complete

-                       information about the use of buildings – A1-A3 class uses

-                       need for “quality” shops

Agreed:-  That Peter Thornborrow be thanked for an interesting and informative presentation.

Agreed:-  That this item be deferred to a future meeting.

Tony Preston, Project Development Manager, Culture and Leisure, highlighted the key points in the Future Perfect:  Draft Cultural Strategy Action Plan (Volume 3).

Members of the Consortium were thanked for their valuable input towards the compilation of this important document which contained a great deal of information relating to work carried out within the Programme Area and the various partnerships and community groups to improve Culture and Leisure Services for the people of Rotherham.

The background to the compilation of the document was outlined.  The Cultural Charter had been preserved but realigned within this Action Plan to include the priorities of the Council and partnerships through the Cultural Strategy and Leisure Services.

With regard to the cultural contribution to town centre regeneration, consultations were well advanced for the provision of a new swimming pool and sports complex in two years’ time, for which two bids had been submitted.

Future work would address the need for a new Theatre and Arts Centre.

Other themes/projects would be added to the document, which would be updated next year.

Members of the Consortium were asked to feed back any comments on the document as soon as possible to tony.preston@rotherham.gov.uk or by telephone to him on Rotherham 823665.

Steve Hallsworth, Business Manager, Leisure and Green Spaces, submitted a draft programme for the Cultural Conference 2006.

It is proposed to hold a half day Conference consisting of short presentations, the theme for which was “Rotherham Active”.

The programme was split into the topics of Youth Engagement, Older People and Diversity.

Members of the Consortium discussed the contents of the Draft Programme and the following comments were noted:-

-                       to include walking groups

-                       to include morris dancers and garland dancers

Members of the Consortium were asked to feed back any further comments, specifically on potential invitees, to steve.hallsworth@rotherham.gov.uk. or by telephone to Rotherham 822483.

Consortium members were invited to nominate a member of the Consortium to represent the Cultural Consortium on the Rotherham Alive Partnership.

Phil Rogers, Head of Culture and Leisure, explained that this was a new spoke of the five themes, the main aim of which was to represent Cultural Organisations.

The meetings were held on a quarterly basis, with the next one scheduled for January.

Agreed:-  That in view of the number of apologies for absence received, all members be invited by post to indicate whether they were interested in being nominated.

Agreed:-  That the next meeting he held on Wednesday, 22^nd February, 2006 at 2.00 p.m.