Agenda and minutes

- to receive minutes

The minutes of a previous meeting held on 26^th September, 2006 were agreed as a correct record.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3^rd October, 2006 with regard to Leewood Close play Area, Brampton be received and the action of the Cabinet Member and Advisors noted.

- to receive minutes

The minutes of a meeting of the LEA Governor Appointment Panel held on 26^th September, 2006 were received.

- to receive minutes

The minutes of a meeting of the Rotherham Cultural Consortium held on 13^th September, 2006 were agreed as a correct record.

- to receive minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the Leisure/Joint Service Centre Project Board held on 20^th September, 2006 be received.

- to receive minutes

The minutes of the Christmas Carnival Co-ordinating Group held on 21^st September, 2006 were received.

Christmas Carols

The meeting was informed that negotiations are currently underway with the BBC to achieve a mixed balance of Big Screen programmes and Christmas Carols.

- to consider a suggested name for the new children’s play area

The meeting considered a report of the Head of Service Culture & Leisure on a request to name the forthcoming new play area adjacent to ThryberghComprehensive School after the late ward councillor Bill Winder.

Resolved:-  That the new children’s play area adjacent to ThryberghComprehensive School be known as ‘The Bill Winder Play Area, Thrybergh’.

- to consider a proposal for the long-term use of the Games Pavilion

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Service Culture & Leisure which contained a number of options for the long-term use of the Games Pavilion within RosehillPark by the Rawmarsh & Parkgate Partnership.

In 2005 architects’ plans were produced to illustrate the redevelopment options for a small ‘Games Pavilion’ in Rosehill/Victoria Park, Rawmarsh. 

A ‘Games Pavilion’ located in Rosehill/Victoria Park, Rawmarsh has been highlighted by the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and the Rawmarsh & Parkgate Partnership (RAPP) as an ideal base for a variety of complementary projects.  The building is in relatively poor condition although it has recently been internally redecorated by the Probation Service.  In June 2005 Burnell-Briercliffe architects produced a redevelopment plan for the building incorporating all the elements from a design brief produced by the IDP team.  RAPP now intend to commission a Feasibility Study to allow a more detailed consideration of the proposal.

Terms of the lease would allow consideration of the following 3 redevelopment options, depending on the recommendations of the feasibility study:-

-                 Redevelopment of the building as it currently stands

-                 Extension of the building to accommodate new/larger features

-                 Demolish and build a replacement building to accommodate new/larger features

The Games Pavilion would ideally accommodate:

·              A base for RAPP’s outreach workers

·              A multi-use room available for a variety of functions to support the community – this to include a meeting space, training venue and classroom in the park

·              Kitchen facilities for the provision of refreshments complemented by vending machines for out of hours access to drinks/snacks.  This could be operated along similar lines as the café in CliftonPark museum.

·              Outside seating area for café users

·              Male/Female and disabled accessible toilet and changing facilities.  (Current building does not meet DDA)

·              Information access point

·              Storage space for games/recreational equipment

·              Training facilities for the whole community

It is believed the investment provided by this project will help to secure green flag standard for RosehillPark and build on the park’s growing reputation.

To this end the Rawmarsh & Parkgate Partnership has expressed a wish to progress the initial stages of this project.

Resolved:-  That a lease be negotiated, following an initial feasibility study, for the long-term use of the Games Pavilion within RosehillPark by Rawmarsh & Parkgate Partnership in order to satisfy the requirements of external funders.

- to comment on the Policy Document and refer to e-Gov Board for approval

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Culture and Leisure which set out a policy relating to the provision and use of ICT in the Library & Information Service which has been drawn up to serve as a position statement both for staff and the public.

The purpose of the policy is to provide direction within LIS to how ICT will be used in enabling and enhancing delivery of services, and to provide guidance for the public in terms of what they may reasonably expect from the Service.

In addition, the Policy is intended to provide terms of reference in a quickly changing environment, to inform staff and customers and to attempt to clarify decision-making where funding is limited.

The Policy is not new in terms of proposing a new course of action.  It does, however, outline the use of ICT in the Library & Information Service with regard to the People’s Network, work with particular communities, the Library Management System, digital content and electronic forms of information and communication.

The Manager, Libraries, Museums and Arts highlighted a number of key aspects of the Policy Document.

Resolved:-  That the Policy Document be received and referred to the e-Gov Board for approval.

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 those paragraphs indicated below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

-    to receive the report on progress to date and agree to a follow-up report re. selection of Producer in January, 2007

(report contains information relating to the financial affairs of the Council)

Pursuant to Minute No. 45 of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure held on 5^th September, 2006, consideration was given to a progress report on the tendering process for the Civic Theatre Pantomime 2007-2009.

The report gave details of the membership of the Assessment Panel and the criteria for assessment, as set out in the tender documentation.

The meeting noted that three Companies had been shortlisted for interview in November and a viewing of each of their performances over the Christmas period.

A decision on the preferred Company would be made in January, 2007.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report on progress to date be received.

(2)         That a follow-up report recommending a Producer be submitted in January, 2007.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – the report contains information relating to the financial and business affairs of the Council).

-          to approve the Fees and Charges as submitted

(report contains information relating to the financial affairs of the Council)

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Culture and Leisure which outlined a proposed mid-year increase of fees and charges for 2006/07.

Despite the proposed increases, it was noted that several core services still remained free of charge, for example public library service, museum service, archives and local studies service, casual access to green spaces and children’s play areas.  Where there is a charge, there is often a concessionary rate and, particularly related to leisure activities, a Junior Rothercard rate.  In addition, concessionary customers are not restricted to access at off-peak times as is the case in many other local authorities.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the fees and charges as set out in the report, now submitted, be approved.

(2)    That the charges be made with effect from Monday, 30^th October, 2006.

(3)  That the impact of the increases be closely monitored.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial affairs of the Council).