Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th November, 2006 were agreed as a correct record.

- minutes of meeting held on 14^th November, 2006

The minutes of a meeting of the LEA Governor Appointment Panel held on 14^th November, 2006 were received.

Consideration was given to a report of the Libraries, Museums and Arts Manager which gave details of an invitation from the Director of Infantry, sent to military museums which receive funding from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), to sign a Customer Supplier Agreement (CSA), which will cover the next four financial years – 2007-2008 to 2010-2011.

In addition to the need to achieve and maintain Accredited Status for The York and Lancaster Regimental Museum, the Agreement set out all of the other requirements for continuation of MoD funding.

Currently, the MoD provides an annual grant of £5950 towards the running costs of the Museum.  Signing the Agreement commits the Council to work towards specific MoD requirements in exchange for continuation of this grant.

The requirements dove-tail with the aims and objectives already set for the Museum in the Service Development Plan for the Museums, Galleries and Heritage Service.  As such, the Agreement provides additional clarity and further support for continuing efforts to maintain and develop the Museum.

The report, together with a full copy of the Customer Supplier Agreement (CSA), set out the details of the requirements of the Agreement, the National and Military Objectives for Museums, and the relevant legislation and standards included in the Agreement.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)  That, on behalf of the Council, the Cabinet Member sign the Customer Supplier Agreement (CSA).

Consideration was given to a final draft report following a Scrutiny Review of Christmas Illuminations commissioned by the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel following a ‘call-in’ on Minute No. 33 of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure held on 22^nd August, 2006.

The review set out the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Group who had looked at the current service provision for Christmas Lights and Trees, both in Rotherham Town Centre and in the Districts.

In addition, the review had looked at budget and funding issues, where the responsibilities for this service lie and what can be done to enhance Christmas Illuminations in the Borough of Rotherham.

The Review was endorsed by the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel on 3^rd November, 2006 and the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee on 10^th November, 2006.  PSOC had resolved to add one recommendation to the review as follows:-

-                       That consideration be given to including strategic lighting as part of the tourism/renaissance agenda.

On 14^th November 2006,  the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure considered the review at a delegated powers meeting.  Further clarification of the recommendation reference 6.1.1 (Single Events Budget) was requested.  This report seeks to clarify this recommendation.

(i)  The review identified a number of areas for action including:

v     The spread of responsibilities for the management of Christmas Illuminations in Rotherham where budgets are held to fund Christmas related activities;

v     Creating an equitable approach to Christmas Illuminations;

v     Actively seeking sponsorship to fund Trees and Illuminations;

v     Using the Gateway Improvement Plan to light Rotherham at Christmas time;

v     Ensure that diversity issues are accounted for as part of an annual programme of town centre events

(ii)                 Christmas Trees, Illuminations, Events and Activities should be funded by the Council from a single Special Events budget.

The Commercial and Promotional Services Manager gave a response on behalf of Culture and Leisure to each of the recommendations contained within the Scrutiny Review final draft report.

This meeting felt some aspects had been overlooked by the Scrutiny Review Group, as follows:-

• Lack of clarification on the Special Events Budget for Christmas events programme
• Differences in town centre illuminations and tourism and markets initiatives
• Lack of clarification on the role of Area Assemblies in terms of funding their own district trees
• Original “call-in” overlooked by the Scrutiny Review – i.e. a proposal to withdraw funding for some locations
• Feasibility of gaining sponsorship
• Financial implications of suggestions made in the Scrutiny Review report

The meeting noted that the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel was to consider the comments of both the Cabinet Members of Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure and Economic and Development Services on 5^th January, 2007.

Resolved:-  That, in view of the need to renew the current three year Christmas Illuminations Contract in January, 2007, the Contract for town centre lights be extended for a further year to allow time  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

That, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4.1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Culture and Leisure which set out the background to the sports facilities regeneration programme, together with the scale and scope of the staff transfer exercise that will be necessary to achieve it.

An option appraisal of four possible transfer processes was contained in the report, together with an option recommended which it is suggested best achieves continuity of service operation and fair treatment of members of staff, together with a timetable for implementing the process.

Resolved:-  (1)  That, subject to consultation with relevant trade unions, Option 1 be adopted.

(2)         That unions are consulted in the first instance in relation to the broad principles involved, and in the second instance in relation to addressing specific issues as they emerge.

(3)         That the implementation timetable for Option 1, as submitted, be approved.

(4)  That a report be submitted to a future meeting on the present situation with regard to the Herringthorpe and Orgreave/Waverley Master Plans.

(Exempt under Paragraph 4.1 – item contains information relating to consultations with a labour relations matter).