Agenda and minutes

- to receive the minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12^th December, 2006 were agreed as a correct record.

- to receive the minutes

The minutes of a meeting of the Rotherham Cultural Consortium held on 6^th December, 2006 were agreed as a correct record.

- to receive the minutes

The minutes of the Christmas Carnival Co-ordinating Group held on 14^th December, 2006 were received.

- that Members receive the individual reports

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Culture and Leisure which gave an update on progress and plans for the heritage sites owned and/or cared for by the Council which are also the responsibility of the Museums, Galleries and Heritage Service.

The sites for which the Service is responsible are:-

• Clifton House (now CliftonPark Museum), including interpretation of the Roman Granary in Clifton Park and the Park’s origins as the Clifton Estate
• Boston Castle, including interpretation of architectural salvage designed for open display in Boston Park (e.g. Doorway from College of Jesus)
• Waterloo Pottery Kiln, including interpretation of Pottery Ponds as the location of the Swinton (Rockingham) Pottery Works
• The Walker Mausoleum, including interpretation of Masbrough Chapel and Burial Ground
• Keppel’s Column
• Catcliffe Glass Cone

The report provided an introductory statement which explained what this responsibility comprised of, partners whom the Service worked with, and examples of projects which had been completed to date.  The report subsequently gave details of both current and future issues relating to each individual site.

The external organisations which had been closely associated with the sites are:

• English Heritage
• Heritage Lottery Fund

Resolved:-  That the individual reports about the Service be received, and the following recommendations be approved:

• To develop a new gallery at Clifton ParkMuseum about the South Yorkshire Glass Industry
• To re-investigate the option of restoring Boston Castle separately from the redevelopment of Boston Park
• To commission a Condition Survey of the Waterloo Kiln in 2007-08
• To investigate funding opportunities for the Walker Mausoleum and the adjacent burial ground of Masbrough Chapel, with a view to preparing funding applications in 2007-08
• To identify problems with the proposals to restore and reopen Keppel’s Column, and to arrange remedial works for early 2007
• To develop a project for Catcliffe Glass Cone, with a view to submitting funding applications in mid 2007.

- that the implementation of the Library space within the building is supported

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Culture and Leisure which informed that the Holy TrinityChurch in Thorpe Hesley has been successful in raising funds for a new Community Centre in the village.

As part of the fund-raising the Church had won a competition which provided sufficient additional funds to adapt the current planned building to include a library space.

The creation of a library at Thorpe Hesley will contribute to the library service meeting public library service standards and, in turn, would impact on the Council’s performance indicators and CPA achievements.

Work on the Church owned building is due to begin in the near future, with completion in 2007-08.

The need for a library at Thorpe Hesley was identified through a Strategic review of Community libraries and bids for revenue and capital funding have been submitted.

The cost of the capital work required is £50,000. 

This reduces the RMBC contribution to establish a new library at Thorpe Hesley by £229,000 and, subject to appropriate authorisations, will allow other recommendations of the review to be implemented.   Clearly this is excellent value for money for the Council.

A BIP for annual revenue costs of £50,000 has been submitted and is being considered as part of the budget setting process for 2007-2008.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the implementation of a library space within the building is supported.

(2)  That it be noted that a report containing details of a single site bid to the Big Lottery Fund, together with options for suitable sites to build a further library in Rotherham, is to be submitted to a future meeting.

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Director of Finance which provided details of expenditure, income and the net budget position for Culture and Leisure Services compared to the phased budgets for the period ending on 30^th November, 2006 and the projected year end outturn position.

It is anticipated at this point that projected expenditure will be within the approved budget by the end of the financial year, although there remains a number of pressures which are being monitored closely.

These pressures are in respect of increased energy charges from suppliers.  The service is estimating an additional cost of £215,000 for the year within Leisure facilities and Libraries due to increased charges.  Further work is being undertaken with EDS to verify this projection.

Resolved:-  That the current forecast outturn position based on actual costs and income to 30^th November, 2006 and forecast costs and income to 31^st March, 2007 be noted.