Agenda and minutes

Pursuant to Minute No. C50 of January 2000, consideration was given to nominations received to fill LEA vacancies on school governing bodies.

Resolved:-  That, with the effective date of appointment, the following appointments be made to school governing bodies:-

RawmarshRosehill Juniors               Mrs. S. Michalski                    23/1/07

Todwick Infant & Junior                      Mrs. L. Robins                        23/1/07

Brampton the Ellis CE                         Mrs. A. McNeice                    23/1/07

CliftonCommunityArtsSchool          Mr. R. Cook                             23/1/07                  

Re-appointments

Aston Hall J & I                                   Mrs. B. Bartholomew             04/05/07

Laughton J & I                                    Mrs. J. Hall                             28/1/07

RawmarshMonkwood Junior            Councillor S. Wright               13/5/07

St Bede’s Catholic Primary                Councillor S. Walker               04/05/07

The above appointments are subject to satisfactory checks being undertaken.

- to receive minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9^th January, 2007 were agreed as a correct record.

(a)        Revenue Budget Monitoring Report as at November, 2006

The Cabinet Member drew attention to the increasing energy costs in Culture and Leisure Services and hoped this aspect of the budgetary situation would shortly be be resolved.

(b)                Temporary Closures of Leisure Facilities due to High Winds

The meeting discussed recent temporary closures at some leisure facilities due to high winds.

With the exception of Swinton Swimming Baths, other affected facilities at Swinton and Kiveton Libraries had re-opened.

(c)                      Herringthorpe Leisure Centre

A verbal update was given on recent incidences of arson attacks at Herringthorpe Leisure Centre and the surrounding area.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Service Resources & Access as a consequence of both the Local Authority and the Diocese of Sheffield expressing concern about the viability of St. Mary’s C of E School.

The report highlighted the background on the matter which has led to recent discussions, and a need to seek confirmation from the Cabinet Member to enter the pre-statutory consultation stage on a proposal to close the school with effect from 31^st August, 2007.

Members were informed that it is becoming unviable due to falling pupil numbers and the school’s inability to sustain an appropriate quality of education for its pupils.  In order to support the school thus far, it has meant an unprecedented amount of support from the Authority, and the School Improvement Service in particular.

The Authority and the Diocese are committed to working with all parties, especially the parents in ensuring their children will enjoy the best possible education in the future.

The information contained in the report gave details of:-

-                       the general viability of schools

-                       details of the pupil numbers at the school

-                       educational standards

-                       the availability of places elsewhere in other local schools

Resolved:-  (1)  That the appropriate consultation, as outlined in the report now submitted, be agreed.

(2)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting containing information on the feedback from the consultation meetings, and in order to make a decision on progression to the publication of a notice to close the school.

- to welcome and approve the Strategy

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Culture and Leisure which set out the details of the development of the Rotherham Play Strategy by a partnership of organisations led by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in response to an invitation from the Big Lottery Fund and linked with a funding allocation of £655,841.14.  The funding is dependent on the strategy being in place before the application is processed and there are tight deadlines linked with the application.

The draft Strategy has been circulated to partnership members and subsequently to Joint Leaders Team in the Children and Young People’s Service.  Formal approval of the document is needed in order to proceed with the funding application to the Big Lottery Fund.  The strategy will inform this application.

The Rotherham Play Strategy 2007-2012 set out:-

• Why we Need a Play Strategy
• Defining Play
• The Benefits of Play
• The Strategic Context
• Evidence of Need
• Play Facilities and Play Service Providers
• Monitoring & Evaluation
• Play Strategy Action Plan

A small budget of up to £3,000.00 is in place to allow the publication of this strategy.  No other costs beyond core costs have implications on the production of this strategy.  It is envisaged that implementation of the Strategy’s key priorities will be achieved in the first instance from the provisional allocation of £655,841.14 to Rotherham from the Big Lottery Fund’s Children’s Play Programme.  Other sources of funding, both internal and external, will be sought in due course to continue the implementation of the remainder of the Strategy.

Resolved:-  That, subject to minor amendments as discussed, the Rotherham Play Strategy 2007-2012 be welcomed and approved.

- to receive the Performance Report

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Culture and Leisure which outlined the 3^rd quarter progress against Culture and Leisure key performance indicators for 2006/07, projected Rotherham performance against the 2006 Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) Culture Block, and monitoring against the Culture and Leisure Risk Register.

The report gave details of performance in the following areas of work:-

• Service Plan Key Performance Indicators

• Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) Performance – Progress against the Culture Block

            -           CPA Sports Participation PI’s

            -           Library Stock Turn and Stock Level

            -           Resident Satisfaction Performance Indicators

Particular reference was made to the following:-

BVPI 119 – The % of residents satisfied with Cultural Services.   This was part of the triennial resident satisfaction survey carried out on a sample basis by telephone or questionnaire, a non-opinion being reflected as a negative response.

BVPI 220 – Compliance against Public Library Standards.  The final outturn cannot be fully confirmed until after March 2007.  However, a programme of new Library facilities to be delivered in the coming years will improve future performance against Library standards.

CSPI 43 – Internet access points in Borough cultural facilities.   The number of internet access points has been reduced following the closure of two branch libraries.  The situation will improve when two new libraries (Wickersley and Thorpe Hesley), in addition to the new mobile facilities, are fully operational.  The service has, however, met national performance indicators for internet access points per 1,000 population. 

SPI 45 – Swimming Pools & Sports Centres:  The number of swims and other visits per 1,000 population.  It is hoped to meet this target by April, 2007.

CSPI 47 – Number of Green Space sites with Green Flag Award.  ThryberghCountry Park achieved Green Flag in June 2006.  Rother ValleyCountry Park failed in its application.  There are, however, currently an additional 5 applications in preparation.

C4 – Active borrowers as a percentage of population.  A great deal of work was ongoing to bring this to middle or lower threshold. 

C17 – Percentage of adults participating in at least 30 minutes moderate intensity sport and active recreation on three or more days a week.   The performance measure for this indicator is being debated nationally.

C19 – Percentage of population that are within 20 minutes travel time (urban areas – by walk;  rural areas – by car) of a range of three different sports facility types, of which one has achieved a specified quality assured standard.  It is envisaged that this indicator will be met when new leisure facilities are built and some parks and pitches gain Green Flag status.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the position of the results with comparison to targets be noted.

(2)  That the Culture and Leisure Performance Report October-December, 2006  be received.

Resolved:-  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 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

- that Members agree to pursue Option 4

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Culture and Leisure which identified five options for the future of Herringthorpe Playing Field changing pavilion, following a serious arson attack which took place during the weekend of the 23^rd and 24^th September, 2006.

Officers in Asset Management assessed the condition of the building after the attack and determined that it was not fit for use and should be closed to the public.  They have also recommended that the most cost effective way forward is to demolish the building. 

The report set out five options for resolving the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

Two other projects, which could impact on the future of the changing pavilion and which have been running concurrent to the proposed lease agreement with the Rugby Club, are:-

-                       Sports Hub

-                       Feasibility Study

Resolved:-  That Option 4, details of which are as contained in the report now submitted, be pursued.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).