Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member for Culture, Lifestyle, Sport and Tourism held on 18^th February, 2011.

With regards to Minute No. 54 (Bowling Greens Budget Savings) it was noted that some consultation meetings had been arranged.  In addition, interested parties had also been invited to express interests in taking over responsibility for maintenance of greens or to suggest alterative greens for consideration.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 18^th February, 2011, be signed as a true record.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Elenore Fisher, Cultural Services Manager, which set out details with regards to Yorkshire Libraries and Information (YLI), of which Rotherham was a member.  Yorkshire Libraries and Information was a regional community of public libraries working together to offer cost effective, quality services to partners. The responsibilities for Yorkshire Libraries and Information included the maintenance of a section (authors N-S) of the National Joint Fiction Reserve and a regional Music and Drama loan collection. Yorkshire Libraries and Information proposed to discontinue and dispose of the Fiction Reserve collection and to review delivery of the Music and Drama collection.

Additionally, several library authorities were considering withdrawing from the Music and Drama service which could increase the costs for those which remained. The Yorkshire Libraries and Information constitution required a full twelve months notice of withdrawal, which meant that notice of intent to pull out of the service in the year 2012-13 must be received by Yorkshire Libraries and Information by 31st March, 2011.

It was noted that if the situation altered during the course of the year it was possible for Rotherham to opt back into the Music and Drama service.  However, if the number of participating authorities decreased there could be a substantial increase on the annual charge for the authorities that remained.

Discussion ensued on the numbers and types of subscribing groups to the Music and Drama service, the implications to service users of the withdrawal of the service and the risk of an increased cost in 2012 should Rotherham remain part of the service.  It was suggested that prior to the meeting of the Yorkshire Libraries and Information next Thursday that contact be made with Rotherham’s Operatic and Drama Association to ascertain their views on the proposed withdrawal from the service.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the ending of the Yorkshire Libraries and Information Fiction Reserve collection and its sale to a book dealer and/or a salvage company for the best price available be noted.

(2)  That notice be given to withdraw from the Yorkshire Libraries and Information Music and Drama collection as of 1st April 2012, but that a further report be submitted to the Cabinet Member in six months time for a review of the decision based on feedback from the Music and Drama service users and whether the number of participating authorities had decreased.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Marie Hayes, Events and Promotions Service Manager, which outlined the annual review of Culture and Leisure fees and charges for 2011/12. 

The annual review of fees and charges for Culture and Leisure had recently taken place in line with the Service’s Pricing Policy adopted in 2005.  Where appropriate, charges have been increased by at least the rate of inflation.  Where charges have been increased by less than inflation rate or remained the same, this was because either increasing a price would incur additional costs (e.g. for changing ticket/photocopying machines) or where managers felt that an increase would affect customer levels.

It should be noted that several core services still remained essentially free of charge, e.g. public library service, museum service, archives and local studies service and casual access to green spaces and children’s play areas.  Where there was a charge there was often a concessionary rate and, particularly related to leisure activities, a junior Rothercard rate.  Concessionary customers were not restricted to access at off-peak times as was the case in many other local authorities.

It was noted that the charges for allotments were for financial year 2012/13, but this was because it was Rotherham’s practice for allotment holders to receive twelve months’ notice of any increase in line with Allotment Act Legislation.  These charges were still below comparable local authorities and it was the intention to carry on increasing them above inflation each year until we reached a comparable rate.

An amendment to the pricing schedule was noted which allowed bowling teams visiting bowling greens in order to play league matches to be charged a flat rate fee per match to allow for more efficient collection of fees for this service.

The proposed charges were with effect from 1st April, 2011 (26th March, 2011, for Country Parks and 1st September, 2011, for the Civic Theatre).

Clarification was sought on the concessionary rates/users in relation to room hire as set out in the fees and charges and the facilities on offer at the Town Hall.

Resolved:-  That the fees and charges as set out in the report be approved.