Agenda and draft minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member for Culture, Lifestyle, Sport and Tourism held on 4^th May, 2011.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 4^th May, 2011, be signed as a true record.

Consideration was given to a report which set out the details of the outside bodies and sub-groups which the Cabinet Member was requested to review for the 20011/2012 Municipal Year.

Resolved:-  That the  nominations/memberships for 2011/2012 be approved as follows:-

KIVETON PARK – MINERS’ WELFARE GROUNDS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Councillor Whysall (Ward No. 18 (Wales))

SOUTH YORKSHIRE FOREST – Members’ Steering Committee:-

Councillors Sangster and Wyatt

SOUTH YORKSHIRE FOREST ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST LTD

Councillor Sangster

SOUTH YORKSHIRE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ARCHAEOLOGY

Councillors Rushforth, Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture and Councillor Dalton, Senior Adviser, Lifelong Learning and Culture.

SOUTH YORKSHIRE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ARCHIVES

Councillors Rushforth, Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture and Councillor Dalton, Senior Adviser, Lifelong Learning and Culture, together with the Cultural Services Manager (or an officer from Archives and Local Studies)

SOUTH YORKSHIRE SPORTS PARTNERSHIP

This nomination was referred to Councillor Wyatt, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing for consideration.

SWINTON LOCK ACTIVITY CENTRE

Councillor Doyle (1 representative Ward 16 (Swinton))

TREETON COMMUNITY CENTRE, PLAYING FIELDS AND MEMORIAL SCHEME COMMITTEE

Councillors Roddison and Swift

TREETON MINERS’ WELFARE BOWLING GREEN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Councillors Nightingale, R. S. Russell and Swift (Ward No. 11 (Rother Vale))

YORKSHIRE LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION

Councillor Rushforth , Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture together with Elenore Fisher, Cultural Services Manager and Bernard Murphy, Manager, Library and Information Service

BOSTON CASTLE PROJECT BOARD

Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, Councillor Rushforth (Chair)

Advisers, Lifelong Learning and Culture, Councillors Dalton and Andrews

Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity, Councillor Smith

Senior Adviser, Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity, Councillor Walker

Councillors Hussain, McNeely and Wootton (Ward No. 2 (Boston Castle))

CLIFTON PARK RESTORATION PROJECT BOARD

Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, Councillor Rushforth – (Chair)

Advisers, Lifelong Learning and Culture, Councillors Dalton and Andrews

Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity, Councillor Smith

Senior Adviser, Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity, Councillor Walker

Cabinet Member for Safeguarding Children and Adults, Councillor Lakin

Cabinet Member for Community Development, Equalities and Young People’s Issues(also Ward 2 Boston Castle), Councillor Hussain

Ward Members from Ward No. 2 (Boston Castle) and Ward No. 12 (Rotherham East) – Councillors Ali, Dodson, Kirk, McNeely and Wootton

ROTHER VALLEY COUNTRY PARK MEMBERS’ STEERING GROUP

Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, Councillor Rushforth

Cabinet Member Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity, Councillor Smith (also Holderness Ward)

Members from Wards Nos. 6 (Holderness), 11 (Rother Vale) and 18 (Wales) - in liaison with Oak Holdings

ROTHERHAM LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK MEMBERS’ STEERING GROUP

Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, Councillor Rushforth

Consideration was given to a report presented by Bernard Murphy, Manager of the Library and Information Service, which set out details of how Rotherham Library and Information Services offered a request service to customers.

As part of the annual setting of fees and charges, the Library Service proposed a change to the request procedure from April, 2011. Prior to April, 2011 the request service had been free of charge.  From April a limit of three concurrent free requests was introduced, after which limit there would be a charge (50p) for each extra. This was in response to previous comments that the stock in a number of community libraries was becoming “unbalanced” due to the large number of requests within specific areas of interest.

The change was intended to be on a “trial” basis, pending a further review of the stock policy.   However, following customer complaints in April about the change, it was decided to undertake an immediate review. 

Rotherham Library and Information Service (LIS) aimed to provide the people of Rotherham with a Library Service which was right for them – wherever, however and whenever they need it.  It was clear that this new procedure was not fulfilling that need.

The ‘wherever, however and whenever’ would continue to be different for every customer and this needed to be recognised in procedures. In addition, a new library catalogue had recently been launched that was likely to increase a borrower’s interest in items that may not be at their local library. It was, therefore, proposed to reinstate free requests, other than those obtained via inter-library loans. 

The Cabinet Member welcomed this revision to the procedure and stressed the importance of listening to customers about their access to this important resource.

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

(2)  That the reinstatement of the free request service be approved.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Phil Gill, Green Spaces Manager, which proposed to name a new bird hide at Ulley Country Park.

The new bird hide/screen that had been constructed at Ulley Country Park (UCP) was funded through the Rother Valley West Area Assembly Devolved Budget.  It was proposed that it was named ‘The Russ Howes Bird Hide’ and seen as a fitting tribute to the exceptional contribution made by Russ Howes through twenty-three years of volunteering.

Despite being eighty years old, Russ continued to work tirelessly for the benefit of the park and still attended all relevant meetings and events helping out wherever he was asked to.  It was felt appropriate that his work was recognised in this way during his lifetime.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the contents of this report be noted.

(2)  That the proposal to name the new bird hide at Ulley Country Park ‘The Russ Howes Bird Hide’ be approved.

Further to Minute No. 54 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 18^th February, 2011, consideration was given to a report presented by Andy Lee, Operations Manager, which outlined the results of the consultation on proposals to withdraw maintenance from selected bowling greens and sought approval to implement proposals that have been adjusted following analysis of the consultation.

Since the report regarding consultation on bowling greens maintenance was presented a decision was taken to consider maintenance of bowling greens on land owned by Parish Councils and CISWO separately as part of a wider review of grounds maintenance at such sites and consultation with Parish Councils and CISWO was continuing, led by colleagues in Community Delivery.  The outcome of the review was to be reported separately.

The agreement to maintain the green at Wickersley Christian Institute was unique in that no other agreements existed for similar greens. The green was maintained by the Council on behalf of the Christian Institute Trustees. To rationalise the situation, it was previously agreed that the Council should stop maintaining this green, subject to consultation. However, an agreement was subsequently found to exist between the Council and the Trustees requiring a minimum of six months notice to be given.  Consequently, it is proposed that notice be given that maintenance would cease from 1st January, 2012.

The selection of greens proposed for cessation of maintenance had principally taken into account the availability of other greens within the same geographical area. However, the usage levels at Council-managed greens, the number of greens at each site, the quality of ancillary facilities (such as pavilions) that were available and other factors affecting value for money were also taken into account when identifying where reductions could be made. 

Clubs have been invited to submit expressions of interest should they believe themselves to be in a position to take on responsibility for the maintenance of greens at their own expense. To date no firm expressions of interest have been made, but clubs may still make an expression of interest after confirmation of the greens where the Council would no longer provide maintenance.

The original proposals have changed following the consultation from the previous report which suggested ceasing maintenance at various sites to the ones now recommended.

Discussion ensued on the original savings target from the cessation of maintenance of selected bowling greens, the future of the bowling greens, the ongoing review with Parish Councils and the possibility of a co-operative initiative to share equipment.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the cessation of maintenance of the following Council managed greens be approved from 1st July, 2011:-

·              Two greens at Rawmarsh Leisure (Barbers Avenue).

·              One green at Barkers Park.

·              One green at Boston Park.

·              One green at Wath Park.

·              One green at Rosehill Park.

·              One green at Bradgate Park.

·              One green at Coronation Park.

(2)  That the further maintenance of the bowling green at Greasbrough Park be reviewed in 2012.

(3)  That notice be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.