Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest to record. 

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Culture and Tourism held on 4^th June, 2013, were considered.

Resolved: - That the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as a correct record for signature by the Cabinet Member.

Resolved:- (1) That the following appointments be made to the various Outside Bodies, Panels and Sub-Groups shown below for the 2013/14 Municipal Year: -

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

Councillor Rushforth, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism and Councillor Dalton, Adviser, Culture and Tourism.

SOUTH YORKSHIRE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ARCHIVES

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

SWINTON LOCK ACTIVITY CENTRE

Councillor Doyle (1 representative Ward 16 (Swinton)).

TREETON COMMUNITY CENTRE, PLAYING FIELDS AND MEMORIAL SCHEME COMMITTEE

Councillors R. S. Russell and Swift.

TREETON MINERS’ WELFARE BOWLING GREEN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

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

YORKSHIRE LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION

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

BOSTON CASTLE AND PARKLANDS PROJECT BOARD

Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Rushforth (Chair)

Advisers, Culture and Tourism, Councillors Andrews and Dalton

Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development, Councillor Smith

Senior Adviser, Regeneration and Development, Councillor Clark

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

ROTHERHAM LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK MEMBERS’ STEERING GROUP

Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Rushforth.

(2) That no appointment be made to the South Yorkshire Sports Partnership.

·         Urban and Green Spaces Manager, Leisure and Green Spaces, Environment and Development Services, to report. 

Further to Minute No. 48 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Culture and Tourism held on 6th February, 2013, consideration was given to a report presented by the Leisure and Community Services Manager which outlined the results of consultation on proposals to withdraw maintenance from all Borough Council-operated bowling greens (except four in Clifton Park) and sought approval to implement proposals that have been adjusted following analysis of the consultation.

Members were informed that the agreed budget savings for Environment and Development Services for the 2013/2014 financial year included a reduction in the number of crown green bowling greens that the Borough Council maintains and operates within urban parks, resulting in budget savings of £30,000 per year.

The submitted report detailed the comments received during the consultation period in respect of bowling greens throughout the Borough area.

It was noted that the Borough Council would continue to be responsible for the maintenance of pavilions, situated near to the bowling greens, although the budget for this work will be reviewed on an annual basis.

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

(2) That the cessation of maintenance of the two Borough Council-operated bowling greens at Bradgate Park, with effect from 16th July 2013, be approved.

(3) That the transfer of the following bowling greens to the community groups and local authority shown be approved in accordance with the Borough Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy:-

(a) two bowling greens at Barkers Park, Kimberworth Park to the Barkers Park Bowling Club;

(b) two bowling greens at Valley Park to the Valley Park Combined Bowling Club Ltd.;

(c) one bowling green at Greasbrough Park to the Greasbrough Bowling Club; and

(d) one bowling green at Coronation Park, Maltby to Maltby Town Council.

(4) That the maintenance of the bowling greens shall continue at those sites which are to be transferred (listed at resolution 3 above), until the transfer can be made, or until 30th September 2013 (whichever is the earlier).

·         Urban and Green Spaces Manager, Leisure and Green Spaces, Environment and Development Services, to report. 

Further to Minute No. 46 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Culture and Tourism held on 6th February, 2013, consideration was given to a report presented by the Leisure and Community Services Manager outlining the results of the public consultation about the proposal to withdraw £60,000 of funding in respect of the maintenance of the Herringthorpe Athletics Stadium. Details of the feedback received during the consultation period (which began in February 2013) were included in the submitted report.

The report stated that the intention to operate the stadium based on a significant reduction in opening hours to concentrate on peak times only, where running costs could be covered by predicted income, subject to a review of certain fees and charges. The operation of the stadium would be restricted to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm and Saturday from 9.00 am until 12.00 noon. Additional bookings outside these hours would only be accepted if income covers expenditure. Members discussed the implications of the proposals in respect of budget issues, staffing levels and fees and charges for the use of the stadium.

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

(2) That the continued operation of the Herringthorpe Athletics Stadium by the Council, at the peak times and in accordance with the arrangements set out in the report now submitted, be approved only for a 12 months trial period.

(3) That a progress report be submitted to a meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Culture and Tourism at the end of the 12 months’ trial period, or sooner should the operation of the Stadium prove to be unmanageable within the agreed budget.

·         Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Chief Executive’s Directorate, to report.   

The Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing provided information on the progress of the following issues:-

(a) forthcoming, initial discussions with an external consultancy commissioned by the Local Economic Partnership to look at a major events strategy for the Sheffield City Region, taking into account the business and economic benefits of tourism and large-scale public events. The brief includes consideration of events that would benefit from greater co-ordination, promotion or collaboration. Members discussed Rotherham’s potential as a venue for large events, concerts and festivals. The Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing was asked to report on the progress of these initial discussions at a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Culture and Tourism;

(b) the following Rotherham organisations have been shortlisted for the 2013 White Rose Awards:-

: the Magna Science and Adventure Centre, in the Business Tourism category;

: Throapham House, in the Bed and Breakfast category.

Both were listed as being in Sheffield. Contact had been made with Welcome to Yorkshire to ensure that these places are promoted as being within the Rotherham Borough;

(c) it was agreed that the Welcome to Yorkshire organisation’s Service Level Agreement with the Borough Council shall be reported to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Culture and Tourism, enabling Members to review benefits obtained from membership of Welcome to Yorkshire, in comparison to other member local authorities, and to discuss any changes deemed necessary to maximise such benefits for the local area. Welcome to Yorkshire representatives will be invited to attend that meeting.

(d) Tour de France visit to Yorkshire in July, 2014 – Members noted that Welcome to Yorkshire has asked the Borough Council to ensure that the local area is appropriately reflected (through the provision of images and information) in the pre-event publicity and marketing, prior to the Tour de France cycle race taking place in Yorkshire next year, in order to ensure that the Rotherham Borough area may benefit from the influx of tourists.

In addition, a working group of officers has been established to examine how Rotherham can maximise the benefits from the ‘Grand Départ’, including: the cycling legacy, public health benefits linked to the Rotherham Heart Town initiative and also the Sustrans project to encourage cycling amongst school pupils, as well as participation in and links to the Cultural Festival taking place prior to the ‘Grand Départ’ (through which access to funding may be available). The cultural festival will take place in the 100 days leading up to the arrival of the Tour de France;

(e) there had been a recent meeting of the South Yorkshire Tourism Advisory Board, held at Penistone. This meeting included both private and public sector representatives, although attendance at recent meetings had been low. Welcome to Yorkshire was currently reviewing the Board’s effectiveness and role and its possible replacement with quarterly member briefings.

(f) Members discussed the publicity issued in respect of village and town galas and fetes taking place throughout the Borough  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

·         Petition requesting that the Council continues maintenance of one Green at Barkers’ Park until the end of September, 2013.

·         Petition requesting that the Council continues maintenance of one Green at Greasbrough Park until the end of September, 2013.

Consideration was given to the following petitions, relating to bowling green maintenance:-

a) a petition containing 215 signatures, from residents of Munsbrough, Greasbrough and the surrounding area, expressing concern about the Borough Council’s decision to cease maintenance of the bowling green at Greasbrough Park and requesting that such maintenance of this bowling green continue until the end of September, 2013;

b) a petition containing 139 signatures, from residents of Kimberworth, Kimberworth Park and the surrounding area, expressing concern about the Borough Council’s decision to cease maintenance of the bowling green at Barker’s Park (Kimberworth Park) and requesting that such maintenance of this bowling green continue until the end of September, 2013.

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

(2) That the petitioners be informed of the Council’s decisions to continue the maintenance of both of these bowling greens until 30^th September 2013 (Minute No. 10 above refers).

·         Tuesday 17^th September, 2013, to start at 10.00 a.m. in the Rotherham Town Hall. 

Resolved: -  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Culture and Tourism be held on Tuesday, 17^th September, 2013, to start at 10.00 a.m. in the Rotherham Town Hall.