Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest to record. 

Further to Minute No. F37 (Athletics Stadium budget savings, 2013/14) of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism held on 5^th February, 2013, consideration was now given to a report relating to a proposal to close the Herringthorpe Athletics Stadium for general use to help to meet budget targets for 2013/14. 

The submitted report, presented by the Leisure and Community Services Manager, Environment and Development Services, outlined the current usage of the Herringthorpe Athletics Stadium during 2012/13, and the proposed usage against the different functions during 2013/14.  It was noted that the proposal to close the Athletics Stadium would achieve a budget saving of £60,000.  If implemented, the proposal would put four members of staff at risk of redundancy.  It was noted that the F1 form and an Equality Impact Assessment had been conducted on the proposal. 

Rotherham Harriers Athletics Club was a key partner to the Athletics Stadium, and it was proposed that Officers enter into discussions with them to explore the Club taking on a license agreement.  The possible operation of the license agreement was outlined in the submitted report, and would likely involve the Council retaining responsibility for the external repair and maintenance of the buildings, the running track and general grounds maintenance work. 

The risks and uncertainties associated with the proposal were considered in the report.  It was noted that if an agreement with the Rotherham Harriers Athletics Club could not be reached, the Stadium and site would be completely closed.

Discussion ensued on the proposal: -

·           Impact on staff;

·           Potential for other interested groups to become involved.  

Resolved: - (1) That the proposal to close the Herringthorpe Athletics Stadium for general use be approved.

(2) That Environment and Development Services Officers enter into discussions with Rotherham Harriers Athletics Club in order to explore the possibility of establishing a license agreement to enable the Stadium to continue as an athletics venue.

Further to Minute No. F38 (Trees and Woodlands budget savings, 2013/14) of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism held on 5^th February, 2013, consideration was now given to a report relating to a proposal to remove £70, 000 from the Service’s budget.  The proposal would mean that the Service would become ‘reactive only’.

The report, presented by the Leisure and Community Services Manager, Environment and Development Services, outlined the Council’s legal responsibilities in relation to the trees that it owned. The report noted the functions that the Trees and Woodlands Service had undertaken in 2012/13, and the proposed functions that would continue during 2013/14. 

It was noted that tree works were undertaken on behalf of the Council through a contract with Glendale Countryside Limited; the contract was managed by the Trees and Woodlands Team.  Legal Services had examined the proposals and did not identify any conflict with the existing contract. 

The risks and uncertainties in relation to the proposals were set out in the report.  The proposed change to re-focusing on reactive works was considered to be a high-risk approach for the Council. 

Although there was a total cash saving proposed of £70,000, it was likely that the proposal would mean that the Trees and Woodlands Service were unable to increase their income through undertaking external works, it would be more likely that a net saving of £65,000 would be achieved. 

Resolved: - (1)  That the approval to reduce the Trees and Woodlands Service budget by £70, 000 be approved.

(2)  That, as  the proposal meant the Trees and Woodlands Service were unlikely to meet an external income target of £5,000,  the net budget saving of £65,000 be approved. 

Further to Minute No. F39 (Bowling Green budget savings, 2013/14) of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism held on 5^th February, 2013, consideration was now given to a report relating to a proposal to cease maintenance of the Council’s bowling greens (with the exception of those at Clifton Park), in order to meet budget savings for 2013/14.  The proposal to reduce the bowling greens maintained by the Council from eleven to four would contribute to a budget saving of £30,000.

The submitted report, presented by the Leisure and Community Services Manager, Environment and Development Services, related to ceasing maintenance at the following bowling greens: -

·           Barkers Park

·           Bradgate Park (x 2)

·           Greasbrough Park

·           Maltby Coronation Park

·           Valley Park (x 2)

The proposal had been discussed with Rotherham’s Community Engagement Office, and the appropriate F1 form and Equality Impact Assessment form had been undertaken. 

All user groups would be invited to express an interest in taking on the responsibility for maintenance of the grounds.  Environment and Development Services Officers would work with the group(s) that expressed an interest. 

The risks and uncertainties associated with the proposal were considered within the submitted report.  The risks linked to public concern at the loss of the bowling greens, and the risk of anti-social behaviour and vandalism at the sites concerned. 

Resolved: - (1) That the cessation of maintenance at the RMBC-owned and managed bowling greens, as outlined within the submitted report, be approved.

(2)  That invitations be issued to bowling clubs and/or other suitable and interested parties to express an interest in taking over the responsibility for maintenance of affected greens at their own expense.  

Further to Minute No. F39 (Grant Budget savings, 2013/14) of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism held on 5^th February, 2013, consideration was now given to a report relating to a proposal to remove two grant budgets in order to make saving targets required for 2013/14.

The submitted report, presented by the Leisure and Community Services Manager, Environment and Development Services, outlined the two grants under consideration, these were ‘Third Party Funding Grant’ and the ‘Space for Schools and Arts Fund’.  Removal of the grant budgets would contribute to a saving of £30,000.

The submitted report outlined the previous totals and use of the grants.  The potential risks and uncertainties associated with the proposal were also outlined. 

Resolved: - That the removal of the Third Party Funding Grant and the Space for Sports and Arts Fund be approved. 

Further to Minute No. F40 (Play Area Inspection budget savings, 2013/14) of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism held on 5^th February, 2013, consideration was now given to a report relating to a proposal to introduce charges in order to make savings required to help meet the budget savings target for 2013/14 of £9,000. 

The proposal related to introducing charges to parish councils for the Play Area Inspection Service of £20 per month per play area inspection.  The submitted report outlined the total annual cost for the 2013/14 financial year to each parish council.

If every parish council instructed the Green Spaces Team, Environment and Development Services, to carry out the inspections, there would be a budget saving of £9,000, however, this saving would reduce if parish councils opted to undertake the inspections in other ways. 

The submitted report outlined the risks and uncertainties associated with the proposal.

Resolved: - That the proposal to introduce new charges to parish councils for play area inspections be approved. 

·         Tuesday 12^th March, 2013, to start at 10.00 am in the Rotherham Town Hall. 

Resolved: -  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism take place on Tuesday 12^th March, 2013, to start at 10.00 am in the Rotherham Town Hall.