Quarterly update on the implementation of individual elements of the Future Perfect Action Plan:
Guy Kilminster, Libraries, Museums & Arts Manager
Steve Hallsworth, Leisure & Green Spaces Manager
Marie Hayes, Commercial & Promotional Services Manager
Rod Norton, Young People’s Services Manager
Richard Poundford, Head of Rotherham Investment & Development Office
(Local Tourism Partnership)
Minutes:
Quarterly update reports were given on the implementation of individual elements of the Future Perfect Action Plan, as follows:-
Libraries - Three years ago the service had not met Library Standards. However, since the refurbishment of libraries the service was meeting 19 of the 26 public library standards – an improvement from 5 out of 28 in 2001. This was attributable to the hard work of staff, management and investment in the service.
In addition, the Service has been nominated by the Charter Mark Assessors for a quality standard. This is in recognition of a high quality of public service delivery and customer care. The Service would be the first to achieve this status in RMBC, which was again attributable to the hard work of staff and management.
Councillor Boyes added that Rotherham had been highlighted as the best of the nine Authorities inspected by the assessors.
Museum – Work on Clifton ParkMuseum’s refurbishment was in the last stage of completion. Exhibition fit out was well underway and staff will move back some time in October and be trained on new systems. A re-opening date of 29th January, 2005 was being publicised.
Archives and Local Studies – Sarah Wickham, new Principal Officer was to start this week . Sarah was looking forward to meeting people who wished to talk to her on matters concerning archives and local studies, knowledge from members of this consortium being particularly encouraged. It was hoped to fully open the section once Sarah was settled in due to there having been temporary closures due to staffing shortages.
A comment was made that archives staff had done a very good job during the difficult period following Tony Munford’s sudden death.
Theatre and Community Arts – The Cultural Diversity Festival at the Rotherham Show had been very successful, with very positive feedback from participants and audiences.
Participation in the work of the Town Team would continue, particularly regarding the replacement of the Civic Theatre, Regimental Museum and Art Gallery.
Pantomime – The sale of tickets for this year’s pantomime was very good.
Leisure and Green Space – External funding used for staffing the Sports Development Team had ceased. However, a core team had been established which was now a permanent RMBC team. A number of key pieces of work had started to happen as a result. These included links with local ethnic minorities – All Pakistan Women’s Association - and the introduction of a community coach as a result of joint funding through Sports Partnership/Sport England. This was a three year contract.
Space for Sport and Arts Facilities – All in place for Junior School sites. The feedback was very positive on the sports facilities which was being well used and accessed by all members of the community.
Green Space Audit – This was a key piece of work alongside the Green Space Strategy looking at the use of green space, identifying equity across the Borough and looking at current green space resources and how to target them more effectively. Work was presently being evaluated and the final document would be very useful in attracting both capital and external funding.
The Football Foundation in particular is keen to develop grass pitches as well as outdoor facilities.
A decision was still awaited on an application to the Football Foundation for a Football Development Officer to work in the community to raise participation for boys/girls and adults. The application had now been passed to the Football Foundation Panel prior to submission to the Board. This was a five year post funded by the Football Foundation.
In addition, the service had secured a post of PE and Sports Development Officer.
Councillor Boyes made the point that, as well as quantity, the audit was about the quality of provision.
Sports Colleges – Two Sports Colleges in Rotherham funded by DfES to develop a series of sports to all secondary schools. A person was being identified to develop School Club links. Strategy to (1) offer opportunities in exercise and fitness and (2) maximise links in the community to encourage young people to participate in sport - Active Mark and Sports Mark status which demonstrates that Schools are linking inside and out of the community. This was to be publicised in Rotherham Matters.
UrbanPark Ranger Scheme – There had been positive feedback from several people about this service. A further year’s funding had been secured.
Members of the Consortium raised the following questions with regard to the ranger service:-
- such a valuable service to the community it should be mainstream funded
- believed that the service was the way to encourage general public to use parks
- mis-use of skateboarding facilities – security issues demonstrating need for ranger service
Councillor Boyes gave an assurance that the important role of the rangers was acknowledged within the Council, that the matter was under constant review and was dependent on funding. Ways of delivering the service through funding opportunities was constantly being explored.
Heritage Parks – The preferred consultants have been selected for the work on Clifton and BostonParks.
Herringthorpe Leisure Centre – It was confirmed that the Centre would be demolished and re-built, the timescale for which would depend on the whole programme of redevelopment. It was intended to sustain current facilities for as long as possible until the new facilities opened. Depending on proposals by builders, it may be possible to build around the old building whilst still being used.
Local Tourism Partnership – A background to the formation of the Partnership was given since the restructuring to National and Regional tourism. Yorkshire Forward have not been prescriptive about what the restructuring should look like but are concerned about a sub-regional approach to be able to put forward a joint bid for tourism. A sub-group had been established to determine the roles, functions and responsibilities of what such an organisation in South Yorkshire would represent.
It was not Rotherham’s intention to give up the strength of the work already established through the tourism centre, and one which other Local Authorities are trying to model themselves on.
Consultants were being asked to submit an interim report in November and it was hoped to put work in place early next year on (1) a proposal for a vision for tourism for South Yorkshire, joining together the different projects and (2) to come together in terms of marketing to attract longer stay opportunities.
Reference was made to interesting tourism sites in the area such as – The Churches Tourism – Countryside and Walking Festival – Roche Abbey.
Commercial and Promotional Services – Achievements over recent months were highlighted. These included – 2nd Rotherham Cultural Conference. The theme was Marketing Culture and good presentations had been given from Magna, Sports Development, Friends of Clifton Park Museum, Get Sorted Crew and Youth Cabinet. Workshops had taken place in the afternoon, culminating in a Marketing Took Kit being issued to all delegates who attended.
The event had been poorly attended with only 20 organisations being represented compared to 45-50 the first year.
One member commented on how good the Conference had been, despite the poor attendance, and suggested the event be re-launched.
There had been a number of good high profile publications over the last few months – Theatre brochure, Annual Review of Culture and Swimming leaflet, Rotherham Show and Children’s Publicity.
A discussion ensued on the prices of food and drink at Rotherham Show.
Guy Kilminster explained how the charging system was calculated, part of which was towards supporting the cost of the free show, and suggested this could be addressed at the point of specifications for tenders being sent to caterers next year.