Agenda item

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

1.    That the following recommendations from the review be received:

a)    That the range of available activities tailored for young residents of the Borough be prioritised for expansion.

b)    That consideration be given to how best to expand access, especially for young people, to recreational swimming in the Borough, whilst protecting against hazards.

c)    That the service liaise with Children and Young People’s Services to develop a system to help young carers more easily access opportunities for leisure and culture-related respite.

d)    With a view to expanding access, that consideration be given to hosting cultural events at alternating and varied locations and venues throughout the Borough where appropriate.

2.    That Cabinet formally consider its response to the above recommendations by February 2022, in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

Consideration was given to the report which provided a summary of findings and recommendations from a scrutiny spotlight review undertaken jointly by the Improving Places Select Commission and Improving Lives Select Commission. The aim of the review was to obtain assurances that, following the isolation associated with the pandemic and growing financial pressures on families, the Council’s Cultural Strategy was responsive to these challenges. Furthermore, the review aimed to ensure the Council was delivering on its 2022-25 Council Plan objectives that local people had access to libraries, cultural activities, parks and green spaces and that children and young people have fun things to do and safe places to go.

Members of the Improving Places Select Commission and Improving Lives Select Commission met with Culture, Sport and Tourism Service leads, and the Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion. The review was undertaken by Councillors Pitchley, Atkin, Cooksey, Griffin, Havard, Keenan, McNeely, and Sansome. The resulting recommendations were endorsed by the Improving Lives Select Commission on 3rd May, 2022, on behalf of both Select Commissions which conducted the spotlight review. The recommendations were subsequently endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 12th October, 2022.

Consideration was given to specific areas of work which comprised part of the current offer. Members considered those examples in determining whether there was enough evidence to provide assurances in 2 areas:

1.    that there was sufficient variety and availability of cultural events to cater to diverse interests and respond to the changing needs of communities.

2.    whether inclusive access to a variety of events across the Borough was sufficient to ensure that young people have fun things to do and safe places to go and that local people have access to cultural activities close to where they live.

In accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, Cabinet was required to consider and response to the recommendation in no more than 2 months from the date they received the report.

Resolved:-

1.    That the following recommendations from the review be received:

a.    That the range of available activities tailored for young residents of the Borough be prioritised for expansion.

b.    That consideration be given to how best to expand access, especially for young people, to recreational swimming in the Borough, whilst protecting against hazards.

c.     That the Service liaise with Children and Young People’s Services to develop a system to help young carers more easily access opportunities for leisure and culture-related respite.

d.    With a view to expanding access, that consideration be given to hosting cultural events at alternating and varied locations and venues throughout the Borough where appropriate.

2.    That Cabinet formally consider its response to the above recommendations by February 2023, in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.