Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the management of Community Centres in relation to budgets, property management and maintenance, rental support and pricing and lettings policy.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the development of a local action plan be delegated to a time limited task and finish group involving appropriate Members and officers.

c)  That approval be given to the proposals in relation to Community Centres in accordance with the report now submitted.

d)  That in relation to securing the future use of the West Park Centre for community use, this issue be referred to a time limited task and finish group for consideration.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on the management of Community Centres in relation to budgets, property management and maintenance, rental support and pricing and lettings policy.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

a)  Area Functions Information – 2009/10 – Community Centres (Appendix 1 refers)

b)  Environment and Neighbourhoods (Area Management Schedules 2009-10) – Controllable Costs (Appendix 2 refers)

c)  Corporate Property Management – Community Centre Building Maintenance Expenditure/Status Briefing (Appendix 3 refers)

d)  Backlog Maintenance: Category A centres to transfer to Environment and Neighbourhoods (November 2007) Phase 2 (Appendix 4 refers)

The following officers were in attendance and responded to Member’s queries and comments:-

Liz Jarmin, Neighbourhood Services Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods

Trudie Canavan, Community Issues Officer, Environment and Neighbourhoods

Steve Crocker, West North West Area Manager provided the meeting with a brief background on the proposals contained within the report.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• the retention of any savings in relation to the controllable operational cost beyond the proposed  twelve month timescale

(The Neighbourhood Service Manager agreed to take this comment back and discuss with colleagues in finance)

• clarification of what would happen to the capital receipts arising from the disposal of community centre assets e.g. Woodsley Road Community Centre

(The Neighbourhood Service Manager responded that discussions were already taking place with the Area Officers in respect of this matter)

• the need to ensure that the service provided was flexible and catered for evening meetings/events
• the need for officers to focus on the development of a local action plan
• the need for a task and finish group to be established to take this delegation forward, which should include Elected Members
• the need for Burley Lodge Centre to expand their facilities with the possibility of purchasing additional property within the same street

(The Neighbourhood Service Manager responded and agreed to look into this matter further)

• the need for the Committee consider the production of a business plan and feasibility study to secure the future use of the West Park Centre for community use

(Following discussions, Members of the Committee were supportive of this proposal, in principle, however it was agreed that the matter should be referred to the community centres task and finish group for consideration)

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the development of a local action plan be delegated to a time limited task and finish group involving appropriate Members and officers.

c)  That approval be given, in principle, to the proposals in relation to

the delegation of Community Centres in accordance with the report now submitted.

d)  That in relation to securing the future use of the West Park Centre for community use, this issue be referred to a time limited task and finish group for consideration.

(Councillor J Chapman left the meeting at 9.00pm during discussions of the above item)