Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point, the Executive Member is asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest he may have in the business on this agenda.

The Executive Member was invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests he might have in the business on the agenda.

No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on11 January 2011.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the Decision Session-Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion on 11 January 2011 be signed and approved as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting can do so.

The deadline for registering is Tuesday 1 February 2011 at 5.00 pm.

Members of the public may register to speak on;

• An item on the agenda;
• An issue within the Executive Member’s remit;
• An item that has been published on the Information Log since the last session.

It had been reported that there had been one registration to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Councillor Crisp spoke on Agenda Items 4 and 5 (Revenue Budget Estimates 2011/12 and Area Based Working Pilot: First Quarter Report).

In relation to the Area Based Working Pilot: First Quarter Report she informed the Executive Member that the priorities for Holgate Ward had not yet been agreed with Ward Members. She added that the data that had been discussed at the Partnership Board meetings was out of date and that she felt that it would not be realistic to use it to formulate priorities for the Ward. As a result of this she felt that the priorities as set down in Annex 1, had not been achieved.

This report presents the 2011/12 budget proposals for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion. The Executive Member is asked for his comments on the proposals.

The Executive Member considered a report that presented him with the 2011/12 budget proposals for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion.

RESOLVED:             (i)            That the report be noted.

(ii)               That in relation to the proposal to alter the hours of operation of the main parks and gardens, the following was agreed; that in summer the closing times shall continue to be 9.30/10pm, and that on Saturdays and Sundays the opening time shall be 9am.

(iii)             That the proposals detailed in the report and associated annexes be forwarded to the Budget Executive meeting for consideration.

REASON:                              In accordance with consultation on the budget.

The Executive Member considered a report that presented him with the 2011/12 budget proposals for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion. He spoke about how there had been significant challenges in terms of protecting services in the face of decreased resources, particularly within his portfolio area.

He highlighted that he felt that York’s libraries, Energise and its open spaces provided value for money when compared to other Local Authorities across the country.

The Executive Member was informed that as part of the consultation process, Officers had received comments from local bowling clubs in relation to the proposal to close the five main parks and gardens at 9.00 pm in the summer. The comments suggested that the closing time of 9.00 pm during the summer could be detrimental to the clubs, due to the possibility of late running matches.

Officers suggested to the Executive Member that the parks could remain with their current closing times, but that they could open at the earlier hour of 9 am at the weekends. This would then reduce the need to employ temporary staff in order to comply with the working time directive.

The Executive Member noted these comments and suggested that Officers amended the proposal.

RESOLVED:             (i)            That the report be noted.

(ii) That in relation to the proposal to alter the hours of operation of the main parks and gardens, the following was agreed; that in summer the closing times shall continue to be 9.30/10pm, and that on Saturdays and Sundays the opening time shall be 9am.

(ii)               That the proposals detailed in the report and associated annexes be forwarded to the Budget Executive meeting for consideration.

REASON:                              In accordance with consultation on the budget.

The purpose of the report is to present the Executive Member with the progress made in the first quarter of the Area Based Working project. The annexes attached to the report are available online only.

The Executive Member considered a report which appraised him of the progress made in the first quarter of the Area Based Working project.

RESOLVED:             (i)            That the report be noted.

(ii)               That the Executive Member and Ward Members receive an update from Officers on the specific priorities relevant to the Holgate Ward.

REASON:                              To ensure that the Executive Member is kept updated on the progress with the pilot project.

The Executive Member considered a report which appraised him of the progress made in the first quarter of the Area Based Working project.

In relation to comments made by Councillor Crisp, Officers confirmed that the Ward priorities had not been agreed by the Holgate Ward Partnership but that the relevant data would be updated and circulated to inform of amended priorities that would be confirmed in the next quarter report.

The Executive Member praised the pilot scheme as allowing for meaningful knowledge of communities in York and for the development of services around the needs of individual areas rather than city wide models. He appreciated that significant challenges would need to be met and requested that performance relating to these be included in a second quarter report.

RESOLVED:             (i)            That the report be noted.

(ii)               That the Executive Member and Ward Members receive an update from Officers on the specific priorities relevant to the Holgate Ward.

REASON:                              To ensure that the Executive Member is kept updated on the progress with the pilot project.