Issue - meetings

This report analyses performance by reference to the service plan, the budget, and the performance indicators for all of the services funded through the leisure and culture budget.

RESOLVED:             That the performance of services within the directorate funded through the Leisure & Culture budget be noted and the draft revenue outturn for 2006/07 be approved, noting that the underspend will be transferred to the Council’s reserves.

REASON:                  To monitor and review perform performance in the Leisure and Culture portfolio area.

Members considered a report that analysed performance by reference to the service plan, the budget and the performance indicators for all of the services funded through the leisure and culture budget.

Members said that they were very pleased to see that York’s Sports’ Coaches Association was popular with young people and the Officer said that this has been set up to run relevant qualifications and also to provide support within schools on how to backfill coach’s positions.

Members raised concerns that there has been underspends in several areas linked to sport and active leisure and Officers commented that there has been significant extra cost incurred in other sports’ areas with the unexpected temporary closure of Edmund and Wilson Gymnasium and the provision of other facilities over this period and that it had been necessary to produce managed savings to balance these and overspends incurred elsewhere within the Learning, Culture and Children’s Services Department.

Members said that there was a clear indication that better communication was needed regarding the School’s Out Programme and Officers said that they were trying to communicate a broader programme for School’s Out and increase the range and awareness of activities for young people to get involved in.

In response to Members questions regarding York’s action plan for community sports engagement with London 2012 Officers said that they will now be drawing up an action plan. They said that the information and direction from both national and regional sources was arriving very slowly. They were conscious that York could miss out on opportunities if it waited further. Officers said that they were attending a Sport England workshop in July and they were hoping to have more information after this event. Officers also said that there was a need for a pro-active approach and it was important to look to the years after 2012 as well.

Officers said that the situation regarding the allotments was very good and they were very nearly full. There had been a lot of investment in the sites to encourage use including improvements to drainage and security. Members said that they had met many people from the allotments and they were very happy with the facilities provided.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Note the performance of services within the directorate funded through the Leisure & Culture budget

·        Approve the draft revenue outturn for 2006/07, noting that the underspend will be transferred to the Council’s reserves.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To monitor and review perform performance in the Leisure and Culture portfolio area.