Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on the agenda.

No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th September 2007.

RESOLVED :That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Member for Leisure and Culture and Advisory Panel held on 4 September be approved and signed by the Chair and Executive Member as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Board’s remit can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5pm on Thursday 18^th November 2007.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report updates members on two recent initiatives that the Lifelong Learning and Culture team has undertaken as part

of a drive for continuous improvement in the services that it provides:

·         The first Regional Cultural Commentary for York

·         Self-assessment using the “Towards an Excellent Service” mode

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·              Note and comment on the ‘Towards an Excellent Service’ model(TAES) self-assessment, the

Regional Cultural Commentary and the areas for improvement planning set out in the report and annexes.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:             That the Advice of the advisory panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  So that a rigorous programme of service improvement can be taken forward.

Members considered a report which updated them on two recent initiatives that the Lifelong Learning and Culture team had undertaken as part of a drive for continuous improvement in the services that it provides, these being the first Regional Cultural Commentary for York and Self-assessment using the “Towards an Excellent Service” (TAES) model.

The report detailed the background to the two schemes, and their purposes and aims. Officers reported that they welcomed the two schemes as they felt that they were beneficial in improving delivery and were useful benchmarking tools.

Members discussed the Self Improvement plan detailed in the report, the aspirations in terms of CPA scoring, and the strengths and areas for consideration/development of the two schemes. Members further discussed the provision of training courses in public libraries, the provision of activities for young people, and the community sport structure.     

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to note the Towards an Excellent Service’ model (TAES) self-assessment, the Regional Cultural Commentary and the areas for improvement planning set out in the report and annexes, and the comments of Members.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  So that a rigorous programme of service improvement can be taken forward.

This report updates members on the progress of the York Museums Trust (YMT) towards meeting the targets agreed in the Partnership Delivery Plan.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Note and comment upon the performance of the York Museums Trust

·        Agree to the application of the Council’s capital as set out in paragraph 15 of the report

·        Recommend that the Executive considers the trust’s request for £250k of prudential borrowing in order to fund the balance of the Hospitium scheme

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To fulfil the Council’s role under the Partnership Delivery Plan.

Members considered a report which updated them on the progress of the York Museums Trust (YMT) towards meeting the targets agreed in the Partnership Delivery Plan.

The Partnership Delivery Plan (PDP) approved by members in December 2002 outlined the key targets and objectives which the Council requires YMT to work towards over the next five years.  Members had asked for regular updates on progress.  This report covered the period April 2007 to September 2007. 

The report updated on the capital programme, including the Art Gallery Roof, the Hospitium, and the Heritage Lottery Fund Bid in respect of the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens.

Michael Woodward, Director of Finance and Business Development of the YMT attended the meeting to update Members on progress in the above areas. Members were also updated regarding the ongoing developments of the Castle Museum, the increase in visitor numbers due to a television advertising campaign, and the developments to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the museum next year.

Updates were provided on the Hospitium project.

The report detailed the current capital programme and the reprofile requested in paragraphs 14 & 15 of the report :

Current

                                                                                                £,000s

2007/08                                  Hospitium                               200

                                                1960’s Experience               200

2008/09                                  Prison Experience                100

                                                Yorkshire Museum                500

2009/10                                  Yorkshire Museum                500

                                                Gardens                                 263

Reprofile requested

2007/08                                  Hospitium                               200

                                                1960’s Experience               200

                                                Art Gallery Roof                     200

2008/09                                  Prison Experience                100

                                                Yorkshire Museum                100

2009/10                                  Yorkshire Museum                500

                                                Gardens                                 263

2010/11                                  Yorkshire Museum                200

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Note the performance of the York Museums Trust, and Members comments;

·        Agree to the application of the Council’s capital as set out in paragraph 15 of the report and detailed above;

·        Recommend that the Executive considers the trust’s request for £250k of prudential borrowing in order to fund the balance of the Hospitium scheme.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To fulfil the Council’s role under the Partnership Delivery Plan.