Agenda item

The Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion and the Chair of York@Large will be in attendance to report on forthcoming priorities.

Members received an update from the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion on the work taking place within his remit.  The Chair asked him to provide information on long term strategic plans and to specifically address the issues below which had been put forward by Members. The Executive Member and Assistant Director (Leisure and Culture) provided the following information.

University of York Pool 

A meeting had taken place with representatives from the University to look at ways to address the funding gap which was approx £4m and different options were discussed including the availability of external funding, talking to private sector partners and looking at alternative governance structures, such as a joint venture, which could open up other types of borrowing.

Barbican

With regard to the process and timescales set out for applications to buy and develop the Barbican, they advised that the deadline for receipt of pre- qualification questionnaires was 17 February 2010, after which 6 parties would be selected who would have a further 6 weeks to elaborate on the proposals, following which 2 parties would be invited formally to tender. The benefits of this process to the Council are that it should attract more interest due to less financial risk being involved in the early stages and proposals could be adapted through discussion with parties throughout the process. ¹

Ice Factor

With regard to securing a site for future years, Members were advised that discussions had taken place with the operator who had made it clear that he required a city centre site in a prime location with a historic backdrop and good footfall. Members discussed financial issues around the Ice Factor and briefly looked at potential sites and risks associated with those sites such as flooding. They noted that all other outdoor ice rinks in the country received some public subsidy. 

Events Protocol

The Committee expressed their interest in carrying out a scrutiny review of the Council’s current policy and requested a briefing paper on this be brought to their next meeting. ²

2012 Olympics

It was reported that the City of York Council, in conjunction with Active York, the city’s sport and Active Leisure Partnership, was driving forward York’s involvement in the Olympics. Partners include York St John University, who will be hosting a delegation of athletes from the Gambia, supported by Yorkshire Forward. Sports facilities in York include a sports stadium, York Community and Gymnastics Foundation and facilities provided by the University of York, York St John University (Sports Science) and York College. ^{3, 4}

Social Inclusion

With regard to a query on whether the Council is doing enough to improve accessibility (including physical access and access to information) and so increase the rating in the area of Social Inclusion across all strands in York, the following positive examples were cited:- the new Council Headquarters; Changing Places toilets; improvements to the Council’s website and intranet; the YorOK website and the award of green flag status for work with disabled children. Members were also advised that the Valuing People Partnership Board had set up a task group and Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) were being undertaken.

The Chair welcomed the Chair of York@Large one of the Without Walls partners, to the meeting. She explained that York@Large is the council’s Cultural Strategic Partner, comprising 11 Members who represent cultural and sporting organisations across the city. She detailed their aims and objectives and explained that as they receive no funding, their remit is largely advisory. With input from the Assistant Director (Leisure and Culture) she answered Members queries in relation to specific issues, including the cultural quarter and City Festivals and made the following points:-

·        many of the strands being pursued are in relation to sport – not able to strongly support culture as there is no LA indicator on culture.

·        membership broadly covers all cultural sectors with the exception of heritage

·        membership is reviewed on an annual basis

·        workplan is being updated with objectives being revisited in light of new strategic plan ⁵

·        York @ Large has annual plan but needs a 3-5 year plan

·        Current issues - Lack of clear vision and purpose on what York @ Large is trying to achieve, lack of fit to LA indicators, and issues around its fit with the Community Strategy and the Council’s Corporate Strategy

·        Active York is a subgroup of York@Large – feeds into Without Walls but only one sports representative therefore unbalanced. More support needed if sport is to remain with York at Large.

·        Hope is to bring more sporting events to Yorkshire with support from Visit York and individual partners.

The Chair thanked the Chair of York@Large for attending the meeting.

RESOLVED: (i) That the update from the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion be noted.

                                    (ii)        That the update from the Chair of York@Large be noted.

REASON:                  (i)         In order that the Committee is kept informed on work within the remit of the Executive Member and so that Members can made a contribution to this portfolio area.

                                    (ii)        In order that the Committee is kept informed on work with the remit of York@Large.