Agenda item

Members are asked to consider the information provided by the Cabinet Member, to inform their debate on the next agenda item.

 

The Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion attended the meeting and gave an update on her portfolio area which included:

 

Neighbourhood Management

The Cabinet Member confirmed she had undertaken the review of the Neighbourhood Management Unit and was actively working on providing Councillors with a clear channel to report any ward issues as currently Members had far too many options.  This new model would allow a more effective and efficient way of working by streamlining staff time and allowing Members to take the lead on any Ward issues and budget proposals.

In answer to Members questions it was confirmed that:

·        herself and Chief Officers were currently considering a new structure for the Neighbourhood Management Unit.

·        officers would be available to support Members when  considering different ways of engaging residents.

·        Members were currently receiving group briefing sessions on the new model and further sessions could be arranged if Members felt this was needed.

·        a handbook would be produced to support members to move the project forward.

·        details of future ward committee dates would be announced and delivered as an insert inside the Your Voice publication.

EFLG – Diversity and Inclusion

It was verified that EFLG stood for Equalities Framework Local Government.

Leisure and Culture

The Cabinet Member highlighted some activities she had been involved in such as:

·            Launching York 800 civic celebrations

·            The Queens visit

·            Mystery Plays in York Museum Gardens

·            Hamilton Panthers Football Club fundraising events for new facilities

·            City of Quilters Festival

·            Chocolate Festival

·            Holocaust  Memorial Day

·            Olympic Torch Relay

·            Illuminate York

·            York Wheel

·            Arts Development 2012 Conference

·            West Offices Art Work.

 

In answer to Members questions, they were informed that:

·               the Holocaust Memorial event stayed within the allocated budget.

·               officers would confirm how much the consultants and the artists had been paid for the art work in West Offices.¹

·               the Council would only contribute a minor budget to cover things such as barriers and stewards when the Olympic Torch was in York. The core costs were not funded by the Council.

·               Hamilton Panthers Football Club was still continuing to raise funds to either build a new or improve the current club house.

·               officers would confirm the budget that was set for the Queens visit and produce an estimate of costs the City gained from the visit.²

 

Cultural Collaboration – Blackpool

 

The Cabinet Member stated that around £15,000 worth of savings had been made as a result of the collaboration, and she would be meeting the Police and the social inclusion manager from Blackpool Council to investigate how they tackle hate crime.

 

Parks and Open Spaces

 

Members noted that improvements had been made to many parks and open spaces within the City and that £15,000 had been awarded to Bootham Allotments to allow new lots to be opened.

 

 

 

Libraries

Members were informed that:

·             the cafe’s at York and Acomb Explore Centres had been refurbished and takings were up by 25%

·             a reading cafe in Rowntrees Park would be open in the Summer.

·             free WI-FI was available in all libraries.

·             Acomb Explore Centre had received a ‘Good Place to Come’ award.

·             the Archive bid was on going and stage 2 would be starting soon.

 

In answer to Members questions it was confirmed that:

·          costs had been saved by the use of less relief staff and natural staff wastage in the library team.

·          officers would confirm what criteria the Explore Centre passed to be successful in achieving the ‘Good Place to Come’ award.³

 

After a brief discussion it was suggested that ‘Libraries in the Community’ would make a good Scrutiny topic.

 

Children and Young People

The Cabinet Member stated she had been working on delivering:

·          Local Democracy Sessions in schools.

·          The Shine Magazine.

·          The Open Change Champion Event alongside the Police.

·          The Local Government Chronicle award.

 

Reviews and Challenges

The Cabinet Member confirmed:

·          she had reviewed the York Theatre Royal’s Service Level Agreement (SLA) and had suggested to them that they focus  on engaging more older citizens.

·          she was currently reviewing the SLA’s for Visit York and the York Museums Trust.

·          she had been appointed to the Regional Arts Council.

·          the Community Stadium application would go to the Main Planning Committee  in May.

 

In answer to Members questions the Cabinet Member:

·          confirmed that both herself and the Leader were a member of the Visit York Board and would be working together on Tourism.

·          noted that the Literature Festival needed supporting and other smaller festivals in York had to keep progressing  to encourage further tourism.

·          verified she had read and took on board the comments and recommendations made in the Markets Scrutiny review and confirmed it was still an active project.

·          stated that at this stage, no plan B existed in regard to  the planning application for the proposed new Stadium at Monks Cross.

 

Members thanked the Cabinet Member for her update.

 

RESOLVED:  That the update be noted.

 

REASON:    To ensure that Members are kept informed of work within the remit of the Committee.