Agenda item

This report presents the 2008/09 budget proposals for Leisure & Culture.  It includes:

·         The revenue budget for 2007/08 (Annex 1) to show the original budgets.

·         The base budget for 2008/09 including the 2007/08 budget rolled forward and adjusted.

·         The provisional allocation of pay and price increases for the portfolio.

·         Budget service pressure costs and savings proposals for the portfolio area (Annexes 2 and 3).

·         Fees and Charges proposals (Annex 4).

·         Other revenue budget options for consultation (Annex 5).

·         The existing approved capital programme (Annex 6).

·         Proposals for new capital schemes (Annex 7).

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Consider whether the budget proposals are in line with the Council’s priorities.

·        Comment on the budget proposals for savings and growth which have been prepared by Officers and are contained in the report, which are intended to form part of the Council’s budget to be considered on 12 February 2008.

·        Consider the budget proposal for consultation for Leisure and Culture for 2008/09 contained in the report.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  As part of the consultation on the Leisure and Culture Budget for 2008/09.

Members considered a report that presented them with the 2008/09 budget proposals for Leisure and Culture; this included:

• The revenue budget for 2007/08 to show the original budgets.
• The base budget for 2008/09 including the 2007/08 budget rolled forward and adjusted.
• The provisional allocation of pay and price increases for the portfolio.
• Budget service pressure costs and savings proposals for the portfolio area.
• Fees and Charges proposals.
• Other revenue budget options for consultation.
• The existing approved capital programme.
• Proposals for new capital schemes.

The Officer reported some amendments to Annex 4 of the report. The proposed charges for 2008/09 for Bowls (including reservation fee and woods) were now as follows:

·        Concession per hour                                          £1.60

·        Season ticket – adults                                        £66.00

·        Season ticket – concessions                            £30

·        Season ticket – concessions (half season)     £15

Members and Officers discussed the crèche facility at the Edmund Wilson Leisure Centre and it was suggested that the facility could be kept open for 16 hours providing a saving of £16,000. the price would be increased from 80p to £1.00 per 30 minute session. It was suggested that peak hours would be 9am to 1pm Monday to Thursday but it could be a flexible service. If this was to be the preferred option then full cost recovery from schools would have to be sought in relation to School Swimming Support to achieve a further saving of £2,000. The remaining £8,000 would come from an increased usage of Yearsley Pool.

Members made the following further comments:

·        All library staff & Archives staff would be effected if the proposed cuts were implemented

·        Users of the libraries & City Archive would be effected by the proposed cuts

The Labour Group reserved their position on the budget proposals.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Note the report.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  As part of the consultation on the Leisure and Culture Budget for 2008/09.