Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any matter on the Agenda or within the remit of the Sub-Committee.

None.

Of the meeting held on 11^th July 2017 to be approved and signed.

With reference to minute 3, a reminder request was made to circulate the brief for the One Town Review to all Sub-Committee Members, when available.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th July 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

That the Council approve the Fees & Charges submitted by Freedom Leisure for 2018 (covering the period 1^st January to 31^st December 2018 inclusive) and relating to Perdiswell Leisure Centre, St Johns Sports Centre, Nunnery Wood Sports Complex and Active Communities Worcester (formerly the Sport, Art & Play Development Service).

The Sub-Committee considered proposed Fees & Charges submitted by Freedom Leisure for the period 1^st January to 31^st December 2018 inclusive.

The proposal from Freedom Leisure was that the majority of fees and charges would be increased by approximately 2%.  The report highlighted those fees and charges that fell outside of this, and the rationale provided for the increases above 2%.

In the ensuing discussion, the proposed mitigation for the increase in teenage swimming charges for those aged 13 – 16 years during the Summer holidays was highlighted. Members expressed support for the both this and the remainder of the proposals.  A number of requests were made for additional information, as follows:

·           Members asked if Freedom Leisure could monitor usage by the 13-16 age group and that a report back to Communities Committee be made in due course.

·           Members asked for information on how Freedom Leisure promote the various membership packages.

·           Members asked for information on how the charges for gymnastics compare with other providers in the city.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee agree to recommend the Council to approve the Fees & Charges submitted by Freedom Leisure for 2018 (covering the period 1^st January to 31^st December 2018 inclusive) and relating to Perdiswell Leisure Centre, St Johns Sports Centre, Nunnery Wood Sports Complex and Active Communities Worcester (formerly the Sport, Art & Play Development Service).

That the Sub-Committee note the income achieved in 2016/17 and from April to August 2017.

The Sub-Committee received an update on the Council’s income achieved in the year, including income from Fees and Charges for 2016/17 and for Quarter 1 2017/18. The main elements of Fees and Charges income for July and August 2017 were also summarised.

In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were made:

·      Environment Committee had established a Task and Finish Group to consider Recycling Issues, and the Group would be reporting back to the October meeting of that Committee.

·      The future frequency for presenting income updates was discussed.  It was concluded that these should be quarterly reports by exception.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee note the income achieved in 2016/17 and from April to August 2017.

1.     That the Sub-Committee note the progress made on the Small Projects for which funding was approved from the Council’s Small Projects Fund and approve for inclusion in the programme one additional project deferred from the previous meeting; and

2.     That the balance of the balance of the fund is transferred to the City Plan Development Fund.

At the meeting of the Sub-Committee on 11^th July 2017 a total of £203,200 was allocated to ten different projects from the Small Projects Fund.  A further two projects were deferred pending further development of the proposals:

•        Communities Project

•        Targeted Travel Plan

The Sub-Committee considered a proposal to approve the Communities Project, subject to further feasibility work. Members agreed to fund this project, on the basis that Officers will seek to establish whether there is an external organisation that can undertake the work.

Members agreed with the Officers’ conclusion that the Targeted Travel Plan project fell within the remit of the County Council as Transport Authority and did not form part of the core work of the City Council. Therefore no funding was awarded for this project.

A number of additional points were made:

·           Members noted the progress on projects that were approved in July and requested an annual update going forward.

·           Members asked if it could be clarified with the original proposer whether item 9 is intended to cover an “Arts Strategy” or “Public Art Policy and Strategy.”

·           Members expressed support for the transfer of the balance of the fund - £21,800 - to the City Plan Development Fund.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee:

1.    note the progress made on the Small Projects for which funding was approved from the Council’s Small Projects Fund;

2.    approve for inclusion in the programme the Communities Project that was deferred from the previous meeting; and

3.    agree that the balance of the fund is transferred to the City Plan Development Fund.

That the Sub-Committee note the progress made in identifying projects for increased income generation for the Council.

The Sub-Committee received a report on progress since the last meeting.

In summary, some of the small projects for which funding had been approved had the potential to generate a future income stream.  Larger projects would require the development of a core investment strategy.  Proposals for local investments had begun to be considered as part of discussions with potential partner organisations but these too would need to be placed within an investment strategy.  The process for recruiting an Income Generation Officer has been put in place with the intention of recruiting to the post by the end of October.

A list of current projects that represented income generation opportunities was included in a confidential annex to the report.

In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were made:

·           The Income Generation Officer will track and monitor progress on all projects.

·           A report on Energy Saving at the Guildhall will be presented to the November Policy & Resources Committee.

·           The Task and Finish Group held an initial meeting on 9^th October and it was agreed that the Group should meet again in approximately 6 weeks’ time.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee note the progress made in identifying projects for increased income generation for the Council.

Which in the opinion of the Chairman is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

None.

The Sub-Committee is invited to pass the following resolution:-

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act.

To note a list of current projects that represent income generation opportunities.

The Sub-Committee noted list of current projects that represent income generation opportunities.