Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Julie Swan.

There were no declarations of interest.

 Purpose of report
to provide an update to the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport on the success of the shopping festival and put forward recommendations for the future. It was committed in the PRED briefing of Thursday 27 March to bring back a report to a future, post event, portfolio decision meeting. The paper includes an analysis of the event and improvements and plans for next year.

RECOMMENDED

(1)  That the event is repeated in 2015 but with the proposed changes of:

·         That the festival run for a shorter duration of 4 days from 18th to 21st September 2015.

·         That the timing of the festival should be linked to a partner event in the Guildhall square.

·         That the city centre managers support and promote the festival in their district shopping centres and run individual events.

·         That the festival is expanded to cover certain shopping areas including the North of the city.

(TAKE IN REPORT BY THE HEAD OF CITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL SERVICES)

The report was introduced by Jane Wilson, Destination Brand Manager.

DECISIONS the Cabinet member agreed that the event should be repeated in 2015 with the following changes:

·         That the festival run for a shorter duration of 4 days from 18th to

21st September 2015.

·         That the timing of the festival should be linked to a partner event in the Guildhall square.

·         That the city centre managers support and promote the festival in

their district shopping centres and run individual events.

·         That the festival is expanded to cover certain shopping areas

including the North of the city.

Purpose of report    

To review all library fines and charges levied by Portsmouth Library Service. This should ensure that charges cover the cost of service delivery and where practical are in line with those charged by neighbouring authorities.

RECOMMENDED

(1)  That the following charges should increase from 1^st April 2015 by the amounts indicated:

(2) That the following new charges be applied from 1^st April 2015 with the condition that the services reserves the right to refuse copy where the process would put the document at risk.

(3) That the following charges should remain unchanged for the year beginning 1^st April 2015 from those set for 1^st April 2014

(TAKE IN REPORT BY THE HEAD OF CITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL SERVICES)

Lindy Elliott, Library and Archives Services Manager introduced the report.


DECISIONS

(1)  That the following charges should increase from 1^st April 2015 by the amounts indicated:

(2)  That the following new charges be applied from 1^st April 2015 with the condition that the services reserves the right to refuse copy where the process would put the document at risk.

(3)  That the following charges should remain unchanged for the year beginning 1^st April 2015 from those set for 1^st April 2014

Purpose of report

To propose a number of changes and additions to the current Fees and Charges for Portsmouth Museums and Visitor Services from April 2015.  

RECOMMENDED

(1)  The increase in line with inflation to the Museum service’s admission fees plus amendments to the Leisure Card rate to meet the 40% agreed discount, as listed in Appendix 1, are agreed.

(2)  The 5% increase to the Museum venue hire charges as listed in Appendix 2 are agreed.

(3) The changes to charges for the hire of the Castle Keep, the D-Day Museum Dulverton Wing and new charges for spaces at Portsmouth Museums as listed in Appendix 2 are agreed.

(4) Wedding charges, including a year on year increase of 5%, as listed in Appendix 3 are agreed through to March 2018 to enable future bookings.

(5) The Museum Service will apply the same charges agreed for Archives for research fees, attaching images to a CD, photocopying and assisted photocopying, the daily photography permit and for photographic prints.

(6) Officers are able to offer a promotional discount for weddings and continue to test the potential of new income generating activities such as markets and specialist ‘master-classes’. Where such charges are applied Leisure Card holders will be offered a 40% reduction.      

(TAKE IN REPORT BY THE HEAD OF CITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL SERVICES)

Jane Singh, Visitor Services and Development Manager introduced the report.


DECISIONS that:

(1)   The increase in line with inflation to the Museum service’s admission fees plus amendments to the Leisure Card rate to meet the 40% agreed discount, as listed in Appendix 1, are agreed.

(2)   The 5% increase to the Museum venue hire charges as listed in Appendix 2 are agreed.

(3) The changes to charges for the hire of the Castle Keep, the D-Day Museum Dulverton Wing and new charges for spaces at Portsmouth Museums as listed in Appendix 2 are agreed.

(4) Wedding charges, including a year on year increase of 5%, as listed in Appendix 3 are agreed through to March 2018 to enable future bookings.

(5) The Museum Service will apply the same charges agreed for Archives for research fees, attaching images to a CD, photocopying and assisted photocopying, the daily photography permit and for photographic prints.

(6) Officers are able to offer a promotional discount for weddings and continue to test the potential of new income generating activities such as markets and specialist ‘master-classes’. Where such charges are applied Leisure Card holders will be offered a 40% reduction.      

            Purpose of report

            To inform the Cabinet Member of the results of the 2014 Summer Reading Challenge; the importance of encouraging children to read for pleasure; our growing engagement with young volunteers to support this initiative and to consider ways that pupil participation might be increased in the coming years.

            RECOMMENDED

            That the Library and Archive Service engage directly with schools, to explore how pupil participation in the Summer Reading Challenge can be increased.   This could include embedding it in school improvement plans; targeting those schools with lower levels of participation and specific year groups or pupils.

(TAKE IN REPORT BY THE HEAD OF CITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL SERVICES)

David Percival, Learning and Engagement Manager introduced the report. He introduced Annie Gunthorpe, Headteacher at Westover Primary School whose school had a high participation in the Summer Reading Challenge.   Mrs Gunthorpe explained the importance of the Summer Reading Challenge and some of the reasons why participation was so high in the school including the school being in close proximity to a library.  Mrs Gunthorpe said she was happy to assist officers where she was able with improving participation for next year's challenge and gave a few suggestions to improve the Challenge including:

·         Locate the mobile library near those schools that have a low participation in the Summer Reading Challenge.

·         Publicise the dates/times of the location of the mobile library to schools before the schools break up for the summer.

·         The increase of e books would remove the barriers for children to complete the Challenge.

·         Schools to have a suggested reading book for specific year groups.

·         Have a couple of texts where children are required to find a specific piece of information in the book which will encourage them to keep reading.

·         Promote the Summer Reading Challenge through the headteachers conference.

In response to a question about how to embed this into each schools improvement plan, it was felt that officers needed to target those schools with low participation.  Other avenues needed to be sought to reach parents to encourage them to support their children with the reading challenge. In response to a question regarding reasons why some schools have low participation rates, it was suggested that not being in close proximity to a library could be a reason.

Members felt the Summer Reading Challenge was an excellent idea and thanked Annie Gunthorpe for attending the meeting and her suggestions.


DECISION

That the Library and Archive Service engage directly with schools, to explore how pupil participation in the Summer Reading Challenge can be increased.  This will include embedding it in school improvement plans; targeting those schools with lower levels of participation and specific year groups or pupils.

Purpose of report

(1)  To present a review of the performance figures at Great Salterns Golf Course for the period April to September 2014 in order to gauge the effect of the new pricing policy (implemented in April 2014) by comparing this year's participation and income figures with previous years and with the golf market more widely.

(2)  To recommend golf charges for the 12 months from April 2015.

RECOMMENDED

(1)  That the Cabinet Member notes the effect of the new pricing policy on participation and income for 2014/15 and approves the continuation of this policy to encourage greater participation.

(2)  That approval is given for golf charges for 2015/16 at Great Salterns Golf Course as set out in the attached schedule.

(3)  That approval is given for putting back the start of the off-peak period from 2pm to 4pm April to September; and from 12 noon to 2pm October to March.

(4)  That approval is given to make adjustments to prices at any point in the year if it becomes apparent that income from golf charges declines further than would be expected, taking into account the overall decline in the current golf market.

(TAKE IN REPORT BY THE HEAD OF TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICE)

David Moorman, Parks Manager introduced the report.  In response to a question he advised that a letter would be sent in due course to the course professional thanking them for their advice and input into the review.

 DECISIONS:

(1) That the Cabinet Member notes the effect of the new pricing policy on participation and income for 2014/15 and approves the continuation of this policy to encourage greater participation.

 (2) That approval is given for golf charges for 2015/16 at Great Salterns Golf Course as set out in the attached schedule.

(3) That approval is given for putting back the start of the off-peak period from 2pm to 4pm April to September; and from 12 noon to 2pm October to March.

(4) That approval is given to make adjustments to prices at any point in the year if it becomes apparent that income from golf charges declines further than would be expected, taking into account the overall decline in the current golf market.

Purpose of Report

This report seeks to inform the Cabinet Member on Portsmouth Library Service's stock practice: the understanding and requirements behind the provision of stock in Portsmouth Libraries. Portsmouth Libraries follows a number of principles to inform stock selection, management and processes which are explained in sections 4-10.

(TAKE IN INFORMATION REPORT BY HEAD OF CITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL SERVICES)

The report was introduced by Clare Forsyth, Service Development Manager. She advised that the procurement process for the e books offer would start on 5 January 2015.  

The Cabinet Member noted the information report.  

Purpose of Report

To update the Cabinet Member on performance and progress made by the Portsmouth Mobile Library after the first two months of operation.

(TAKE IN INFORMATION REPORT BY HEAD OF CITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL SERVICES)

The report was introduced by David Percival, Learning and Engagement Manager. He advised that officers would continue to seek new locations for the mobile library and were reviewing the current timetable.  The ideas suggested with regard to the mobile library from Annie Gunthorpe would also be considered.

The Cabinet Member noted the information report.  

Purpose of Report

To update members on the progress of the Collaborative PhD project between Portsmouth City Council and the University of Portsmouth funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).  The project will run October 2013 to September 2016. 

(TAKE IN INFORMATION REPORT BY HEAD OF CITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL SERVICES)

The report was introduced by Jane Mee, Museums and Records Service Manager and she explained that Katharaine Brombley was unable to attend the meeting. 

Members felt that this was a great initiative. The Cabinet Member noted the information report.