Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

Purpose of report

To seek approval for changes to the fees and charges levied for the use of Parks, Recreation and Seafront facilities for 2018-19.

RECOMMENDED

(1)  That the fees and charges be approved in accordance with the attached schedules (Appendix 1 - Schedule A).         

(2)  That the Cabinet Member agrees for an introduction of mid-season charges for the weekly beach huts to maximise income and adapt to customer demand.

(3)  That the Cabinet Member agrees for the introduction of amenities charges for tables and chairs on the promenade in accordance with the provisions of the Highways Act sections 115A-115G to be incorporated into the existing Amenities Policy or otherwise implemented in accordance with a similar scheme.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

Claire Looney, Partnership & Commissioning Manager tabled a slight change to recommendation 2.2.3.  She explained that since the report had been published officers had been in discussions with the legal and licensing teams about the ability to charge for tables and chairs on the promenade and the current Colas contract had also been extensively reviewed.  The Culture, Leisure and Sport Cabinet member does not have the power to set charges for amenities on highways as this is covered under the licensing committee powers but as the promenade falls outside of this it has been a complex issue to resolve. 

Therefore officers were proposing to amend recommendation 2.2.3 to read 'that the Cabinet member agrees for the introduction of amenities charges for tables and chairs on the promenade by negotiation with individual businesses'. 

The report was introduced by Josie Dalling, Business Support Manager and Adrian Rozier, Service Manager - Parks and Open Spaces. 

The Cabinet Member was very happy with the report and was happy to agree the amended recommendation in 2.2.3. 

DECISIONS:

(1)  The fees and charges were approved in accordance with the attached schedules (revised Appendix 1 - Schedule A).

(2)  The Cabinet Member agreed for an introduction of mid-season charges for the weekly beach huts to maximise income and adapt to customer demand.

(3)  The Cabinet Member agreed for the introduction of amenities charges for tables and chairs on the promenade by negotiation with individual businesses.

Purpose of report

This report provides a summary of the priorities, risks, key performance indicators and vision of Culture and City Support in Portsmouth City Council.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Culture Leisure and Sport approves the key priorities and targets set in the business plan.

(TAKE IN REPORT AND APPENDIX)

The report was introduced by Josie Dalling, Business Support Manager.  She explained that the title of the directorate has changed from Culture and City Development to Culture and City Support to reflect the new regulatory services that have been introduced to the directorate. The title of the directorate is subject to agreement by the Leader and other portfolio holders so this is a working title to reflect the new service content in the business plan until the directorate name is agreed.  The recommendation would be amended to reflect this. 

Ms Dalling further explained that she had added on the second page of the plan the list of services within the directorate.  This could be increased in size and put onto A3 however this would then need to be added as an appendix.  The Cabinet Member felt it was sensible for this to remain at the front for ease of reference. Ms Dalling went on to explain that she had included at the back of the plan a list of the key risks and officers were looking at a piece of work linked to risks linked to funding bids. 

Councillor Symes as Cabinet Member felt that the business plan needed to be a useful document and not contain too much information included so people do not read it. 

Councillor Morgan commended officers for their work on the plan and said he liked the addition of the plan on a page.   In response to a question about risks, Mrs Dalling said that it was difficult to say what the key risk was as there are such an array of services with culture and regulatory services.  It was felt that perhaps the biggest risk is that there are so many ambitions and commitments of the service it was hoped that there are enough resources to deliver.

DECISION: The cabinet member approved the key priorities and targets as set out in the business plan and noted that the title of the service is subject to agreement by other portfolio holders and is a working title to reflect the new service until the directorate name is agreed.

Purpose of report

To seek endorsement for submission of a Round 1 bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for Victoria Park and seek to secure the required match funding should the bid be successful.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member endorses the submission of a Round 1 application and instructs officers to secure match funding through the city council's Capital Bid process.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Adrian Rozier, Service Manager - Parks and Open Spaces.  He added that the Heritage Lottery Fund had withdrawn the Parks for People Programme last week without notice which was a slight concern, however there is still a funding stream available.  In light of this announcement, officers were proposing to amend the application slightly before submitting the application. 

Councillor Symes as Cabinet member said that nothing had been agreed by the council in terms of changes to the park and that a full consultation would take place. 

Councillor Morgan said he supported using CIL for a community project when appropriate and felt it was important this was a project carried out with the community.

Councillor Pitt referred to the earlier consultation that took place on the park and said this should be published to help make the public understand the process. 

In response to a question from councillor Pitt, Mr Rozier said he did not know whether the works to the Lodge would be a threat to this bid but if the council get to the development phase they would need to get a designated team involved and would also need to complete a conservation plan.  Councillor Symes added that that this would be in the remit of the Planning, Regeneration and Economic Development (PRED) portfolio. 

The Cabinet said she was very happy with this proposal. 

DECISION: the Cabinet Member endorsed the submission of a round 1 application and instructed officers to secure match funding though the city council's capital bid process.

Purpose

To update the Cabinet Member on the success of the 2017 Summer Reading Challenge, including participation statistics.

(TAKE IN INFORMATION REPORT)

The report was introduced by David Percival, Outreach and School Library Service Manager.  He explained that nearly 735,000 children took part nationally this year in the Summer Reading Challenge.  Portsmouth has had its highest number this year with just over 1,600 children completing the challenge and 3,000 children signing up.  This reflects the national trend.  

In response to a question from Councillor Symes, Mr Percival advised that feedback from schools has generally been anecdotal.  There is an issue nationally regarding evidence base of the challenge and this will be developed over the next few years.

In response to a question from Councillor Morgan, Mr Percival said the Reading Challenge is a universal offer and there were only three primary schools they did not get into this year.  Participants come from all over city to be at the winners' event.  The council does collate equalities information and there are high participation rates among the BME groups in the city.

The Cabinet Member and opposition spokespeople commended Mr Percival and his team for the successful event and were positive that the event would continue to grow next year.

The Cabinet Member noted the report.

Purpose of report

To update Members on the Transforming the D-Day Museum (TDDM) project and associated activity.

(TAKE IN INFORMATION REPORT)

The report was introduced by Jane Mee, Museums & Visitor Service Manager.

The Cabinet Member said the project had gone very well and had kept to time where possible.

In response to a question from Councillor Morgan regarding the funding shortfall and anything that members could do, Dr Mee said that the responsibility for funding is with the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust.  Officers were hopeful of some significant funding coming in but this has yet to materialise.  Dr Mee added that they needed to start looking at the funding for the activity plan elements but felt that there is still time to achieve the remaining funding.   

The Cabinet Member added that it was likely the relatively small amount of money remaining would be received in small amounts, however was confident that the Trust will do their best to ensure that final amount of money comes in and thanked Councillor Morgan for his offer of assistance.  

The Cabinet Member noted the report. 

Purpose of report

To update the Cabinet Member on the success of the introduction of pocket Urban Meadows across Portsmouth in 2017.

(TAKE IN INFORMATION REPORT)

The report was introduced by Adrian Rozier, Service Manager - Parks and Open Spaces.

The Cabinet Member said this was another fantastic project and the roadside verges in Queen Street in particular looked fantastic.  Councillor Symes added that she hoped that there would be more sponsorship enquiries once people or businesses were aware they could sponsor the verges.

The Cabinet Member noted the report.