Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Councillor Udy declared a personal, non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 3,as a customer of BH Live.

Purpose

To provide the cabinet member with an update on the progress made towards securing the future provision of a new swimming pool in the south east of the city.

This will likely either be by rebuilding Eastney Swimming Pool, or re-providing a pool nearby.

To provide the cabinet member with an update on the outcome of the structural survey of Eastney Swimming Pool, and of the structural assessment at Wimbledon Park Sports Centre.

To provide the cabinet member with an update on an options appraisal which identifies Bransbury Park as a potential location of a new facility as an alternative to the option to rebuild Eastney Swimming Pool on its existing site.

Recommendations

1.    That officers widen the scope of the £100,000 capital allocation which originally was for 'feasibility and outline planning for a new Eastney swimming pool'. Instead, the scope will be 'feasibility and outline planning for the continued provision of a swimming pool and dry-side sports offer in south east Portsmouth'. There will be several options to consider to achieve this, including re-building facilities on the existing sites of Wimbledon Park Sports Centre and Eastney Swimming Pool, but also the building a new combined pool and sports centre. The combined pool and sports centre could be on the site of the existing Eastney Community Centre at Bransbury Park (this would include a new community centre), or it could be on another site in the south east of the city if an alternative is found.

2.    That officers report back to the Cabinet Member by mid-January 2021 with a full options appraisal having consulted with existing users of both Eastney Swimming Pool and Wimbledon Park Sports Centre as well as the wider community.

3.    That the council's administration looks to find funding for the provision of a new pool and sports centre to be included in the 2021/22 capital budget in February 2021.

David Moorman, Strategic Development Manager introduced the report.  He added that engagement to the consultation had been high with 1500-1600 participants responding in the first month.  The consultation closes on 13 December 2020.  It was intended that a full options appraisal report would be brought to the next Culture, Leisure and Economic Development meeting on 5 February 2021. 

Councillor Graham Heaney had requested to make a deputation as ward councillor for St Jude and Councillor Pitt invited him to speak.  Deputations are not included in the minutes but can be viewed on the livestream on the following link

Culture, Leisure and Economic Development, 11 December 2020 on Livestream

Councillor Heaney had a number of questions regarding the future of Wimbledon Park Sports Centre site and future consultation.  He felt that it was important to have a process where all the ward councillors and members of the public are involved.

In response to this David Moorman said that if there is to be a new leisure centre there needs to be a way of paying for it and Wimbledon Park Sports Centre is regarded as a potential valuable asset.  Officers had been giving some thought as to what might go on the site but it is currently very early in the process. He believed there was the opportunity for consultation on sites and would check this with colleagues. 

Councillor Pitt said that it was currently very early on in the process and officers do not know the outcome of the consultation.  All of the key stakeholders had been identified and spoken to and he would like to do a larger community consultation around the area affected.  Councillors and the public will be fully engaged and as soon as the outcome of the consultation is known Councillor Pitt and officers will start looking at the next steps.  He thanked Councillor Heaney and said that his views would be most welcomed. 

In response to questions from the opposition members the following points were clarified:

·         David Moorman had been in contact with the badminton club and Hampshire Badminton who were concerned that it would represent the loss of a facility.  However officers do not yet know what the outcome of the consultation which will have the answers as to which way to go forward with the clubs.  If there are any changes proposed officers would then speak to existing users of both sites to understand their needs. Sports England would also need to see engagement with the local community to establish the need in order to fund new facilities.

·         BH Live are engaged with the British Bangladeshi community who use the Wimbledon Park Sports Centre.

·         The opportunity at Bransbury Park will be to use the site of the existing buildings and potentially some of the sports courts but to retain a multi-use games area and artificial sports pitch.  The miniature railway would not move and the children's play area would remain, but may need to be redesigned. Councillor Pitt's preferred option would be to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Purpose

To update on Visit Portsmouth activity during the period 1 April 2020 to date and plans for tourism recovery to 2022.

Recommendations

1.    Agree the Visit Portsmouth Tourism Marketing Communications Plan 2021-2022.

2.    Note achievements by the Visit Portsmouth team in 2020.

The report was introduced by Jane Singh, Visitor Services and Development Manager.

In response to a question she explained that lots of businesses have found it very difficult due to COVID.  They have had some support from government and some had taken on grants and loans but things were still difficult.  There will still be a struggle through next year and it was important to ensure the authority can support the local tourism businesses in the city.

Councillor Morgan said the LEP are looking at a greater focus on tourism and he was lobbying to get the best opportunity on what that presents.  Councillor Pitt thanked Councillor Morgan and said he was lobbying as well as this was very important.

Members thanked Jane for her report and wishes her luck for next year.  

DECISIONS:

(1) Agreed the Visit Portsmouth Tourism Marketing Communications Plan 2021-2022.

(2) Achievements by the Visit Portsmouth team in 2020 were noted.

Purpose

To inform the Cabinet Member on outcomes of the trial installation of recycling bin provision across Southsea Seafront open spaces using the allocated Capital funding.

Recommendations

1.    That the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development notes the initial findings and approves the trial continues for a further year, following which a further report to be presented on the outcomes.

2.    That officers are instructed to use the remaining Capital funding provision to install further recycling provision and seek other sources of funding for installation citywide.

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

Councillor Pitt added that he had met with Colas and discussed how to expand recycling provision across their areas and they were very enthusiastic about this.  He was waiting for a response back regarding setting up a trial area along Southsea Seafront promenade between Clarence Pier and Blue Reef Aquarium.   

Members were fully in support of these proposals and said it would be interesting to see what the recycling take up is like at the Bandstand once events start up again.   Members were impressed with the high take up of recycling and hoped that some recycling bins could eventually be installed in Commercial Road.

DECISIONS:

(1) The Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development noted the initial findings and agreed the trial continues for a further year, following which a further report to be presented on the outcomes.

(2) That officers are instructed to use the remaining Capital funding provision to install further recycling provision and seek other sources of funding for installation citywide.

Purpose

To update the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development on the extensive work and activity which has been undertaken by Portsmouth Creates following their securing additional funding and to outline the monitoring of this work which has been put in place.

Recommendations

1.    That the work undertaken by Portsmouth Creates during the on-going pandemic be recognised as very significant in supporting the breadth and diversity of the creative industries across the city in these unprecedented times. 

2.    That the proposed Service Level Agreement is adapted to recognise that the  deliverables for the organisation have had to change in light of the pandemic circumstances.

The report was introduced by Claire Looney, Partnership and Commissioning Manager. Councillor Pitt added that they now have a staff member to support them who started a few weeks ago and who was seconded from Arts Council South East for the next year. 

In response to a question she explained that officers are talking to Arts Council England who are one of the other primary funders and they are both looking at detailed measures and the longer term impact to support the cultural infrastructure as well as the individuals.  As they are such a new organisation officers do not want to make the measurement process too onerous but they need to be accountable for the money that the authority have provided to them.  Officers hoped to have a SLA in place in January. 

Councillor Pitt said that even without a SLA Portsmouth Creates had managed to achieve a great deal.  He wished to put on record the Council's thanks to Tim Rusby, Pippa Bostock, Paul Gonella and Terri Hall as the Portsmouth Creates Trustees for their work over the last few months.  He asked Claire to write a formal letter of thanks to the trustees.

Members thanked Portsmouth Creates for what they have done this year under challenging circumstances.

DECISIONS:

(1) That the work undertaken by Portsmouth Creates during the on-going pandemic be recognised as very significant in supporting the breadth and diversity of the creative industries across the city in these unprecedented times.

(2) That the proposed Service Level Agreement is adapted to recognise that the deliverables for the organisation have had to change in light of the pandemic circumstances.

Purpose

To update the Cabinet Member on activities at the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre during 2020.

The report was introduced by David Evans, Leisure and Sports Facility Manager. 

Members were keen that children are given the opportunity to use the Watersports Centre.  They were also pleased to see the centre is looking to become more energy efficient as they are in an ideal position to consider renewable energy sources.

David Evans said that the centre would like to arrange an open day for members to try out some of the activities as soon as restrictions are lifted.

Councillor Pitt added that the internal décor is to be completed in the next year and will be completed under the landlord maintenance programme. 

Members thanked David for the report and also gave their thanks to the Sports Council members for their ongoing commitment.

The Cabinet Member noted the report.

Purpose

To provide an overview of the Reviving Victoria Park project including the purpose, project team recruitment, consultants engaged, progress to date and details of public consultation taken and planned.

(Councillor Morgan had to leave the meeting at this point for another appointment)

The report was introduced by Laura Young, Victoria Park Project Manager. She added that the online survey ended on 18 December and there had been a very good response to date.

In response to questions Laura clarified the following points:

·         As well as the online survey there were also some workshops running next week.  Next year there will be a number of consultations by the activity team including workshops, telephone interviews and focus groups.  The consultation will make some changes which will be taken back to the community to see if they meet the needs.  That will culminate in the spring next year when it is hoped that an open day can take place to present some options to the public.

·         Toilets will be included in the design as this has been raised a number of times in the consultation.  This will enable young families to stay in the park for a meaningful amount of time.

·         Officers want the park to be a community hub space so it is feasible that Wi-Fi could be provided as part of the hub.

·         The intention is to get local families using the park but officers have had feedback that the provision for younger children is not very good, so officers will explore options for improving that.

·         There will be some test events later next year to understand if the activity programme would entice people into the space. If the council is successful with the second application for funding there should be a decision by early 2022.  It was anticipated to break ground in autumn 2022 to start undertaking the changes presented to the public. 

·         There had currently been nearly 1,400 responses to the consultation.

Members thanked Laura for the huge amount of work she had already done with the project.

The Cabinet Member noted the report.

Purpose

To provide a brief summary of the on-going response to the COVID pandemic highlighting actions undertaken since the last report in July 2020 to support businesses and residents.

The report was introduced by Mark Pembleton, Economic Growth Manager and Jane Lamer, Business Manager Regeneration. 

Mark Pembleton said that the government has put further funding in place for starter loans and officers are helping businesses to look for these starter loans.  They are also working with Shaping Portsmouth to make the pop up business school a permanent feature for the city. It was hoped this would be in place next year. 

Jane Lamer updated members on the work and health programme which now had now supported 73 adults into employment since March 2020. With regard to the Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS) they had secured 15 jobs for unemployed adults since its commencement.  

In response to a question Jane said that the value of the Kickstart programme is that they become employees for 6 months on a 25 hour a week contract and are paid at least the National Minimum Wage.  Employers can then choose to take them on after the 6 months has ended.  Members were very happy to hear this.

Members thanked officers for the thorough report and all that they are doing to help local businesses and people considering all the difficulties this year.

The Cabinet Member noted the report.