Councillor Farmer

Minutes 49/07 - Golf Provision Review - Personal interest as a user of Meole Brace Golf Course.

49/07

GOLF PROVISION REVIEW

The Chairman of the Golf Provision Task and Finish Group presented the Working Group’s update report to the Committee. He confirmed that work was ongoing on all the requirements bestowed on the Group within the Terms of Reference and advised that work was also being undertaken to assist in the promotion and marketing of the facility.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure reported on the importance of providing the best facility possible for the people of the borough and that in the future that could include the relocation of the existing site. Councillor Armstrong advised members that the usage of all golf courses within the County had declined and that it was more important than ever to introduce new people to the sport in addition to retaining the current users.

The Deputy Chief Executive reported on the issues surrounding the location of the course and commented that any relocation was unlikely to happen in the short term. The Council would therefore be working towards improving the current facilities. Mr Morgan advised the Committee that there were areas to be addressed in relation to improving the facility so that it became a revenue contributor to the Council.. It was noted that the pricing structure needed to be affordable and accessible to all members of the community.

A Member raised concern over the apparent down turn in attendance suggesting that this might be due to the public’s uncertainty about future of the facility. Members were in agreement about the importance of promoting, improving and retaining Meole Brace Golf Course and the green space associated with the facility.

The Portfolio Holder requested members to keep an open mind and look at improvements in the sport and not just the site location.

1. That the Task and Finish Group be request to note the views of the Overview Committee that the Municipal Golf Course should continue to be provided on the existing course at Meole Brace and that a plan for golf should be developed around this provision to best meet the future needs of the residents of the Borough and the principles of a municipal facility.

2. That the Task and Finish Group be requested to give due regard to Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) 17 when reaching their final recommendation for submission to the Committee in January 2008.

Deputy Chief Executive

Deputy Chief Executive

51/07

CCTV REVIEW

The Chairman of the CCTV Review Task and Finish Group presented the Working Group’s final report and recommendations to the Committee. He confirmed that the Group had completed all the requirements bestowed on the Group within the Terms of Reference.

Councillor Roberts advised members that the Group had considered three funding options, namely:

• Full funding provided by the Borough Council;

• Partnership Joint funding; or

• Private sector funding.

It was reported that joint partnership funding with appropriate authorities had been deemed the most appropriate way forward. It was noted that during discussions with the Police Authority an agreement had been reached to provide volunteer CCTV operators to work alongside Borough Council staff at the monitoring centre.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety advised members that there were interesting proposals in the pipeline and that further work was being undertaken to help secure contracts within the private sector. Councillor Ms Wild raised concern over the lack of financial support from West Mercia Police, but the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy) advised that the Council had a statutory duty to provide information relating to crime and disorder recorded through the CCTV system.

A member raised concern that the service was not selling itself to potential external partners. The Portfolio Holder responded by advising members that once they had secured contracts that were currently being progressed, it was the intention of the CCTV service to undertake press coverage to promote the services provided.

That the following recommendations be made to Cabinet:

1. That CCTV be delivered as a 24/7 service by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council in partnership with Shropshire County Council and West Mercia Police, through the use of Council employees and Police volunteers.

2. That the Council continues to explore opportunities for income generation through the provision of contracted CCTV monitoring services with the public and private sector.

3. That a scale of charges be introduced for the provision of CCTV services to non partner organisations.

4. That the CCTV public space surveillance system be extended to cover the following locations to be funded from existing allocated resources:

1. Coleham Head/Greyfriars Footbridge;

2. Frankwell Quay; and

3. Upton Lane.

1. That Council be requested to identify additional £20,000 capital to provide CCTV coverage in St Alkmunds Square.

2. That Shropshire County Council be advised of the potential revenue shortfall in the service from 2009/2010.

Committee Services Officer

50/07

RESPONSES FROM CABINET - 12^TH NOVEMBER 2007

Consideration was given to the responses from Cabinet held on 12^th November 2007:

(a) Minute 177/07 Concessionary Travel

That the Cabinet decision be noted.

52/07

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY JOINT WORKING ON LEISURE SERVICES

The Chairman updated members on the progress of the Overview and Scrutiny Joint Working Group on Leisure. The Committee was advised that members had been invited to attend an officer working group which was undertaking a detailed review of Leisure Services.

That Councillors Mrs Brennand, Mrs Chebsey and Mrs Parsons be appointed to serve on the Officer Work Group.

Assistant Chief Executive (Policy)

53/07

INTERIM FEEDBACK FROM WORKING GROUPS

Swimming Facilities Provision - Councillor Mrs Brennand, Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, advised the Committee that a meeting had yet to be arranged.

Affordable Housing - Councillor Durnell, Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, advised that the Group was looking at the level of affordable housing required for developments. It was noted that various schemes had been considered and that concentration was now being give to a scheme which utilised a sliding scale for affordable housing contributions on housing developments.

Town Centre Parking and Enforcement - Councillor Mrs Owen, Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, reported that they had provided input into the scale of car parking charges and Park and Ride charges considered by Cabinet. The intention of the Council was to raise the charges for car parks to encourage use of out of town parking provision as well as park and ride facilities.

A Member raised concern about the impact that moving parking provision out of town would have on the peripheral areas.

Hydro-electric Power Review - Councillor Barker, Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, advised that no further progress had been made.

Revenue and Capital Budget Review - Councillor Durnell, Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, advised that two meetings had been held with the Head of Finance which had led to some interesting debate. It was noted that there was nothing contentious in the forthcoming budget proposals and that the Group would have several opportunities to put their views across to Cabinet in the coming months.

The Assistant Chief Executive advised members that if a decision on Capital spend over £100,000 was deferred until after the implementation orders were in place then the decision making process would be taken away from the Borough Council and instead made by the Secretary of State and the Implementation Executive.

1. That the following recommendations be made to Cabinet:

9. That the recommendations of Cabinet on the 12^th November 2007 be noted at this time. However, this Committee also wished for the detailed reports relating to each of the schemes to be placed before this Committee.

2. That in respect of the Darwin Bicentenary Celebrations the views of the Joint Implementation Board be sought before proceeding to spend any monies at any stage.

1. That in relation to the Revenue Budget for 2008/2009 the Task and Finish Group be authorised to meet further with the Head of Finance to enable a platform to be established for providing feedback to Cabinet and the Head of Finance be requested to advise Cabinet of such views.

Committee Services Officer

54/07

WORK PROGRAMME

Further to Minute 47/07, an updated 2007/2008 Work Programme was submitted for consideration.

That subject to the following adjustment, the updated Work Programme be approved:

1. That the Golf Provision Task and Finish Group report back to Overview Committee on 24^th January 2008.

Committee Services Officer

55/07

FORWARD PLAN

Consideration was given to the Forward Plan for the period 1^st November 2007 to 29^th February 2008 outlining proposed future policy and budget developments.

That the Forward Plan be noted.