Agenda item

Discussion:

The Chairman welcomed the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services and pointed out to the Committee that the heading in paragraph 2 of his report should read Achievements 2014/2015.

Members then received an overview of progress on the areas within the terms of reference of this Committee and covered by the Portfolio Holder for Community Services as set out below:

·         Events and Festivals

·         Greenspaces

·         Heritage

·         Leisure services

·         Libraries and Community Hubs

·         Sporting Legacy

·         Theatres and arts

·         Tourism

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, responded to Members’ questions and commented as follows:

·         Twydall Library – Responding to a question,  the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services stated that he had spoken to the Leader about the scheme for Twydall Library and would proceed as soon as the finance was cleared and available.  In relation to money from the budget being spent in Strood he stated that this was not part of his remit and was a matter which the Deputy Leader and  Portfolio Holder for Finance would need to respond to.

·         Play area improvements – A Member referred to the condition of some play areas in Medway and questioned whether the replacements were like for like.  The Portfolio Holder for Community Services stated that two thirds of the play areas had been improved and confirmed that there was a rolling programme of improvements.  There was also a full audit of these improvements as part of the evidence gathered for the new local planning framework..  In relation to comments about vandalism at Balmoral Gardens he stated that he would discuss the matter with the Health Centre staff to see if they had any CCTV footage of the vandalism taking place.  Following a request, an undertaking was given to share with the Committee the rolling programme of improvements of play areas.

·         Tourism Bus – Further to a question about the success of the Tourism Bus the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services confirmed the Dickens Country Experience Bus Tour trial had been even more successful than anticipated with 80% take up.  Discussions were taking place about the possibility of progressing coach tours out of London given the interest in the Dickens Country bus.  Confirmation was also given, by the Deputy Director, Customer Contact, Leisure, Culture, Democracy and Governance that the Dickens Country bus does take in the Peninsula.

·         Stirling Centre – The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, responding to a question as to the development of the Stirling Centre, stated that the partnership with Kings School Rochester to develop a tennis centre had been very successful and should produce quality tennis players in Medway.

·         Christmas Dickens – A Member stated that 268 coaches had come to Medway for the Christmas Dickens event and congratulated the Portfolio Holder on the number of successful events held in Medway.

·         Dickens Chalet – The Portfolio Holder forHousing and Community Services, following a question, stated that the Council was working with the Dickens Fellowship around plans for refurbishment of the Dickens Chalet and Gardens.  However, the plans were costly and would need to wait until sufficient funds were available. The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services undertook to arrange a visit for the Committee to see the planned improvements to Eastgate House, the Gardens and Dickens Chalet at a suitable point.  Members also requested a presentation of the plans prior to the visit.

·         Guildhall Museum staff and staff at Eastgate House – tribute was paid to the Guildhall Museum and Eastgate staff and it was stated that there was now a ‘Friends of the Guildhall’ group that had been formed.  The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services referenced plans to redevelop the Guildhall area.  He said that the visits to the Guildhall Museum were up by 41% on the previous year. 

·         Litter – responding to a query about litter being left at Cozenton Park and Splashes car park the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services stated that it was indeed difficult to keep on top of the litter problem but it was indicative of the fact that it was a very successful area, used at all hours of the day.

Decision:

(a)  The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services was thanked for his presentation and for responding to Members’ questions;

(b)  A briefing note was requested in relation to the rolling programme for play area improvements;

(c)  A visit for the Committee to be able to see the planned improvements to Eastgate House, the Dickens Chalet and Gardens will be arranged at a suitable point.