Agenda item

This report sets out progress made within the areas covered by the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe which fall within the remit of this Committee.

Discussion:

 

Members received an overview of progress on the areas of work within the terms of reference of this Committee and covered by the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe as set out below:

 

·         Archives

·         Armed Forces Covenant

·         Events and Festivals

·         Greenspaces

·         Heritage

·         Leisure Services

·         Sporting Legacy

·         Theatres and Arts

·         Tourism

 

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

 

• Splashes Sports Centre – Clarification was sought as to the current position following the closure of the Splashes Sports Centre and in particular, whether the redevelopment of this facility would proceed as planned.

 

In response, the Portfolio Holder informed the Committee that the redevelopment of this facility remained a high priority project. However, whilst funding had been set aside for these works, detailed surveys indicated that more works were required than originally envisaged and therefore the project would take longer than anticipated. It was intended that when redeveloped, this facility would provide family friendly activities that would complement sessions held at other Medway sports centres.

 

He stated that whilst he was disappointed that the completion of the project would be delayed, work on the detailed designs would be undertaken in the Spring/Summer of 2021.

 

The Committee expressed concern that the project would not now include all the original proposals and in response, the Portfolio Holder advised that in considering the project as a whole, it was necessary to consider the market demand for facilities. Whilst there had once been a high demand for gym facilities, this was one example where demand had reduced in recent years as many people now had exercise equipment at home.

 

• Strand Swimming Pool – The Committee noted that the Strand Swimming Pool had not opened in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but that it was intended that the facility would be open in 2021 if permitted under Government’s Covid-19 restrictions.

 

Whilst it was appreciated that the facility would need to operate at a reduced capacity to comply with ongoing social distancing rules, it was considered that demand to use the facility was likely to be high especially as Splashes Sports Centre was currently closed and the Committee requested information as to whether there were plans to introduce a booking system and extend the opening hours of the Pool.

 

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that subject to Government restrictions permitting the Pool to be open, a booking system would be introduced. The Committee suggested that consideration be given to introducing timed sessions of say 2 – 3 hours in length to enable as many people as possible to use the Pool.

 

The Portfolio Holder advised that whilst he was not against opening the pool for extended hours, as the pool was open air, actual usage of the pool was weather dependent and therefore it was necessary to take this into account when arranging opening times and staff work patterns. This made it more difficult to arrange extended opening hours in advance.

 

• Festivals and Events - It was acknowledged that 2020/21 had been a difficult year with the cancellation of festivals and events due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Portfolio Holder was asked whether during this period, opportunity had been taken to review the overall events programme.

 

The Portfolio Holder expressed disappointment that the Council’s festival and events programme had been cancelled in 2020/21 but he was hopeful that some events would be permitted to go ahead in 2021 but this would be dependent upon the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions.

 

In response to the request for increased notice of event cancellation, in particular for those businesses such as hotels, the Portfolio Holder informed the Committee that festivals and events required planning and organisation well in advance of the actual date they were due to take place. Therefore, a decision about whether an event could proceed could not generally be made at short notice. However, there were occasions when it was necessary to cancel an event at short notice and where possible, this was communicated as widely as possible but he was willing to consider any suggestions as to how this communication could be improved.

 

As to whether an opportunity had been taken to review the festival and events programme, the Portfolio Holder stated he was satisfied that the programme did not require a review but he informed the Committee that a number of individual events were being considered by the Cultural Compact as to ways of increasing inclusivity for smaller groups.

 

• Management of the grass verge environment - The Committee was pleased to note that in 2019, the Council had agreed with Medway Norse to an environmental approach to the management of grass verges with the aim of creating a more diverse habitat and reducing CO2 and that this programme had continued in 2020 and would be expanded in 2021. The Committee requested a list of sites where this initiative had been introduced.

 

In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that he would welcome suggestions for future sites for this initiative from Ward Councillors.

 

• Urban Tree Challenge Fund – The Committee requested that the Portfolio Holder express its appreciation to officers for securing funding from the Forestry Commission as part of the Urban Tree Challenge Fund to plant over 13,000 trees in Medway’s open spaces.

 

In response, the Portfolio Holder agreed that this had been very successful and it was hoped that further funding may be forthcoming.

 

• Visitor Centre in Rochester – Following a request for information as to the plans for the internal review of the Visitor Centre in Rochester, the Portfolio Holder informed the Committee that the Visitors Centre should be the first place of contact for people visiting Rochester and that the information available must be more interactive with a digital focus.

 

• Booking systems at Medway Park Swimming Pool and availability of free swimming – The Committee noted that due to the Covid-19 restrictions, when the Medway Park swimming pool had been open in 2020, swimming sessions were required to be pre-booked. Concern was expressed that some people failed to attend pre-booked sessions to the detriment of others who had been unable to pre-book swim slots, in particular those aged over 60 and under 60 who were entitled to free swimming. It was suggested that consideration be given to introducing a penalty for those who failed to attend pre-booked sessions without notice.

 

In response, the Portfolio Holder stated that to his knowledge this was not considered to be a regular occurrence. He did not wish to introduce a penalty system but would investigate this further in consultation with the Head of Sport, Leisure, Tourism and Heritage.

 

The Portfolio Holder also confirmed that free swimming sessions would resume when the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted and the pool could re-open.  

  

• Archives – The Committee requested that the Portfolio Holder pass on its appreciation for the work of staff in the Archives Section.

 

• Corn Exchange – The Portfolio Holder informed the Committee that a new five-year business plan had been developed for the Corn Exchange and that the building had been completely refurbished with a view to being relaunched as a venue for weddings, business events and celebrations. Consideration was being given to introducing wedding planning packages which would take advantage of photography opportunities in Rochester e.g. Rochester Castle. The Head of Culture and Libraries was currently investigating other potential uses of the building as a means of generating increased income and any suggestions were welcomed.

 

• Marketing and multi-centre ticketing offer – In acknowledging that in the past year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there had been increased reliance on booking and purchasing on-line, the Committee asked whether there were opportunities to maximise the marketing of tourism and to offer multi-centre tickets for facilities across Medway.

 

In response, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that improved and increased marketing was important and service providers were being encouraged to utilise social media to promote services in conjunction with the Council’s Communications Team. Unfortunately, the possible introduction of multi-centre tickets was not yet available.

 

• Armed forces – In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder advised that the Council was a forces friendly employer and whilst a number of reservists currently worked for the Council, work would continue to encourage reservists to consider taking up employment within the Council.

 

The Portfolio Holder also advised upon the support provided to veterans and in particular, in the recruitment of veterans for construction work. He also confirmed that an officer working group ensured that armed forces personnel were not disadvantaged when applying for housing or school places.

 

• Friends Groups/digital support – The Committee requested information as to the support provided to Friends Groups over the past 12 months through the Covid-19 pandemic and in particular, whether it was possible for the Council to provide support via digital tools e. to enable remote meetings to take place.

 

The Portfolio Holder expressed his appreciation to those involved in Friends Groups and confirmed that they were valued and offered many benefits. He was not aware that any work had been undertaken on the possibility of providing digital support to Friends Groups but agreed to ask officers to investigate this in consultation with the Member concerned.

 

• Engaging with hard to reach groups – Information was requested as to whether the Community Hubs could be used to help with delivery of local events which may also assist in enabling increased inclusivity within local communities.

 

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that accessing hard to reach groups was central to the Cultural Compact and he welcomed and encouraged use of local Community Hubs in considering ways that they could be more involved in providing support and events within their local community, particularly as not everyone was part of a group.

 

• South East Creative Cultural and Digital Support – The Committee noted that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the three year European Regional Development Fund, which had been due to run until December 2020 had been extended for a further 6 months to June 2021 and requested whether this Fund would be available beyond June 2021 to assist in researching inclusivity for events.

 

The Portfolio Holder agreed to investigate whether this Fund would be available beyond June 2021.

 

• Provision of outdoor exercise equipment – It was suggested that due to the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions consideration be given to increasing the provision of outdoor exercise equipment.

 

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that outdoor exercise equipment was already in place at a number of sites across Medway and consideration would be given to increased sites in the future.

 

Decision:

 

The Committee:

 

a)            noted that the Portfolio Holder will consider the possible extension of the hours of opening of the Strand Swimming Pool in 2021.

 

b)            noted that the Portfolio Holder will request officers to supply to the Committee a list of sites that had benefitted from the grass verge initiative and that he welcomed suggestions from Ward Councillors for possible sites to be included in the initiative.

 

c)            requested that its appreciation be extended to the Archives Team and officers involved in securing funding from the Forestry Commission as part of the Urban Tree Challenge Fund.

 

d)            noted that the Portfolio Holder has offered to investigate and discuss with officers the issue of non-attendance at pre-booked swimming sessions at Medway Park.

 

e)            noted that the Portfolio Holder will investigate whether the European Regional Development Fund which formed part of the South East Creative Cultural and Digital Support would be available beyond June 2021.

 

f)             noted that the Portfolio Holder has offered to ask officers to investigate further with the Member concerned, the possibility of providing digital support to Friends Groups.

 

g)            noted that the Portfolio Holder had offered to liaise direct with the Member concerned on the promotion of the Corn Exchange for events and ways of improving communications concerning cancelled events to businesses in Rochester.

 

In accordance with Council rule 12.6, Councillors Browne, Mahil and Andy Stamp requested that their votes in favour be recorded.