Agenda and minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 15/11/17

The group received the notes of the previous meeting, held on 15/11/17.

To note the Forward Plan extract (if any) for the Leisure and Culture Portfolio

There was no relevant Forward Plan extract for the Leisure and Culture Portfolio.

To receive an update from the Head of Community and Culture

The Year of Culture Project Co-ordinator provided the group with an update on the progress of The Year of Culture.

Since the launch of the Year of Culture short film it had received over 20,000 views online from people in a number of different countries, not just from those in and around the Horsham District.

150 expressions of interest had been submitted from community groups, local organisations and existing event organisers seeking funding to extend their programmes through and as part of the Year of Culture.

83 planned events had been put forward to final application stage with a combined request value of £309,390 towards over £700k worth of events.

Applications came from Bramber, Christs Hospital, Horsham, Pulborough. Warnham, Amberley, Ashington, Broadbridge Heath, Billingshurst, Coolham, Henfield, Horsham, Steyning, Pulborough, Rudgwick, Shermanbury, Shipley, Southwater, Warnham, West Chiltington, Holbrook, Lower Beeding, Rudgwick, Storrington, Sullington, Thakeham, Washington and West Chiltington.

Applications are being worked up with support from HDC officers and will be determined by beginning of March.

The initial YOC programme will be advertised on line from beginning of April.

The Year of Culture Project Panel would be holding further meetings with potential sponsors.

The group requested that a seminar be held for all Members on the progress of the project.

To receive an update from the Head of Community and Culture

The Head of Community and Culture informed the group that the project was still on track and provided the following details.

The contractor (Neilcott) now in week 25 of the 56 week programme. Have requested a two week extension to take account of additional groundworks (this is being reviewed).

New Centre due to open October 2018. Demolition of old building and construction of new car park by April 2019.

Regular progress meetings are being held with Neilcott to monitor the construction element of the contract. A Clerk of Works has now been appointed to oversee the site construction work.

Work on the fit-out schedule and disposal of assets is progressing well.

The MUGAS are now open for daytime use for tennis and netball.  There remains some final work to site drainage, commissioning the floodlights and installing ball stop netting before they can be fully operational but feedback from users on the quality very positive

Regular meetings continue with the key user groups to ensure a smooth transition.

Works have begun to modify the old ambulance station in Hurst Road as the relocation venue for drama groups. Target completion date April.

Measures are being taken to remove graffiti from the external walls of the Indoor Bowls Centre and deal with the long-term issue of anti-social behaviour on the site.

Contractors on site putting in access road to Football Pavilion and foundation works start next week

To receive an update from the Head of Community and Culture

The Director of Community Services informed the group that officers would be reviewing the sustainability of The Capitol going forward and produce a business plan covering the next 3-5 years.