Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as correct the notes of the meeting held on 5 January 2017.

The group approved the notes of the meeting of 5 January 2017. The Chairman of the group explained that he would review the start-time of future meetings.

At the request of officers, the Chairman re-ordered the agenda and this item was heard first. Officers provided three updates on The Bridge:

a) Construction

·         Good progress was being made with the project

·         Agreement had been reached with UK Power Networks about the substation

·         Two new planning applications had to be submitted to account for value engineering changes and the extension of the sports hall by 1 metre

·         The access route had been designated as a road

·         MUGA construction would be underway once the land transfer was complete

·         An onsite target date of 15 May 2017 had been set.

b) Users

·         Existing user groups would be served notices about lease arrangements once planning permission had been granted

·         Fees and charges would be reviewed

·         Changes to the bowls centre had been well received and that new lease terms would be agreed.

c) Communications

·         A communications group had been set-up to consider matters such as awareness raising, signage, and information hoardings

·         That a logo was needed to give the project a clearly identifiable brand, working with the provider

Members credited officers for their work on the ambitious project. The Chairman and Officers explained that sport was a major strand in the forthcoming year of culture, and that marketing would need to be joined up and prioritised.

In response to member questions, officers explained that the contractors were subject to a rigorous tendering exercise which included site management matters, and that the timeline had not been adversely affected by planning considerations.

The Head of Community and Culture introduced the Sports Development Officer to the group and explained how the function aligned to the council’s priorities by contextually addressing social inequality, reducing crime and disorder, and generating income.

The Sports Development Officer presented to the group. Members heard about:

·         Partnership working, regionally, countywide and locally

·         The broad range of activities delivered

·         Delivery areas, including regenerating sports clubs, and supporting leisure provision

·         Adult participation projects, funded by Sports England, including Set 4 Success

·         Activities for older people such as the ‘Care home Olympics’

·         Female participation

·         Leadership development for young people

·         Disability projects, including the reaching higher scheme and the wheels for all cycling project  

·         Primary school sports, offering coaching in 20 primaries with government grant

·         Secondary school / college sport, such as Weald sports leaders

·         Community events, such as youth triathlon and the sport relief mile

·         Other projects included tennis with LTA support, the refurbishment of the courts in Horsham Park and re-marketing of school holiday activities

·         The good use of volunteers in delivering activities.

Further, due to the success of income generation activities, the net subsidy provided by the council had decreased to just £60,000 per annum, and 80,000 attendances had been achieved. The continuity of staff over time had contributed to the success of the function.  

The Chairman of the group praised the sports development team for their confidence and professional service delivery. Members concurred, and also commended the volunteers who gave up their time to make activities a success.

This item was withdrawn by the Chairman.

The Chairman of the group explained that a year of culture co-ordinator would be appointed and that a delivery board would be created to identify and approach funding sources.