Agenda and minutes

(Head of Research and Democratic Services)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

Noted that there were no substitute members for this meeting.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

None declared.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) To note the attached updated Terms of Reference and associated Work Programme. The Panel are asked at each meeting to review both documents.

The Panel noted the Terms of Reference and Work Programme, which they considered still to be relevant and would not require any amendment.

The Head Teacher at King Harold School, Mr Feehan has indicated that he, the school Bursar and Chairman of Governors would like to attend to undertake the initial consultation with the Panel on the future management of the Sports Centre, post the Dual Use Agreement Termination in September 2007. A report will be presented explaining possible options for the future of the sports centre. The panel should be aware that if SLM are minded to bid for the management of the Sport Centre then the Panel would be legally constrained in discussing the future plans for the Sports Centre with them, prior to any market testing process.

The meeting welcomed Mr Mike Feehan, the Head Teacher of King Harold School, Ms Julie Johnson, the School Bursar and Ms Elaine Fletcher the Chairman of Governors for the School. The School representatives had been invited to discuss future management options for the Waltham Abbey Sports Centre with the Panel.

The Head of Leisure Services introduced the report giving a short history and background of the centre. The meeting noted that the Waltham Abbey Sports Centre is a Dual Use Sports Centre, located adjacent to King Harold Secondary School, in Broomstick Hall Road, Waltham Abbey.  The Council enjoys the right to use the premise for the benefit of the wider community by virtue of a Joint Agreement entered into with the Education Authority i.e. Essex County Council.  This Dual Use Agreement came into effect on the 1^st October 1977, for a period of 30 years and is therefore due to expire on the 30^th September 2007. 

This Leisure Task and Finish Panel has been mandated to review future management options for the Sports Centre.

With the exception of the dance studio and the bar (which is closed during the day) the school has exclusive use of the Centre, Monday to Friday (8.30a.m. to 5.00p.m.) and priority use of the Centre, excluding the Squash Courts on Saturdays.  In reality, very little call is made by the school for facilities on Saturdays.  This exclusive use arrangement covers the 40 weeks of the school terms.  All the facilities are available to the District Council to organise holiday activities during the school holidays.

Historically, it has been difficult to achieve high levels of use and participation by the local community.  This can largely be attributed to the relatively utilitarian nature of the changing/toilet facilities, whilst well maintained and cleaned to a good standard, have been designed with school pupils in mind. This situation is also compounded by the irregular hours and the physical limitations of the facilities. 

Staff are employed by Leisure Services to manage the building during all opening hours, to include the time allocated to the school.  They take bookings, organise activities, promote the Centre, erect and dismantle equipment, oversee maintenance and ensure that the Centre is clean, safe and fit for purpose.  Staffing levels are currently at the minimum level to cover the opening hours.

Under the requirements of the Joint Use Agreement, there is a share of responsibilities and cost liabilities.  In general terms the District Council is responsible for largely meeting all costs with the exception of 20% of the General Manager’s Salary and 50% of building maintenance costs and an apportionment of utilities costs in certain areas.

In July 2005 the Cabinet received a report concerning the County Council’s wish to receive a 50% contribution, (£75,000) towards the cost of a new roof for the Sports Centre and a 50% contribution (£15,000) towards the cost of new sports hall heating.  In the event the Council declined to contribute to the roof replacement arguing that it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Head of Leisure Services told the Panel that they still needed a dialog with the Grange Farm Trust about the Roding Valley Nature Reserve. He would like to invite them to a small meeting with just the Chair and Vice-Chair and Essex Wildlife Trust and Countrycare, to bring the trust up to date on what was proposed. It would also be an opportunity to ask the Trust if they would be willing to subsidise a half warden post as identified at the last meeting.

A suitable date was to be identified at the end of October/ beginning of November.