BOROUGH OF POOLE

ASHDOWN COMMUNITY USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

28TH APRIL 2008

The Meeting commenced at 16.30pm and concluded at 17.35pm.

Present:

Councillor Jeff Allen – Chairman

Colvin Aldous – Governor Representative / Vice-Chairman

Iain Stokes – SLM

Tom Darlington – User Representative / Poole Hockey Club

Jon Bland – Ashdown Technology College

Elizabeth Jones – Ashdown Technology College

Keith Newman – Ashdown Technology College

Anthony Rogers – Leisure Services

Lisa Gardner – Legal and Democratic Services

1.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Jenny Sykes, Councillor Peter Adams, Dave Greenwood, Councillor Mrs Moore, Dale Gregory, Maureen Champness and Bill Craig.

2.MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 3rd March 2008, be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

3.MATTERS ARISING

Minute 3 (3.3.08) – Outdoor Facilities

In response to an enquiry from Tom Darlington (Poole Hockey Club), Members were advised that External Clubs would be consulted with regard to the options for future usage of the outdoor facilities and representatives from the clubs would be invited to view the different surface types.

Minute 3 (3.3.08) – SLM Attendance at Parents’ Evenings/School Events

Iain Stokes advised that representatives from SLM and Leisure Services had attended a recent Parents’ Evening at the School to provide information on Access-to-Leisure and the new leisure facilities on the campus. SLM wished to have a presence at future such events and was seeking to explore with the School how information on the new facilities and programmes could be disseminated to pupils directly.

The Committee noted that a key issue was how awareness could be raised amongst the local community in respect of the excellent new facilities on the site.

  1. PERIMETER FENCING

The Committee noted that the official view with regard to completion of the Perimeter Fencing was that Leisure Services, the School and SLM, would need to provide an equal contribution towards completion of the works, on the basis that each party would benefit equally.

The Chairman observed that Maureen Champness had undertaken to contact Debbie Priest (PE & Arts Adviser, CYPS Strategy, Quality & Improvement Service) with regard to potential sources of funding that could be explored for the Perimeter Fencing and requested that the Clerk sought an update in respect of this prior to the next meeting.

AGREED –

That the Clerk contacts Maureen Champness with regard to the alternative sources of funding that might be available for the Perimeter Fencing.

  1. GOVERNING BODY AND HEADTEACHER’S ITEMS

Insurance Claim

Keith Newman reported that one of the students had injured themselves in the Sports Hall during School hours and clarification was required over who might be responsible in insurance terms (the School/Council or SLM).

AGREED -

That the Clerk contacts the Council’s Monitoring Officer, Tim Martin, Head of Legal & Democratic Services (on behalf of the Chairman and in conjunction with the School, Leisure Services SLM) for clarification with regard to this issue.

Maintenance / Repairs of facilities

Following this, it was highlighted that there were a number of grey areas over who was responsible for maintenance/repairs of the facilities both inside and outside. There appeared to be a number of grey areas and clarification was required as to what was stated in the original partnership agreement.

6.LEISURE CENTRE MANAGER’S REPORT

Iain Stokes (SLM) provided a verbal Leisure Centre Manager’s Report to the Committee and highlighted the following points:-

Attendance

  • There had been a steady increase in Leisure Centre attendance levels from October 2007;
  • There had been a temporary reduction in attendance levels during May-September 2007 whilst the capital works were completed;
  • The numbers of Access-to-Leisure members had increased significantly since September 2007.

Kids-Active Scheme

  • SLM had been contacted by Schools whose pupils were unable to attend the 3.15pm ‘Kids Active’ sessions and consideration would be given to providing an alternative studio-based programme from 4-5pm during school term-time.

Holiday Clubs

  • Ashdown Leisure Centre had held an Open Day on 27th April 2008 and Virginia Bailey (Recreation Development Officer, Leisure Services) was in the process of arranging activity days, to include taster sessions for various sporting activities (for example, indoor hockey and athletics);
  • Gymnastics and Trampolining were proving popular and SLM was seeking to help OLGA (Gymnastics & Trampolining Club) to extend its base;
  • SLM was aiming to increase young people’s participation in sporting activities at Ashdown.

7.OUTDOOR FACILITIES

Astro Turf/Multi-Use Games Area

Anthony Rogers reported that a Five-A-Side football provider had indicated that it could be a workable proposition for them to invest in the Astro Turf/Multi-Use Games Area and Leisure Services/SLM would be holding further discussions with them shortly. The football provider could invest approximately £2M in the site and discussions would be held with all key user groups as part of the consultation process. The changing facilities might be enhanced as part of the development, but it was probable that the investor would have its own built-facility on site.

A discussion took place with regard to the Astro Turf/Multi-Use Games Area during which Members made the following comments:

  • There was a need to take into account the needs of user groups and to consider the wider context of what facilities were already available in the Borough;
  • The PPG17 Study of Recreational Facilities in the Borough had revealed an under-resource of Astro Turf, giving the Council potential leverage to expand on the current amount;
  • The proposal to introduce a single surface, which could be divided up temporarily as required, was not the School’s preferred option;
  • Planning Obligations for Recreation Funding could be sought for enhancement or change of usage of the facility;
  • The School might be interested in supporting the provision of outdoor sheltered areas with an investor and some low-cost options could be explored;
  • Funding streams could be available through the Dfes/educational routes and the Borough could use Prudential Borrowing for the works;
  • `Schools for the Future’ funding could be considered if the provision of upgraded sporting facilities was aligned with the transformation of learning styles;
  • Opportunities could be explored to provide additional community activities for young people on the campus (eg, to deter young people away from anti-social behaviour);
  • Consideration could be given to whether the existing facilities could be adapted, to enable families to spectate at hockey matches, as there were currently no viewing areas.

Athletics Track

Iain Stokes advised that interim repairs to the Athletics Track would be completed in 2 week’s time to make the facility safe to use, although it needed to be cleaned and re-lined (at a potential cost of £70 - £100k), before it was suitable for competitions.

Vandalism

The Committee noted that the out-building housing the pole vault crash mat had been vandalised in recent weeks and members commented that completion of the Perimeter Fencing would significantly improve security of the site.

Outdoor Equipment

Anthony Rogers advised that legal advice had been sought with regard to this issue.

8.DATES AND TIMES OF NEXT MEETINGS

Members agreed that the meetings of the Committee for the forthcoming year would take place on the following dates (the meetings to be held at 4.30p.m. at Ashdown Technology College);

  • Monday, 16th June 2008;
  • Monday, 15th September 2008;
  • Monday, 3rd November 2008;
  • Monday, 12th January 2009;
  • Monday, 2nd March 2009;
  • Monday, 27th April 2009;
  • Monday 29th June 2009.

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