Portsmouth City Borough Council Cabinet Member - The Leader (Culture, Leisure and Economic Development Portfolio) Meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mary Vallely.

There were no declarations of interest.

The report was introduced by James Daly, Culture Development and Projects Officer and Cathy Hakes, Head of Museums.  They explained that they had received 12 expressions of interest so there was a good choice of candidates to take to the panel which was very promising.

In response to a comment from Councillor Smith, officers said that the key objectives would be held to account, and these would be included in the annual report.

Members congratulated officers on securing this and felt that it would have a wide impact.      

DECISIONS:

(1)  Work to submit the bid and accept the grant was noted.

(2)  That officers continue to commence the project and to identify potential projects and Higher Education partners;

(3)  That an annual update report on the project is brought to the Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development. 

The report was introduced by Michael Gunton, Senior Archivist.

The Cabinet Member thanked officers for their work on these policies.

DECISION: The Cabinet Member approved the policies in advance of the re-application process.

The report was introduced by Claire Looney, Commissioning and Partnerships Manager, on behalf of David Moorman, Sports & Leisure Strategic Development Manager.

The Leader said that this is an important document, and it was important to discuss this with the sector which is why the Sports Council meetings have resumed and they are trying to ensure that as many sports who are active in the city represented on this. The Young Sportsperson of the Year will also be relaunched next year to focus on youth development.

In response to comments and questions from one of the opposition spokespeople regarding working with the private sector and schools, the Leader said that discussion took place at Sports Council, and it was identified that schools let out facilities to clubs and groups out of hours but sometimes key pieces of equipment are missing; this could be funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. A piece of work would take place to make this known to all groups and clubs.

In response to a question regarding supporting existing sportspeople the Leader said the Council does not have an elite sports support programme. The Sports Council has a small grants pot that it can give to enable people to access that training and once they are in that pathway towards elite sport the national governing bodies have their own funding sources to support those athletes. BH Live also have programmes to support elite athletes and they work in partnership with the national governing bodies and clubs to ensure that opportunity is as strong as possible.

DECISION: The Cabinet Member adopted the Strategic Outcomes Plan as the council's strategic basis for capital investment in sports and leisure facilities in Portsmouth. It was noted that this does not commit the council to any specific expenditure but is of significant value because it demonstrates that a citywide strategic vision has been developed to inform sound investment decisions by the council and its funding partners.

Mark Woolnough, Built Environment and Recreation Manager, presented the report.

The Leader added that addition of the Lighthouse Practice GP surgery to the centre will allow the practice to grow and attract new GPs.  This will help to ensure that there is a good medical offer in this part of the city for residents.  Members were fully in support co-location of services in the leisure centre.

In response to a comment the Leader said that no decisions would be made on the future of Eastney Swimming Pool or Wimbledon Park Sports Centre until planning permission has been granted for the Bransbury Park Leisure Centre and works have commenced.

Members noted that the full financial appraisal would come to the next CLED Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet Member noted the information report and thanked officers for the report.