Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

The Chair welcomed and congratulated the newly appointed Head of Community Services, Angela Gillingham.

There were none.

To receive declarations of interest.

There were none.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2022.

Councillor Tucker informed the Chair, Councillor Brine that in his absence at the last meeting Councillor Aldam had been an excellent Vice-Chair in the Chair.

The Chair of the Committee will answer questions from members of the public submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

There were none.

See Agenda Item 4 for deadlines for submission.

There were none.

To approve the refurbishment of Stratford Park Tennis Courts.

The Physical Activity and Health Development Manager introduced the report and advised that Stroud District Council (SDC) had been successful in receiving £115,670.10 from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for improvements to Stratford Park Leisure Centre tennis courts. The total cost needed for the redevelopment was £127,670.10, this would be made up from thr funding rom the LTA, Active Gloucestershire (£5k) and SDC’s Health & Wellbeing budget (£7k). The refurbishment included all six courts being resurfaced, new nets and posts, new fencing where needed and a gate access entry system. Additionally, a tennis development programme was being established to increase participation.

Councillor Tucker asked for more detail relating to disability access. The Physical Activity and Development Manager advised all gates would be wheelchair accessible, it was confirmed that currently the top and bottom courts were accessible and future work would need to be undertaken regarding access to the middle courts as they could only be accessed via steps.

Councillor J Jones questioned if there would be any additional costs over the £7k allocated by SDC in the event more fencing would be needed. The Physical Activity and Development Manager advised that the contractors had carefully factored all costs including what fencing needed to be replaced and therefore there would not be any further costs to SDC.

Councillor Robinson asked if a Gloucestershire contractor was being used for the project. The Physical Health and Development Manager explained the main contractor for the court replacement wasn’t local as the contractor needed to be from the LTA’s recognised suppliers, however the contractor for the gate system was based in Cirencester.

Proposed by Councillor Robinson and Seconded by Councillor Job.

The Chair, Councillor Brine informed Committee of a typo in the report and proposed Committee make a friendly amendment to change the year from ‘2022’ to ‘2023’. Committee agreed unanimously to the friendly amendment.

Councillor Craig thanked the Officers for their quick turnaround in the work that had already been done.

Councillor Job advised members that Alicia Barnett, a Painswick resident currently competing in the Australian Open and whether she could be an ambassador for Stroud to encourage young people into tennis.

Councillor Tucker queried if the contractors could deliver the project by the end of March. The Physical Health and Development Manager confirmed.

On being put to the vote, the Motion was passed unanimously.

A report was circulated prior to Committee. There were no further questions.

A report was circulated prior to Committee. The Community Health and Wellbeing Manager introduced the report and advised she would be producing a monthly report for circulation to Members, Parish and Town Councils and the Voluntary Sector Network. She continued and advised:

• in 2019 Stroud Foodbank issued approximately 3,500 parcels however nearly 8,000 were issued in 2022.
• SDC and partners were continuing to issue vouchers for food and energy to voluntary partners and there continued to be sufficient budget within the Household Support Fund. 
• Gloucestershire Country Council had 93 people between October-December apply for their Central Fund. £53k was issued in funding during this period due to financial hardship.
• Resources and training were being explored for warm space area coordinators to ensure they were supported.

The following responses were provided on Members questions:

• The Community Health and Wellbeing Manager would provide Councillors Prenter and Job with detailed breakdowns from their wards relating to financial crisis.
• Continued working was being carrtied out with Parish and Town Councils to provide resources, and to help identify those who may need support, espeically in rural areas or areas without Community Hubs.
• Travel and transportation to be added to the CoL Working Group agenda to consider how free transport or taxi/bus vouchers could be explored and fed back to a future Committee.
• The vouchers were a form of gift card and therefore could include home delivery for supermarkets.
• Exploration of how to build and better develop relationships with Schools, Governors and parent groups to be added to the Working Group agenda and establish which elected Members have direct contacts for schools within their areas.

The Head of Community Services reminded Members of the Committee why SDC were exploring the Local Authority Trading Company (LATC) once the current contact at Stratford Park Leisure Centre ends in 2024. She advised that the business case that being brought to 23 March 2023 Committee would outline the medium-long term savings to be made including the options on how to heat and light the centres.

The Chair, Councillor Brine informed Committee the report would also be going to Strategy and Resources Committee and Council as a recommendation from the Community Services and Licensing Committee and urged Members to consider the report thoroughly.

Councillor Robinson sought confirmation that the LATC at Stratford Park would be rebranded so it would no longer be referenced as a Leisure Centre. The Head of Community Services confirmed.

Councillor Craig asked if the LATC business case would be similar to the South Gloucestershire Circadian Trust Model. The Head of Community Services advised South Gloucestershire was a Trust and the LATC would be a company that SDC owned and allowed SDC to shape its own strategic direction through a board of Directors and Shareholders.

In response to a question from Councillor J Jones, the Head of Community Services confirmed that the LATC would be a Not-for-Profit Organisation.

To consider the work programme.

The Chair, Councillor Brine informed Committee of the following changes to the work programme:

Reports moved to June 2023

• Update on Play Review Spending Allocations
• Stroud District Passport to Activity and Wellbeing
• Concession Scheme Pricing

Report moved to September 2023

• Anti-Social Behaviour Policy