Issue - meetings

To consider extracts of the Forward Plan that fall within the remit of the Committee (attached).

Note: both items in the Forward Plan extract are listed with Corporate Scrutiny Committee as the relevant Scrutiny Committee.  However, this is based on previous Scrutiny Committee remits.  At the Council meeting on 21 July, a recommendation from Constitution Committee will be considered on Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Terms of Reference that proposes that this Committee will scrutinise the operational delivery of leisure and cultural services.  The former Corporate Scrutiny Committee has undertaken some scrutiny work of both these issues.

The Committee considered extracts of the Forward Plan insofar as they related to its work.  Following approval of the Scrutiny Committee remits at full Council on 21 July, there were two issues on the Plan that were now relevant to this Committee’s work – “Future operation of Knutsford Cinema” and “Future operation of Crewe Lyceum Theatre”.  Both items had previously been considered by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.  The Committee received an update on the current position as follows:

      Knutsford Cinema – an advert was to be published the first week of August to invite bidders to run the cinema within the Civic Centre with a 6 week response period.  Bids would be evaluated in September and a preferred option taken to full Cabinet in October or November;

      Crewe Theatre – soft market testing was being undertaken to establish likely levels of interest from commercial operators or community enterprises.  This would be completed around the end of August and outcomes shared with the Portfolio Holder and the next steps agreed.

RESOLVED:  that the update on Knutsford Cinema and Crewe Theatre be noted.