Agenda and minutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda

No Member made any declaration of interest in any item of business on the agenda.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35, a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Sub-Committee on any matter relevant to its work. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

During public speaking time, members of the public may ask questions of the Chairman on any matter relevant to the work of the Sub-Committee.

Note: in order for the Officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if questions were submitted at least one working day before the meeting.

In accordance with Procedure Rules 11 and 35, members of the public were entitled to address the Committee on any matter relevant to its work.

There were no members of the public present and the Sub-Committee proceeded to its next business.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2009.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th April 2009 be approved as a correct record.

To inform Members of the very latest independent thinking and conclusions around Strategic Commissioning within Leisure and Culture.

At its meeting held on 20^th April 2009, the Sub-Committee had agreed that consultants be commissioned to provide an options appraisal for the future delivery of leisure facilities in Cheshire East.   

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Head of Health and Well-Being which outlined current independent “thinking” and conclusions in respect of strategic commissioning within Leisure and Culture. 

It was noted that the contract for an Options Appraisal was to be awarded shortly and the conclusions outlined in the report would be used to inform the consultant’s evaluation as the Authority moved towards a strategic commissioning model of procurement.

The report included a summary of four national events organised by IDeA with the intention of increasing understanding of the re-orientation of public services around the “commissioning model”. The events had been held in Birmingham, Ipswich, Rochdale and London respectively. The Service Development Manager spoke to the report and highlighted the key strategic issues which had emerged.  Members made comments, as appropriate.

Ø                        Working effectively within LSPs to define need, and influence decision-making on priority outcomes and commissioning was important in raising the profile of culture and sport. It was important, therefore, that the current practice of using different data sets be replaced with a pooling of information using common data sets. Combining information and expertise at the planning stage was critical in the strategic commissioning processes. Councils had shown that by investing in shared need assessments at the outset, the contribution of culture and sport was better recognised.

Ø                           It would be important to consider how culture and leisure contributions could feed into the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) framework as a tool to support ambitions for the area.

Ø                           There were tensions between a “needs-led” approach to service planning and delivery which was perceived by some as rationing services to particular client groups. The way in which public services was perceived was changing and services should be aimed at meeting needs of local people rather than being defined around services currently offered by providers.

Ø                           Although Trusts had formerly been considered a reasonable option for the delivery of culture and leisure services on behalf of local authorities, this was no longer appropriate.  There was a tendency for them to feel disempowered and isolated from the new commissioning framework agenda. This was particularly true in small districts with small trusts or small contracts where “client” capacity no longer existed in the Council.   Many providers were too small and were only able to operate facilities rather than commission voluntary and community organisations to assist in their delivery. 

During discussion, a Member referred to a community group with which he was associated. The Group had little difficulty raising funds for sporting and other physical activities, but was unable to attract volunteers.  As a consequence, it had now sponsored a Street Sports scheme operated by the Borough Council for young people up to 19 years of age.

Ø                           Investing in third sector capability would be advantageous in the longer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To share with Members the Options Appraisal Contract terms and conditions and the timetable.

At its meeting held on 20^th April 2009, the Sub-Committee had agreed that consultants be commissioned to provide an options appraisal for the future delivery of leisure facilities in Cheshire East. 

The Sub-Committee received the report of the Head of Health and Well-Being which set out the Options Appraisal Contract terms and conditions and the timetable. A copy of the proposed contract was also included within the report.

It was noted that of those invited to tender, seven had been provided with the draft contract and quotations were expected from the companies identified in the report. 

RESOLVED: That

(1)       The timetable and information be noted;  and

(2)       Arrangements be made for the Sub-Committee to meet late July/early August and week commencing 5^th October 2009.