Agenda and minutes

Apologies for the meeting were received from Councillor S Atkinson

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any disclosable pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest in respect of matters contained in the agenda.

Councillor R Newmark declared an interest in Agenda Item 17 – Lease Agreement for Sabden Football Club.

There was no public participation.

Report of the Director of Community Services enclosed.

The Director of Community Services submitted a report asking Committee to consider a request from Mid Pennine Arts for a Plaque in the grounds of the Castle as part of their plan to extend the Radical Trail.

The Head of Cultural and Leisure Services outlined the background to the project and advised of the further developments that are being made to the Trail. 

Members were advised that, prior to the plaque being installed, Mid Pennine Arts would need to obtain Listed Building Consent and complete an appropriate licence agreement. They would take responsibility for the installation and any future maintenance but the Council would have the right to remove the plaque if deemed appropriate.

Councillor M French was given permission to speak and outlined on behalf of Clitheroe Town Council that they would be fully supportive of the request.  He noted that it was important to recognise the achievements that people like David Shackleton have made, otherwise they would be lost in history.

Questions were raised as to this potentially setting a precedent for requests in the future, but it was noted that Committee would look at any such requests on a case by case basis and they would be judged on their individual merits, which would need to have significant relevance.

RESOLVED THAT COMMTTEE:

Approved the request from Mid Pennine Arts to install the Plaque as outlined in the report.

Report of the Director of Community Services enclosed.

The Director of Community Services submitted a report asking Committee to consider naming the Mardale Playing Pitches as ‘The Brian Holden Memorial Playing Field’.

The Head of Cultural and Leisure Services outlined that recently the pitches have been improved using section 106 monies and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Councillor Brian Holden, who sadly passed away earlier this year, was a driving force behind the improvements. 

It was re-iterated that it is not the norm to rename existing land/facilities after people, however it was felt that an exception should be made due to Councillor Holden’s significant contribution.  His wife had also been consulted and she felt that it would be a fitting tribute to him.

There was some discussion as to the design of the plaque and where it should be fitted.  Some concerns were also raised as to the need for the plaque to recognise the contribution of the UKSPF but it was accepted that this was part of the funding terms.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approved the renaming of the Mardale Playing Pitches as “The Brian Holden Memorial Playing Field”.

Report of the Director of Community Services enclosed.

The Director of Community Services submitted a report asking Committee to amend the grant criteria for the Council’s Culture and Recreation Grants.

It was noted that the criteria are amended periodically to ensure their relevance and to ensure that they are clear to those applying.  The Head of Cultural and Leisure Services gave an overview as to the changes that were being sought and answered questions posed by Members.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.     Approved the proposed amendments for the grant criteria.

2.     Approved the insertion of an additional question to the Recreation & Culture Grant application form, namely ‘How will the project support environmental sustainability?’

Report of the Director of Resources & Deputy Chief Executive enclosed.

The Director of Resources & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report on the outturn for the financial year 2022/23 in respect of the Revenue Budget for this Committee.

There had been a considerable number of variations in both income and expenditure during the year that had given rise to an overall underspending of -£146,279 on the net cost of services. After transfers to and from earmarked reserves there was an overall underspend of -£17,582. Details by cost centre were outlined in the report for information.

Report of the Director of Resources & Deputy Chief Executive enclosed.

The Director of Resources & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report outlining the position for the period April to June 2023 of this year’s revenue budget for this Committee.

The comparison between actual and budgeted expenditure showed an underspend of £48,964 for the first three months of the financial year 2023/24. After allowing for transfers to/from earmarked reserves the underspend was £66,355.  Details of the variances were included in the report for information.

Report of the Director of Resources & Deputy Chief Executive enclosed.

The Director of Resources & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report outlining the progress on this Committee’s 2023/24 capital programme for the period to the end of June 2023.

At the end of June 2023, £298,881 had been spent or committed. This was 20.6% of the full year approved capital programme budget for this Committee of £1,451,910.  Of the 21 schemes in the capital programme, 3 schemes were completed, 15 schemes were currently expected to be fully or substantially completed in year and 3 schemes are unlikely to be completed within the financial year.

Report of the Chief Executive enclosed.

The Chief Executive submitted a report informing Committee that the Liberal Democrat representative on the Grants Working Group had changed from Councillor S Fletcher to Councillor M Robinson.

There were no minutes from working groups.

There were no reports from representatives on outside bodies.

Report of the Director of Community Services enclosed.

The Director of Community Services submitted a report updating Committee on a variety of developments in sports, arts and community development and the performance of the Platform Gallery.

Discussions focused on solar panels being fitted on the Council buildings and the timescales involved, and electric vehicle charging points.  Of particular concern to Members is the ability to install charging points in the more rural areas of the Ribble Valley, particularly where it would require upgrades to the electrical supplies and where there is limited internet access.  It was noted that the lack of internet also impacts on car parks in areas such as Slaidburn and Dunsop Bridge where people are unable to pay via their phones.

The Director of Community Services advised that the Council are taking a staged approach, looking to use Rural England Prosperity Fund for those sites that have both an electricity and internet connection. Options for other sites would continue to be investigated as would Edisford and Longridge which are not eligible for the Rural England Prosperity Fund. The Director agreed that a report will be presented at the January Committee providing further details.  

RESOLVED: That by virtue of the next item of business being exempt information under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be now excluded from the meeting.

Report of the Director of Community Services enclosed

The Director of Community Services submitted a report asking Committee to allow a variation to the Council’s current hire policy for the 3G pitch and Education Room at the Edisford site, in order to attract greater use of the facility when not currently in use and to provide a local BTEC course in sport for young people.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Agreed to hire the 3G pitch at the lower community rate to Pro Sport Coaching Limited for 1 year and to allow a 3 year hire agreement for the 3G pitch and Education Room.

Report of the Director of Community Services enclosed.

The Director of Community Services submitted a report seeking permission from Committee to renew the current lease between the Council and Sabden Football Club.

The Head of Cultural and Leisure Services outlined the proposals of the lease to the Committee.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approved the renewal of the lease as set out in the report.