Deputy Leader – Asset & Estate Management, Sport, Leisure & Culture Cabinet Member – Minutes – 26 January 2012

36  (36) LEISURE GRANT AID APPLICATIONS – The Director of Infrastructure Services submitted a report seeking consideration of applications received by the council for financial assistance. 

The key points of the report were that –

  • There were two different leisure grant aid schemes.
  • There were eight applications for grant aid to consider against the scheme criteria and available funds 

The report highlighted that the Sports Grants to Individuals scheme helped athletes selected to national teams/squads.  The maximum grant was £500 towards travel and training costs and free off peak access to fitness centres and swimming pools in council run facilities.  Only those sports recognised by Sport England were eligible. 

The Leisure Capital Grant Programme scheme helped community sport, arts or heritage capital projects.  The most granted was normally £15,000.  It was explained that Groups could apply for one grant of up to £30,000 in any five-year period if the total cost of the project was more than £60,000. 

The applications received met the criteria in the relevant grant aid scheme for assistance up to the level shown in the attached table. 

Resolved – That the recommended level of grant support, set out in appendix 1 to the report, be approved. 

37  (37) SUNDAY OPENING – NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE MUSEUM – The Director of Infrastructure Services submitted a report considering whether the North Lincolnshire Museum should close on Sundays from 1 April 2012. 

When the council agreed its budget in February 2011, it included a saving target of £10,000 in the four year budget plan for Sport, Leisure and Culture.  The aim was to achieve this by closing the North Lincolnshire Museum on Sundays.  This decision was due to be implemented on 1 April 2012. 

Visitor numbers had increased by 25 percent over the last five years.  This had been achieved by providing better exhibitions, family activities and events.  If the Museum closed on Sundays it would likely mean a loss of visitors. 

The report gave details of the options available, including financial implications. 

Resolved – (a) That Option 2, as set in the report, that the Museum remain open on Sundays, be approved, and (b) that the associated costs, as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report, be found from elsewhere within the Museum Service budget. 

The following items contain exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). 

38  (38) NORMANBY GARDENERS – WEEKEND WORKING REVIEW – The Director of Infrastructure Services submitted a report considering options for alternative ways of staffing the Walled Garden at Normanby Hall Country Park (NHCP). 

Currently two of the three gardeners who worked at NHCP shared the weekend duties in the Walled Garden.  The Walled Garden was a unique feature of NHCP which attracted visitors from across the country.  One of these gardeners had resigned.  This provided an opportunity to review the post prior to requesting permission to fill the vacancy.  Given the importance of the Walled Garden for the income generation at NHCP, it was important to maintain a full establishment of gardeners.  However, it was possible to make some savings by reviewing current working patterns, without compromising the quality of the Walled Garden. 

In undertaking the review, the horticultural needs of the garden and glasshouses, improving customer care at peak times and the chance to make budget savings were all considered. 

Resolved – That option 1, as outlined in paragraph 3.1 of the report, subject to concluding consultations with the trade unions and staff concerned, be approved in principle. 

39  (39)  PROPERTY TRANSACTION SCHEDULE – The Director of Infrastructure Services submitted a report seeking for consideration, and where necessary approval, of a schedule containing the terms of all recently negotiated property transactions. 

The schedules covered both operational and commercial property. 

Resolved – That the schedule appended to the report be approved.

Where there is no report this is because it is exempt, as it contains information which is considered to be of a confidential nature, as detailed in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act.