To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers in accordance with the provisions of the Members Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008 (including whipping declarations).

Councillor Walters declared a personal interest in agenda item 5, Playing Fields, Outdoor Sports Facilities and Parks Pavilions because her husband was a member of Bridgend Municipal Bowling Club.

To receive for approval the minutes of the meeting of 16/04/2018 and 24/05/2018.

RESOLVED:             That the Minutes of meetings of the Subject Overview

                                  and Scrutiny Committees dated 16^th April 2018 and

                                  24^th May 2018 be approved as a true and accurate

                                  record.                                          

The Scrutiny Officer presented a report on the forward work programme, potential items for comment and prioritisation and feedback from previous meetings.

At the 13 May 2018 meeting, Secure Estate was considered and members asked what percentage of the prison population in Parc previously resided in BCBC before they became an ordinary resident of BCBC as a result of being in the secure estate. The feedback stated that the prison did not collect data in this way. A Member added that the Ministry of Justice should be able to provide this data.

The Chair of the Committee confirmed that she had sent a letter to the Department of Justice and Welsh Government stating that they should reconsider the Grant funding allocation as BCBC was being placed in an unfair financial disadvantage by having a secure estate within its boundary.   

The Committee noted that Education Outcomes had been prioritised for January 2019.

The Committee asked that the same invitees for Education Outcomes be invited to ALN Reform in addition to a representative dealing with apprenticeships. 

RESOLVED:   That Committee approved the feedback from the previous                            

                        meetings and identified the invitees for future items.   

Invitees:

Mark Shephard, Corporate Director Communities
Cllr Richard Young, Cabinet Member – Communities;
Zak Shell, Head of Neighbourhood Services.

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report bringing to the attention of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee proposals to make the Council’s provision of playing fields, outdoor sports facilities and parks pavilions more financially sustainable moving forward. The report would be presented to Cabinet on 18 September 2018 seeking permission to enter into a period of consultation.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that in view of the budget cuts, they were looking to move towards a scenario of full cost recovery with regard to the provision of playing fields, and parks pavilions. This was a direction of travel consistent with other authorities such as the Vale of Glamorgan, Carmarthen and Blaenau Gwent. The cumulative impact of substantial budget reductions had been felt by the Council and the current level of Council subsidy for this service was not sustainable. If no action was taken then ultimately the Council would have no option but to close the facilities.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that the council hoped the change of policy would prompt sports clubs and other users to take responsibility for the facilities through community asset transfers. The current level of council subsidy (up to 80%) had acted as a disincentive to clubs taking on community asset transfers. There were currently MTFS proposals for savings in 2019/20 and 2020/21 totalling £500,000. He added that following seven years of budget cuts, there were very few places in the Communities Directorate where further savings could be made.

Members raised concerns about the financial pressures on younger people participating in sport and how the authority would remain in compliance with the Social Services and Well-being Act.  Members asked how the neighbouring Authority of Rhondda Cynon Taff were able to continue to subsides such services.  The Corporate Director Communities explained that the fees charges by authorities such as Rhondda Cynon Taff were the exception and that it was a political decision by them to prioritise certain services over others. This authority was seeking a culture change where people would be given the opportunity and timescales to find solutions. He recognised there were a number of issues and one size did not fit all. Some schools offered outdoor sports facilities for training and there could be opportunities for clubs to negotiate with the schools to use these.  

Members were concerned that the current process of managing outdoor sports facilities was too fragmented as they were currently managed by different directorates and departments.  Members asked if the Health Board had a role to play and if funding was available from this source.  The Corporate Director Communities explained that he had many conversations with the health board over the years and even though more money was going in to prevention, it was not in this area. Members recommended that all Directorates work more holistically and adopt a One Council approach to enable them to access all available funding streams. 

A Member raised concerns that in his experience, clubs were supported by volunteers with limited background in finance.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

To consider any item(s) of business in respect of which notice has been given in

accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting is of the opinion should by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

None.