AGENDA ITEM 8 CABINET 5/4/2011 FOR INFORMATION BOROUGH OF POOLE ENVIRONMENT OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE 24 MARCH 2011 REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES LEISURE SERVICES STRATEGY PART OF THE PUBLISHED FORWARD PLAN - YES STATUS – STRATEGIC 1 Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is for Members to have an opportunity to comment on the draft Leisure Services Strategy, prior to public consultation. 2 Decision Required 2.1 Members are requested to: 2.2 Recommend to Cabinet that the Leisure Services Strategy is promoted and distributed for public consultation. 3 Introducing the Leisure Services Strategy 3.1 The Borough of Poole plays an important role in meeting the needs, expectations and aspirations of people and communities for affordable, accessible and good quality leisure provision. This is achieved through council funded beaches, greenspace and recreation and complimented by provision from other providers in Poole. This draft strategy reflects the key things we know from listening and engaging with residents and users, reviewing audits and other plans, and from the experience of staff gained from dealing with customers day to day. 4 Shaping the Strategy 4.1 In preparing this strategy it was necessary to review the needs, expectations and aspirations for Leisure Services. This meant taking on board the views of service users, community groups, partner agencies and council services. This revealed not only what Leisure Services should prioritise but also what people could do to help themselves. With this is mind Leisure Services has approached this strategy by making clear its own priorities for delivery whilst promoting a culture across Leisure Services of enabling and partnering with existing and new providers to achieve the outcomes that together we are all working towards. Report version 14 March 2011 Page 1 5 What is the purpose of Leisure Services? 5.1 Leisure Services ensures delivery of the Council’s core duties and responsibilities for managing the provision of beaches, greenspace and recreation in Poole. This includes the Council ensuring neighbourhoods have access to affordable and well managed leisure facilities throughout the Borough. Through this provision, Leisure Services also contributes to the Borough of Poole’s wider strategic issues which are: Safeguard the environment Health and wellbeing Independent and active later in life A great place to grow up Dynamic economy Strong and safe communities 6 Why is a strategy required? 6.1 Leisure Services aims to meet the needs, expectations and aspirations of people, communities, neighbourhoods and partners throughout the Borough. However, with limits to funding and capacity there is a need to reflect upon the key issues and challenges in order to identify and agree the key priorities to achieve by 2015. This strategy presents to a wide audience the nature of these priorities. 7 How was the strategy prepared? 7.1 In developing this strategy, a wide range of people were engaged along with a review of relevant surveys, research and strategies. In addition a stakeholder day was held involving the public, community groups, Councillors and partner organisations. Further drop in sessions were arranged for Leisure Service staff and other Council services to discuss implications on each others work programmes. The strategy included as Appendix A is a draft for members comments and diagrams and layout will be improved once it is approved for public consultation. 8 What is the scope of the strategy? 8.1 This strategy focuses on Council funded beaches, greenspace and recreation facilities and services comprising: Beaches and Coastal Protection including beaches, beach huts, coastal protection and flooding Greenspace including parks and gardens, natural habitats, allotments, woodland and urban trees, road verges and play areas Sports and Recreation including leisure centres, pavilions, sports development and active lifestyles This strategy also has implications for other Councils Services, namely: Report version 14 March 2011 Page 2 Adult Social Care Asset Management and Property Children & Young People Environmental Consumer Protection Legal & Democratic Planning & Regeneration, Transportation 9 Who is the strategy for? 9.1 The strategy is primarily aimed at Elected Councillors Council staff Partner organisations Local community groups Prospective funders. 10 What is not covered? 10.1 Because leisure is a broad theme we highlight here other leisure provision that is not provided by Leisure Services and which is outside the scope of this Strategy. For example: Schools grounds except joint provision with Leisure Services Libraries, arts and museums Leisure provided by Children’s Services Private and charitable sector provision on land not managed by Leisure Services. Leisure Services also manage provision of cemeteries and the crematorium which fall outside of the scope of this strategy, 11 Timescale 11.1 The timescale for the production and adoption of the Leisure Strategy is: Mid May - June - public consultation July - amendments to strategy following consultation July - return to a special Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee 13 September Cabinet – formal adoption 12 Financial Implications 12.1 The delivery of the priorities in the Strategy will be funded from existing revenue budgets, developer contributions, external funding with some specific priorities requiring Prudential borrowing. 13 Legal Implications 13.1 Delivery of the Strategy will ensure that the Council meets its legal duty with regard to nature conservation and listed building protection. Report version 14 March 2011 Page 3 14 Policy Implications 14.1 The Strategy helps ensure that other Council polices are adhered to, for example Allotment Policy, Tree Policy and Events Management Policy. 15 Risk Management Implications 15.1 The priorities set within the Strategy help manage the Council’s risk for example inspection of infrastructure on greenspaces, 16 Equalities Implications 16.1 Leisure Services promotes the Council value of Fairness for All and the work in the strategy will help continue to address inequalities across Poole. There is a particular focus on addressing health inequalities and priority areas and topics of work set out to make a difference to those most in need. 17 Environmental Impact 17.1 Strategic planning of Leisure Services work ensures that the environmental impact of work is minimised and that the work of coastal protection, flood management and nature conservation safeguards the local environment. 18 Staffing Implications 18.1 The delivery of the Leisure Services Strategy is achievable with the current workforce and budget. Future budget savings may have an impact on staffing levels and therefore achievability. 19 Planning Implications 19.1 The Leisure Strategy has been influenced by Planning documents such as the Core Strategy 2009 and the draft Delivering Poole’s Infrastructure DPD, Site Specific Allocations DPD and Dorset Heathlands DPD. 20 Conclusion 20.1 The Leisure Services Strategy will set the future direction, approach and priorities for the Council’s leisure provision from 2011 – 2015. CLIVE SMITH HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES Contact Officers: Name – Clive Smith, Head Of Leisure (01202) 261380 Clare Freeman, Greenspaces Manager (01202) 261377 Background Papers: The Strategy links to a number of Council documents as outlined in the ‘Contributing to Wider Priorities for Poole’ section of Appendix A. Report version 14 March 2011 Page 4