Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Cllr Andrew Wynne and Cllr Ian Brookfield.

Cllr Stephen Simkins declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7 on the agenda relating to WV Active Business Transformation, as a leisure card member.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting 4 December 2014 be approved as a correct record subject to an amendment to minutes 8 relating to Contacting the Police – Front Office Closures. 

That the minute to amended to read ‘ That Cllr Greg Brackenbridge indicated that he had received and returned the consultation letter; he indicated that the reduction in front office opening hours or closures is regrettable but recognised that police presence on the streets is a preferable use of resources.

There were no matters arising.

[The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for West Midlands has been invited to the Scrutiny Panel to share PCC's plans for 2015-16 and to respond to questions from the panel.]

Judy Foster, Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner (APCC) for the West Midlands and Andrea Gabbitas, from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)West Midlands were in attendance at the meeting and provided a response to the following questions that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:

1. What are the PCC's plans for 2015-16 and how reflective are these of local need?
2. How will the Victims Commission work to ensure local victims of crime are adequately supported?
3. What steps is the PCC taking to protect and improve Policing services across the West Midlands when such significant financial savings need to be made. (An estimated further £100M of cuts to the Policing budget is expected).
4. How will the PCC's office ensure Wolverhampton is able to maximise future opportunities from the PCC?
5. What will be the impact of closure of police stations in relation to the community cohesion and reassurance agenda?

Judy Foster, APPC, thanked the Chair for sharing the lines of enquiry In advance of the meeting, she advised that it had been useful to have opportunity to prepare responses to pinpoint the issues and give more detail.

What are the PCC's plans for 2015-16 and how reflective are these of local need?

The West Midlands Police and Crime Plan ‘Pride in Our Police’ has recently been drafted and is currently under consultation. She advised that the scrutiny panel had received an update on the Wolverhampton Local Policing and Crime Plan 2014/15 at its last meeting, Chief Inspector Tracey Packham, Police liaison offier, provided an update on actions and progress made in relation to neighbourhood specific issues. She confirmed that each of the local ‘Pride in Our Police’ consultations are underway for 2015/16 plan.

The four local priorities are also PCC proirities:

1.    Reducing re-offending

2.    Gangs

3.    Substance misuse

4.    Violence against women and girls

The APCC indicated that the West Midlands receive a settlement from Government to deliver the West Midlands Police and Crime Plan.  She highlighted the challenges and the changes being made to deliver more cost effectively.

A new major ICT programme ‘Accenture’ will deliver savings and improve services through technology. She advised it is also necessary to have an honest approach to policing, to support, empower and develop communities, especially with the force facing a reduction of 2,000 police officers before next year.

The APCC advised that the PCC has a couple of issues of particular interest, as follows:

·         Transport minister / gets economic regeneration in our Cities and boroughs;

·         Keen to develop Pride in the Police and encourage people to report hidden crime – to encourage where it is under reported.

The Chair voiced concerns that the proposed reductions would make neighbourhood policing unsustainable. He was assured that many of the reductions would be as a result of people leaving and that a budget for 450 officers had been set aside to replace some that leave. The APCC advised that the Police  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

[To provide an update on progress which has been made regarding the reduction in subsidy from Blakenhall Community & Health Living Centre.]

Chris Huddart and Robert Johnson attended the meeting to provide a progress report regarding the reduction of subsidy from Blakenhall Community and Healthy Living Centre.

The panel were advised that a savings proposal had been identified as set out in the report.  The centre will reduce current opening hours by 22% to 58 hours a week.  The revised opening hours will be structured around peak times; a full consultation will take place amongst centre users via a customer survey and the equal opportunities monitoring form associated with this will be used to make a revised judgement on the impact this proposal will have on the nine protected equalities characteristics. Panel were advised that as a result of the reduction in opening hours there will also be a reduction in the staffing establishment with a potential loss of ten part-time jobs, however three new part-time posts will be established and one post will have hours reduced from 37 to 25 per week.

In response to questions the panel were advised that there will be an increase in the number of swipe cards to access the facility and the alternative use of the hall and large kitchens to increase income.  Councillors considered the lack of parking for the facility and the opportunity to liaise with St Luke’s School about use of car parks.

Resolved:

That the scrutiny panel endorse the progress which has been made regarding the reduction in subsidy from the Blakenhall Community Helath and Living Centre

[To provide an update report regarding the progress achieved to date to transform the business and discuss further opportunities to increase the participation rates across the city through the utilisation of the mainstream facilities.]

Chris Huddart, Head of Service, Leisure and Communities and Cllr Elias Mattu, Leisure and Communities, were in attendance to provide a progress report relating to the transformation of business and future opportunities to increase the participation rates across the city through the utilisation of mainstream facilities.

The panel were advised that Bert Williams Leisure Centre, Aldersley Leisure Village and Central Baths have developed models that ensure savings can be met and that they remain open for business. The new business approach, outlined in the report and on line booking facilities have increased demand, efficiency and use of facilities.  The Cabinet member outlined a number of the achievements to date and concluded his presentation with a comment that this leisure offer is the best offer in the country for flexibility, but that there is still more to do.

The Chair welcomed the work that has been achieved and he concurred that the leisure card is very good.

There followed a period of discussion where some comments were highlighted to the Cabinet Member, as follows:

·         Cllr Richard Whitehouse indicated that there was a feeling that the over 60’s members of the Bert Williams Leisure Centre are subsidising others who use all facilities and that this was also the case at Cosely.

·         Bantock Park ‘Pitch and Putt’ should be promoted to attract more visitors and snack bars profile should be raised as a place to visit.

·         Welcome the competitive pricing of monthly leisure card

·         Good business sense to reduce 40 different types of payment to six to get people through the door

The Cabinet Member confirmed that there is work on-going to look at maximising all outlets and income raising potential to generate more income from leisure in the city. The Panel was advised that level two coaches and some instructors have recently been appointed to build the business and class availability.

Cllr Greg Brackenbridge asked for clarification about the induction process for gym membership and indicated that the waiting list to be inducted was a barrier, when often people have been or are members of other gyms and know about the equipment.  The booking system was also felt to be a barrier until it is working properly.

The Panel welcomes the funding that had been secured through bids to Sports England, to refurbish Central Baths, and for the £18.6M funding for Bert Williams Centre.

The Chair indicated the importance of linking public health into the leisure offer, the obesity challenge for the city warrants more shared commissioning and opportunity in the city. He further suggested more volunteering and work experience that cuts across the health and fitness agenda.  The Cabinet Member advised that training is being looked at and a nutritionist has been recruited to work with and train instructors, life guards and assistants to free up level three instructors.

The Chair welcomed the longer term strategy for sport and leisure in the city and congratulated officers, the Cabinet Member and staff at the leisure centres for the encouraging progress  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.