Minutes - Poole Sports Council - 9Th February 2005

BOROUGH OF POOLE

MINUTES

POOLE SPORTS COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

9TH FEBRUARY 2005

The meeting commenced at 7.00 p.m. and concluded at 8.45 p.m.

Present:

R. Bailey – Chairman B. Moore – Treasurer R. Yates – Vice Chairman R. Harris – Secretary N. Williams – Poole Sports Trust M. Acreman – Poole Harbour Canoe Club G. Goulden – Poole Harbour Canoe Club/Dolphin Bowmen Ms M Wettenhall – Fitness League Ms V Bailey – Poole Recreational Development Officer R. Woodrow – Poole Recreational Development Officer Mrs J Holland – Poole Swimming Club D. Warhurst – Petanque Ms J Satchell – Netball Ms J Taylor – Netball T Darlinton – Hockey P Impett – Athletics A Ferris – Borough of Poole Leisure Services C Smith – Head of Poole Leisure Services M Towner – Poole Runners

1. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from C. Sugden and K. Matthews.

2. WELCOME

The Chairman welcomed Virginia Bailey and Richard Woodrow who had both recently been appointed as Recreation Development Officers in Leisure Services for the Borough of Poole. He hoped that they would work closely with the Sports Council and sporting organisations in Poole. Virginia and Richard thanked the Chairman for the welcome, and confirmed that they hoped to work with the Sports Council and its representatives very closely.

1 3. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting held on 8th December were considered. The Chairman and various members raised some corrections on the Minutes as follows:-

Minute 2 (Minutes) – The second paragraph be replaced as follows:

“Peter Berry reported that the tiles at the Jacuzzi were still not right and Alan Ferris agreed to keep an eye on this. In regard to Poole Swimming Club, Alan Ferris reported that the Club would be making an application for lightweight starting blocks in the future. In regard to the partnership working on leisure centres, Alan reported that he hoped to have a display board and workshop in operation where Officers could explain the proposals. This would be likely to happen in 3-5 weeks time. Councillor Wilson welcomed the progress made in regard to the appointment of Sports Development Officers, and hoped that they would be able to work with the schools as well as local clubs”.

Minute 4 (E) – Poole Swimming Club – Delete the words “and foam” at the end of the preamble.

Minute 7 (D) – Canoeing – The word “Gus” be replaced with the word “Geoff”.

Minute 7 (E) – Archery – The preamble to read as follows:

“Geoff reported that the new Archery Club was hoping to get started in May 2005. the Regional Chairman of the Governing Body had inspected the proposed site and had expressed an interest in holding an international even their some time in the future”.

RESOLVED that the Minutes, as corrected above, be agreed.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

In connection with Poole Swimming Club’s requirements for starting blocks, Alan Ferris reported that he was currently looking at the condition of the blocks at the Dolphin Centre and at Rossmore. He was concerned that some of the blocks might cause more damage than would be appropriate if they were installed at Rossmore, and he would look at this closely when the new blocks arrived, which was expected in the near future.

In connection with Poole Swimming Club’s wish for an electronic timing system, Alan reported that he had contacted the Sport England and had advised the Swimming Club they needed to contact the Swimming Development Local Co- Coordinator in Poole. Jean Holland confirmed that this person, Jane Wilcox, was known to the Swimming Club and that they would make the appropriate contact.

RESOLVED that the update Report be noted.

2 5. FINANCIAL UPDATE

The Treasurer circulated the Financial Statement, as at the 5th February 2005, indicating that the balance at the bank comprised £755.24. The only change since the last report was the addition of bank interest.

RESOLVED that the Financial Statement submitted by the Treasurer be approved.

6. APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT AID

a) General

Alan Ferris reported that the total budget available for 2004/5 was £5,338. The amount of grants awarded so far comprised £4,750 and £201 had been returned from the Bowling Club for the Blind, leaving a balance of £951 to be allocated. He suggested that because the amount of the grants to be considered at this meeting exceeded this amount, some should be phased into 2004/5 and others into 2005/6.

RESOLVED that the suggestion by Alan Ferris about phasing the grants be agreed.

b) James Knill – Sailing

James is aged 16 and a member of Poole Yacht Club and a member of the National Junior Squad. He had been selected to represent Great Britain at the Mirror Class World events in Sweden in August 2005. In the last two years, James’s most significant results were South Zone Champion in 2003 and National Youth Champion in 2004. His ambition was to progress through the Youth Training System into other dinghy classes, and to represent Great Britain at future European and World Championships. His application for funding was towards training costs in 2005 and participating in 8 National Competitions and in the World Competition in Sweden. His application was supported by his National Coach.

RESOLVED that James Knill be awarded a grant of £250 out of the 2005/6 year allocation.

c) Kelly Lowey – Baton Twirling

Kelly was aged 16 and a member of the Fifth Element Dance and Twirl Team and the National Baton Twirling Association England Team. She had been selected to represent Great Britain at the European Championships in Italy in April 2005. Her most recent significant competition results were 2003 Junior National Duet Champion, and in 2004 third place in the Junior Strut. Kelly had the ambition to achieve qualification at national senior level and was hoping to qualify for the 2006 World Championships. Her application represented costs towards representing Great Britain in Italy in April 2005 and towards the costs incurred in competing in the National/Regional competitions. Her application was endorsed by her Coach.

3 RESOLVED that Kelly Lowey be awarded a grant of £250 out of the year allocation for 2004/5.

d) Phoebe Jeffrey – Volleyball

Phoebe was aged 15 and a member of the Wessex Volley Ball Club and the England Junior Girls Volley Ball Squad. In the last two years, Phoebe had been the Under 14 Beach Volley Ball Champion in 2003 and the Under 14 and Under 16 Beach Volley Ball Champion in 2004. She trained for approximately 8 hours each week with extra National Cup training sessions at weekends as required. Her application was towards training fees/camps and specialist training kit. Her application was supported by the English Volley Ball Association.

RESOLVED that Phoebe Jeffrey be awarded a grant of £250 out of the year allocation for 2005/6.

e) Ryan Stickland – Trampolining

Ryan was aged 9 and was a member of the Olga Club at Rossmore Leisure Centre. During the last two years, Ryan had achieved 3rd place in the South West Closed Championships, 4th place in the British Nationals, 2nd place in the National Syncro and had been graded 15th. Ryan’s application was towards the cost of coaching, entering competitions, travel and accommodation and was supported by his Coach.

RESOLVED that Ryan Stickland be awarded a grant of £250 out of the year allocation for 2005/6.

f) Megan Griffiths – Pony Club Mounted Games Team

Megan lived at Canford Heath and was a member of the West Hants Mounted Games Team. She had recently received notification that she had been selected to ride for Great Britain at the Pony Club Mounted Games Team International in Adelaide in April. Megan was aged 15. 2005 was the last opportunity for her to compete in this particular tournament. In the last two years, she had been 2nd in the Area Competition, 4th in the Zone Competition and 8th in the National Finals. A letter from the Pony Club in support of the application had been received.

RESOLVED that Megan Griffiths be awarded a grant of £250 out of the allocation for 2004/5 year.

g) Peter Young – Cycle Speedway

Peter was aged 36 and a member of the Poole Cycle Speedway Club and the Great Britain Cycle Speedway Team. He was competing in the 2005 World Cycle Speedway Championships in Australia during February/March, including the World Individual Championships and the Great Britain vs. Australia Test Series. Peter competed regularly at National and International Level throughout the UK and the World, and during 2004 had British Individual Finalist, British Team Finalist, 3rd in the

4 World Cup Final and 2nd in the Home International. Peter’s application was endorsed by Poole Cycle Speedway Club.

RESOLVED that Peter Young be awarded a grant of £250 out of the 2004/5 year allocation.

7. LEISURE SERVICES UPDATE

Alan reported that in regard to the Sports Centre’s contract, there had not been much progress since the last meeting of the Sports Council. The details were with the lawyers. The proposed Concessionaires intended to invest some £2m, which would cover improvements to some of the Council’s facilities. These improvements and precise details were to be incorporated in a legal agreement in order for the protection of the Concessionaires and the Council. Details were also being finalised in regard to the cost pricing structure which needed to take account of Access to Leisure schemes. The Concessionaires were also going to be responsible for the maintenance of the buildings and this element was being independently checked. All staff currently employed would transfer with the contract and retain pension arrangements as now. It had been intended to bring in to operation the new proposals and new management arrangements with the Concessionaire as from the 1st April 2005, but probably this would not now happen until June.

The Chairman mentioned that various Sports Clubs and organisations were anxious as to whether there would be changes to showers, pitches and facilities, and hoped that the investment by the Councils’ Concessionaire would improve some of this.

Clive explained that the letting of the contract generated an extra £2m of investment and this was being spread over the Dolphin Centre, Ashdown and Rossmore. The proposals were being examined by Officers and the Concessionaires and had to be affordable and appropriate. The whole intention was that the proposal raised the standard of facilities, otherwise there would be no point in proceeding. There had to be a balance between improvements which generated more income and improvements which enhanced the facilities, but not necessarily generated extra income. Despite the spending of £2m, there was bound to be items which could not be covered on the first part of the programme and it was hoped that by producing extra income, this would generate some money to carry out additional improvements. The contract would be for 10 years and the track record of the company chosen had been fully examined.

Tom Darlington pointed out that our incentives were currently joint use with schools, and he suggested that the Education Authority should be investing more money into these facilities as they benefited substantially in use. Clive explained that the education funding was particularly tight in Poole and in the main, was controlled by schools themselves with inadequate funding for their own premises, let alone those which were jointly used. There was always conflict between use by schools and students and use by the public and whilst it was appreciated that use by schools did cause substantial wear and tear, this had to be balanced about the times of use which schools were allowed.

5 Peter Impett raised the question about litter and vandalism which made the facilities dirty unattractive to adults using the premises. Clive explained that there were always these sort of problems when a joint use facility was incorporated on a school campus, and there was an ongoing discussion about the use of premises by pupils for lunch and other recreational time periods. Whilst there was a benefit to be had from purchase of items from machines, there was a counter production in regard to litter and access. There was a particular problem at Ashdown where the school was too small, and this meant that pupils spilled over into the sporting facilities, particularly at lunch time.

A discussion then ensued about consultation with the Council’s Concessionaires (SLM), whereby users and even current non-users could meet with representatives and explain their own thoughts and ideas which would improve and enhance existing facilities and possibly generate extra income. This might be able to incorporate consultation with the existing Joint User Committees. Clive agreed to look at this particular point and see how this could best be taken forward.

The Chairman raised the question of the future of the Sports Council, particularly at the end of June, when the Secretary would no longer be in Post. Clive explained that Leisure Services were keen to see the Sports Council continue in an appropriate form in the future and would support this when Bob Harris retired. There needed to be a discussion about how this would operate in the future, and how the Council and Clubs and organisations could benefit. He suggested that the Officers of the Sports Council have some preliminary discussions with himself and the appropriate Officers of Leisure Services.

RESOLVED that:

i. The update in regard to the Council’s letting of sports centre contracts be noted and the opportunity for Sports Clubs and organisations, including the Sports Council, to be consulted be welcomed; and ii. The Officers of the Sports Council discuss with the Head of Leisure Services and the appropriate Officers how the future can operate.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a) Presentation to Bob Harris

The Chairman presented to Bob Harris on behalf of himself and the Sports Council, a small gift in appreciation of his service over many years. Bob thanked the Chairman for the gift of the Commemorative Crown issued by the Royal Mint and wished the Sports Council well in the future and was confident that the closer working with Leisure Services would benefit both.

b) Growing Community Sport Leaflet

The Chairman referred to the leaflet issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and circulated around the table.

6 c) Lottery Funding/Grants/General assistance

A discussion took place amongst members concerning the way in which Lottery grants were sought and awarded, and the possibility of funding by Sport England and other bodies. It was suggested that Leisure Services might be able to find out the various opportunities for Sports Clubs to participate in funding schemes and invite someone from Sport England to attend a future meeting. Clive agreed to look into this possibility.

d) Fitness League 75 th Anniversary

Margaret reported that the Fitness League was celebrating its 75th Anniversary at the Albert Hall on 16th April. The Committee congratulated the League on its achievement and asked the Secretary to write an appropriate letter of congratulations.

e) Archery

Geoff reported on the success of the formation of the Dolphin Bowmen and promised to keep the Committee updated in the future.

8. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED that the next meeting of the Committee be held on Wednesday 13th April 2005 at the Civic Centre, Poole.

Chairman