Quarterly Operations Report for 2006/07; and Possible Overview and Scrutiny Coverage in 2007/08
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Date Published: 24 May 2007 ENVIRONMENT AND LEISURE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL 04 JUNE 2007 SUPPLEMENTARY PAPERS TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND LEISURE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL The following papers have been added to the agenda for the above meeting. Alison Sanders Director of Corporate Services Page No 5. DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW AND PERFORMANCE 1 - 80 Discussion with the Director of Environment and Leisure concerning the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance, with reference to the fourth quarter’s Quarterly Operations Report for 2006/07; and possible Overview and Scrutiny coverage in 2007/08. This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 5 Quarterly Operations Report Environment & Leisure Department Quarter 4 2006/07 Prepared by Vincent Paliczka Director of Environment & Leisure Version 1 1 Contents 1 Introduction 2 Progress during Previous Quarter 3 Staffing 4 Budget 5 Forward Look Appendix Progress towards Objectives A Appendix Performance Indicators B Appendix Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring C Appendix Integrated Schemes Programme D 2 2 1. Introduction Commentary As well as absorbing the immense amount of work carried out by the department, the fourth quarterly report of the year gives an opportunity for high level reflection of the past year. There have been many notable successes: the introduction of ABC went smoothly and drove up recycling rates to 40% almost immediately the waste PFI was signed – the biggest contract every signed by the Council; Development Control performance stabilised at a very high level; the Local Development Framework progressed very well and at a high quality; the first Local Transport Plan was completed and the second plan approved; income and attendances at Leisure facilities were excellent coupled with high quality and satisfaction levels; the town Centre planning application was approved; the tree review group process was very effective and influenced policy significantly and Lily Hill Park was restored to reflect its former glory and there are others. Operationally, there were no major areas of concern other than the recognition that the low levels of resource made available to the department means that on occasions we fail to meet residents and member’s expectations of quality or works carried out. There is no magic wand in resolving this problem other than to continue to seek efficiencies and to manage expectations. In terms of this quarterly report, Climate Change and the Council signing the Nottingham Declaration is highly significant. As well as the obvious commitment made through the declaration, this report highlights some of the work that has been a key part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the environment. Air pollution monitoring, recycling, environmental partnership work and consistent efforts to reduce energy consumption are only a few examples. The general street scene has also been a focus with a new method of grass cutting (involving re-scheduling other works) looking like being a great success. Dual carriageways have been litter picked which is an expensive operation and weed control has been assigned from Landscape Services to Street Cleansing to allow better efficiency and management control. Members visiting the Town Centre will hopefully notice the chewing gum free streets and much cleaner block paving. The transportation policy section records a high level of educational activity and other highway safety improvement works. The introduction of the SmartConnect software to issue the Council’s e+ card has also given rise to an operational efficiency and added convenience for customers – they no longer have to either queue or re-apply on an annual basis for a new card – the process is now much more streamlined. The end of year finances show that the department will have managed its own internal pressures and contributed to additional financial pressures generated elsewhere in the Council. The financial performance of Leisure remains strong and members may be interested to note that an ‘invest to save’ scheme at Downshire Golf Complex (new power tees) is already greatly exceeding the required return on investment. To end this part of the report, may I take the opportunity of thanking all our staff for an excellent performance and their hard work and to members for their support, feedback and constructive criticism through the year. Environment & Leisure Quarterly Operations3 Report 3 2. Progress during Previous Quarter Commentary CULTURE AND VISUAL ENVIRONMENT Energy Climate Change The Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change was signed on behalf of BFBC by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive on 27 th February 2007. The Declaration acknowledges that climate change is occurring and undertakes to develop plans with local partners and communities to address the causes and impacts of climate change, according to local priorities, within the next two years. The Director of Environment and Leisure has convened an inter-departmental Climate Change Working Group to carry the process forward and has identified within the Department’s service plan for 2007/08 to ‘write and publish an energy strategy for the Borough’ in the Environment and Leisure 2007/08 service plan. There is currently underway a corporate wide audit of environmental practices to help begin the process of developing a climate change strategy. Community and Environmental Development An extension to the Easthampstead and Wildridings Community Centre has started, which will provide an extra meeting space, three further storage rooms and works to the external play area. The project, with a budget of £150,000 is funded mainly by Section 106 income and is due for completion in July. The Intergenerational Art Project started with residents at Hanover Gardens in Hanworth and pupils from the Pines Primary School. They are working with a professional artist and sessions are going very well. Community Arts Development Youth Arts Awards The Youth Arts Award is a national award for young people, similar to the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, and has been set up by Arts Council England and accredited by Trinity Guildhall, London. The award recognizes young people for their achievements and fits in with the new Positive Activities for Youth People requirements. A training day for local artists and staff working with young people to become advisors has been set up to ensure that young people in Bracknell Forest are supported through the Bronze and Silver Awards. Lift Off Dance Festival Over 500 dancers aged from 5 upwards took to the stage at South Hill Park in March. This annual festival is extremely popular, and involved several local schools and youth and community groups and was watched by nearly 600 people. Partnerships BFBC has worked with South Hill Park to carry out an energy audit to enable the Arts Centre to establish more efficient ways of using their energy resources. Community Arts Development invited Creative Partnerships to a meeting to explore extending their work to Bracknell Forest Schools. Creative Partnerships is part of the Arts Council England and is a national initiative which establishes how the art and creative sector 4 4 can contribute towards improvements the schools’ wants to address. As a result of the meeting, Creative Partnerships has awarded South Hill Park with £20,000 to pilot work in 3 schools during 2007/8. Spaces for artists Broadway Studios have received interest from BBC Radio Berkshire. The hope is that through greater coverage, more links can be made with businesses wishing to lease empty or underused commercial spaces to the creative sector. Advice and Developing Partnerships • Artsmark and Creative Partnerships are continually developing with regard to education. • Youth Service partnerships take place through Positive Activities for Young People and youth arts development • UNRAVEL Steering Group Meetings continue to take place. • GOSE, in partnership with Looked After Children’s team have made an Arts and Health/Wellbeing bid to the Big Lottery Fund. • Steering Group Meetings take place regularly for ‘Look Ahead Housing Arts’ • The Creative Network for voluntary and amateur arts sector is to be developed Heritage Heritage Forum Clare Broomfield of the Civic Trust gave a presentation to Forum members about the Trust’s role with specific reference to Heritage Open Days. Dr Peter Holmes was appointed as Chair of the Heritage Forum. Berkshire Records Office The Records Office was inspected in October and achieved a satisfactory status with approval of the Lord Chancellor/Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs to hold public records. The National Archives has also introduced a self assessment for which the BRO scored above the national average in all areas and was awarded a two star rating out of a possible three. Parks and Countryside Play Areas Following assessment of proposals submitted by 9 different companies, Proludic Ltd were selected to supply and fit the upgraded play area for Longhill Park. Selection was aided by the design and implementation of a new scoring system assessing key criteria such as play value, durability, maintenance, visual impact, inclusiveness, safety and cost. Site Management Archaeology and biodiversity gains have been achieved at Caesar’s Camp, a Scheduled Ancient Monument located within the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA). Extensive management of rhododendron has been undertaken to enhance heathland habitat and protect the fabric of this iron-age fort. Rhododendron management has also taken place along Nine Mile Ride to enhance landscape quality, biodiversity and accessibility within this important recreational corridor. Elsewhere within the SPA, a herd of British White cattle have been introduced at Wildmoor Heath to ensure effective grazing of this internationally important heathland site. The cattle have been supplied by the Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). 5 5 Parks & Countryside sites continue to provide excellent opportunities to help keep borough residents active. Football pitches at Westmorland and Farley Wood have been fully utilised throughout the season, standing up very well to the pressures of busy fixture lists.