BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL REPORT TO THE FULL COUNCIL Internal link to previous report PORTFOLIO: LEISURE AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE MEMBER: COUNCILLOR JOHN HARBOUR DATE OF REPORT: 12 th July 2012 Progress on Strategic Objectives PE2 Developing opportunities and sustaining ambition of local residents Action Progress PE2d - Use leisure activities to Through the Burnley Children and Young Peoples tackle a wide range of social trust, a project to improve the coordination of a objectives, including anti-social range of activities for the summer holiday period behaviour and health inequality. is progressing well. There will be a wide range of activities for children and young people aged 0-19 years. The Trust is co-ordinating the publication of a booklet to be distributed through children’s centres, schools, colleges, libraries and youth centres. PE3 Ensuring Services to vulnerable groups are protected wherever possible Action Progress PE3c - Implement the Children The annual review and update of Children’s and and Young People's Plan for Young Peoples plan has been completed. Priority Burnley outcomes for 2012/13 remain the same – drugs and alcohol, Early Years Foundation Stage, school attendance and Domestic abuse with emerging issues of childhood obesity and teenage conceptions. Operational sub groups and action plans have been developed for each of the priorities. Prevention and early intervention work has been commissioned, and Barnardo’s have secured the contract to work with children, young people and their families at the lower levels of need. PL3 Making the Borough Greener Action Progress PL3c - Implement the Borough’s The current Green Spaces Strategy Action Plan Green Space Strategy that covers the period 2007 – 2012 is substantially complete. Work has now started on developing a new Green Spaces Strategy as part of the work being undertaken for the new Burnley Local Plan. The new Green Spaces Strategy will include a detailed assessment of open space provision across the borough, and this will enable the Council to plan open space provision over the coming years, within the context of reducing resources. The work will include an assessment of playing pitch provision that includes both school sites and the new 5-a-side provision at Crow Wood Leisure Centre. I am also pleased to report on the following developments in our Parks: • Officers have met with the Heritage Lottery Fund with a view to developing a lottery bid to fund a wide range of improvements in Thompson Park including the restoration of the Italian Gardens. A report seeking approval for the bid will be coming to a future Executive meeting. • The recent meeting of the Friends of Scott Park approved an outline scheme to naturalise the pond in Scott Park and restore the Scott Memorial. It is hoped that the costs of the restoration work, together with a programme of activities and interpretation can be funded by a Heritage Lottery Grant. • As part of our play improvement programme, the most recently completed schemes include Hordley Street and Owen Street Play Areas as well as the junior play area in Ightenhill Park. I would like to thank the different Park Friends Groups for their support and Ward Councillors who have made contributions from their Ward Opportunities Fund to enable such a wide programme of playground improvements over recent years. PL3d - Implement the Brun Valley An official opening by the Mayor of the new paths Forest Park scheme around Rowley took place on 15 th May and they are being very well used. Detailed designs for the next 3 phases are being finalised and there will be a public consultation event at Burnley Youth Theatre on 16 th July. A grant application has been submitted to the Forestry Commission for £85,000 towards the cost of footpath work and woodland management on these phases and Lancashire County Council are submitting a similar funding application. Work is being undertaken between Sport and Culture to look at opportunities to develop sporting activities, such as cycling and canoeing within the Park. Negotiations have begun with a number of national governing bodies for sport to investigate these opportunities. PF3 Improved Services Action Progress PF3a – Evaluate the options Clarity is still required on the issue of Business appraisal for the delivery of Rates and Officers are waiting on further detail so leisure and recreation facilities that informed decision can be made by the and decide whether to proceed Executive on the best way forward. with a Leisure Trust from April 2013 An all-Member briefing will take place before any decision is made. PF3b – Plan future delivery of Planning for future delivery will begin once a core leisure and recreation decision is reached on the option appraisal. facilities. Sports Events I recently attended the Burnley Community Sports Awards, which was held at the Mechanics Theatre. It was fantastic to see individuals and organisations of all ages being recognised for either achieving in their chosen sport or supporting the wider take up and development of sport. On Saturday 23 June, the Borough played host to the Olympic Torch Relay. The turnout from residents was extremely good and I know from the people I spoke to on the day that they had a wonderful and memorable time. We are now building on this Olympic interest by launching Burnley’s own Olympic Challenge. This initiative was started by Leadership and Community Scrutiny Committee and will enable residents to participate in a wide range of sports. .