COUNTY BOROUGH OF BLAENAU GWENT REPORT TO: THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SUBJECT: SPECIAL SOCIAL SERVICES AND ACTIVE LIVING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 4th June, 2014 REPORT OF: EXECUTIVE / SCRUTINY OFFICER PRESENT: COUNCILLOR J.J. HOPKINS, Dip.Ed., Dip.Sc., O.St.J. (CHAIR) Councillors M.J. Lewis (Vice-Chair) P. Baldwin G. Bartlett K. Bender, B.Sc. D. Bevan G. Collier M. Cross M.B. Dally N.J. Daniels Mrs. A. Hobbs M. Holland J.E. Mason Mrs. D. Rowberry C. Tidey H. Trollope D. White B. Willis WITH: Head of Education Transformation and Performance Chief Finance Officer Scrutiny Officer/Advisor AND: Mr. D. O’Loughlin, Indoor Bowls Association ITEM SUBJECT ACTION ------ WELCOME The Chair welcomed all Members of the Council to the meeting, who had been invited as this was an important matter for debate. He extended a special welcome to Councillor M. Lewis and thanked Councillor D. Rowberry for the contribution she made whilst she was Vice-Chair. Best wishes were also given to Councillors Mrs. A. Lewis and B. Sutton following their recent treatment in hospital and they were wished a speedy recovery. No. 1 APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received and noted accordingly: Councillors B. Clements, Mrs. A. Lewis, C. Meredith, B. Pagett, B. Scully, B. Sutton, G. Thomas and Ms L. Winnett. No. 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATIONS The following declaration of interest & dispensation was reported:- Councillor M.J. Lewis remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed. It was noted by Mr. O’Loughlin, Representative of the Indoor Bowls Association that Councillor Daniels had resigned as President of the Indoor Bowls Association the previous day. Councillor Daniels confirmed his resignation and added that he had a passive role with the organisation. No. 3 BLAENAU GWENT – INDOOR BOWLS PROVISION The Chair familiarised members of the Indoor Bowls Association who were present in the gallery with the scrutiny process, informing them that only Members of the Social Services and Active Living Scrutiny Committee were able to vote. The Chair informed Members that the Head of Education Transformation and Performance would refer to a letter received from Nantyglo and Blaina Town Council which requested that Members gave consideration to a fifth option i.e. relocation of the Indoor Bowls Provision to Nantyglo Leisure Centre. A Member proposed that the letter was forwarded to officers for investigation and then referred to scrutiny. A Member requested that the letter be read out. The Chair added that he was allowing one representative from the Indoor Bowls Association as an expert witness to speak to Committee and ask questions in the same way as Members. A Member informed the Committee that the decision taken to allow a speaker was sound and that he wanted to hear views on the report. Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Education Transformation and Performance, which provided an update to Scrutiny on indoor bowls provision and for Members to present a way forward with respect to the options available to the Executive/Council. The Head of Education Transformation and Performance spoke to the report and highlighted the main points therein. He pointed out that C.M.T. had requested a building condition survey on the former Abertillery Sports Centre, which was attached to the report. It was also noted that Executive had made a decision in November 2012. The Head of Education Transformation and Performance then went on to outline the options contained in the report and read out the letter received from Nantyglo and Blaina Town Council which requested that a fifth option be considered which was to relocate the Indoor Bowls provision to Nantyglo Leisure Centre. The Officer informed Members that this option had been investigated previously but it could cost in the region of £100,000 more to bring the building up to standard than the facility planned at the Glyncoed Sports Hall, because of the configuration of the building. He informed Members that the BIG Lottery had now agreed a change of use of the Glyncoed building. It was reported that the preferred option was (d) i.e. finance the transfer of the indoor bowls provision to Glyncoed. It was noted by the Chair that if this option was recommended to the Executive that the Indoor Bowls Association continue to use Abertillery Sports Centre until the Glyncoed sports hall was ready. The Head of Education Transformation and Performance agreed although this would be discussed with the Indoor Bowls Association. A Member raised concerns that there had been no consultation with the Indoor Bowls association. The Head of Education Transformation and Performance assured members that regular meetings had taken place and that the Authority had made a commitment to the Indoor Bowls Association, that they were included in the consultation process. A Member said that a condition survey had not been undertaken for Nantyglo Sports Centre. The Head of Transformation and Performance informed Member that a condition survey had been undertaken on all the major leisure assets in readiness for the Leisure Trust. A Member asked if a robust business plan had been completed for option D. The Head of Education Transformation and Performance explained that the community asset transfer business case had been managed by Estates and that the building at Glyncoed was far more sustainable, because it was relatively new. Mr. O’Loughlin pointed out that a business plan had been received and was awaiting comments. The Officer added that a full analysis had taken place to make sure the business case was a robust one. At the invitation of the Chair, Mr. O’Loughlin thanked the Committee for the kind invitation. He informed Members that ten years ago Abertillery Leisure Centre was provided for the provision of Indoor Bowling, but with the building being declared unfit for purpose, the Glyncoed option was offered two years ago. Mr. O’Loughlin stated that the position of the Indoor Bowls Association had never changed and that all they required was a permanent home. Mr. O’Loughlin asked the following questions, which were answered accordingly. Although the option to remodel the Glyncoed Sports Hall had been agreed, why was work never started or carried out. The Head of Education Transformation and Performance explained that the Council’s revenue budget had been reduced significantly and that CMT wanted to make sure the future for indoor bowls was sustainable. He added that the report presented a good way forward. With regards to the rental of the facility, no record or agreement was made with the Indoor Bowls Association. The Head of Education Transformation and Performance informed Members that there had been discussions under the community asset transfer policy. The Chair asked if the proposed rent was negotiable, with the Officer replying yes. A Member asked how the figure of £15,000 per annum was arrived at. Mr. O’Loughlin added that the rent for the facility at Abertillery was £23,000. The Head of Education Transformation and Performance explained that if the Glyncoed proposal was taken forward, then revenue would be reduced as it was a new building. Why was the adaptation costs not included. The Chief Finance Officer informed the Committee that previously the capital programme was set on a three year basis but as it was now set on a six year programme, higher priority was now given to 21st Century Schools for example. A Member asked a question with regards to the Capital Programme. The Chair reminded Members that the Capital programme was not for discussion at this Committee. Would the facility bring in more regeneration to the area? The Head of Education Transformation and Performance said that it would as there was no need for further resource and it could contribute to regeneration. A Member suggested that Option D be recommended to Executive, as long as the Abertillery site remained open whilst work was undertaken on the Glyncoed facility. A Member asked Mr. O’Loughlin if the club would be able to survive in the future. Mr. O’Loughlin said that he was very grateful to Blaenau Gwent and hoped that help would be provided in the future when asked for. The Member pointed out that help from the Authority had diminished whilst a Member drew Members attention to a statement within the report which stated “Revenue support from the Council’s Voluntary Sector Scheme Grant programme will not be available in future years due to revenue cutbacks imposed on the Council.” Mr. O’Loughlin explained that the club had been running satisfactorily with a surplus and that once it was established at Glyncoed, it would received grants. A Member informed the Committee that they should have had business plans as more input would have been of benefit. The Head of Education Transformation and Performance informed Members that some plans had been shown with regards to the development of the Works Site, but there would be no major displacement for the development of the Indoor Bowls at Glyncoed. A Member said that it was absolutely right and proper that a conclusion was reached, but that rental of £15,000 per annum still concerned him although he appreciated that this was negotiable. He added that there was a distinct danger that market value analysis would have an effect on this, but all he wanted to see was betterment on the Indoor Bowls facility. A Member informed the Committee that he was in support of option D, adding that the Indoor Bowls Association was an outstanding bowls club and that this would be a happy conclusion with the club having a permanent home. A Member requested that the Youth Section of the club be taken into consideration who had done a tremendous job and hoped that this facility would be kept in Blaenau Gwent.