Agenda item

To ask the Committee to confirm that they wish to continue with the review, agree the proposed scope and methodology and establish a Task and Finish Group.

The Committee received the report of the Housing and Environmental Health Service Manager which asked them to confirm that they wished to continue with the review, agree the proposed scope and methodology and establish a Task and Finish Group.

Members noted that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) funded Community Centres and their sustainability remained a key issue for Members and residents alike. Officers explained that it was important to understand their current position in the community and how tenants and residents currently use them, and how they may wish to use them in future.

The Committee were informed that reviews of Community Centres had previously taken place, most notably in 2010 following a report to the Social Board. The decision was made to sell the poorly used centre at Womersley and convert the centre at Kellington into a residential unit. This left the Council with the current 10 centres:

·           Anne Sharpe Centre, St Edwards Close, Byram

·           Westfield Court Centre, Westfield Court, Eggborough

·           Coultish Centre, Charles Street, Selby

·           Cunliffe Centre, Petre Avenue, Selby

·           Harold Mills House, North Crescent, Sherburn-in-Elmet

·           Lady Popplewell Centre, Beechwood Close, Sherburn-in-Elmet

·           Grove House, Grove Crescent, South Milford

·           Calcaria House, Windmill Rise, Tadcaster

·           Kelcbar, Kelcbar Close, Tadcaster

·           Rosemary House, Rosemary Court

Members acknowledged that reviewing the Community Centres had been suggested as a piece of work in June 2015, following a proposal from Councillor Buckle. Primary concerns had been raised around the poor use of the centres, running costs and lack of community engagement. Considerable discussions had taken place between the Committee and Lead Officer for Community Support, but it was felt that a Task and Finish Group was not required at that stage. However, it was agreed that work would be undertaken to try and address the issues raised by Committee as to the use of the centres.

Officers explained that the review was intended to consider how Community Centres were currently being used and how better use could be made of them in the future. It was proposed that the scope of the review would:

·           Determine current level of use and public satisfaction with the centres.

·           Look at current management models at each centre.

·           Confirm the cost of providing the centres to the HRA.

·           Explore potential alternative delivery models.

·           Explore whether the current service offer meets the future needs of tenants and residents; and if not, what future model might best achieve this.

It was proposed that the review be completed over a 6 month period and would include the following:

·           Scrutiny Committee to decide Task and Finish Group Members.

·           Officers to provide base line information (costs, condition, level of usage, current management arrangements and constitutions) to support initial fact finding work.

·           Co-operative between Scrutiny Committee and Tenant Scrutiny Panel to generate a consultation survey.

·           Tenant Participation Officer to oversee tenant and resident consultation.

·           Site visits to the Community Centres to help understand the usage.

·           Benchmark against other local authority practices in relation to Community Centres, with the potential for site visits.

Members agreed that different solutions may be appropriate for each centre, and a wide range of options should be considered.

The Committee acknowledged that there was a great deal of potential in a number of the centres which had the capacity for much more use by the wider community, and which could be marketed better; however, it was noted that there was hesitancy by the managing committees of some of the centres to allow more people to use them.

Members also noted that Selby District Council staff were based in some of the centres around the District, such as Calcaria House in Tadcaster and Harold Mills House ion Sherburn in Elmet. The importance of meaningful discussions and consultation with the management committees of the centres was emphasised by Members.

Lastly, it was agreed that membership of the Task and Finish Group should be decided by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

i.              To confirm that the review of Community Centres continue.

ii.            To agree the proposed scope and methodology as set out in the report.

iii.           To establish a Task and Finish Group, the membership of which would include 4 Councillors, the details of which were to be decided by the Chair and Vice Chair of the Scrutiny Committee.