Agenda item

Context:

Members considered a report which informed the future of key local services – Leisure, Events, Outdoors, Culture and Youth. 

Key Issues:

The committee were informed that one of the Council’s priorities included the desire to maintain locally accessible services, which aligned with the wider vision of creating sustainable and resilient communities.

However, due to budget pressures there was increased risk to the continued delivery of non-discretionary local services.  Historic operating data and a recent service area review commissioned with Amion Consulting, at a cost of £30,000, identified a need to rationalise the current working model and improve practices within the Culture Service area.

The purpose of the review was for future delivery options and opportunities to be identified.

A piece of work would be undertaken, which would consist of one detailed and comprehensive appraisal of the options relating to providing a sustainable, viable and vital future for Leisure, Events, Culture and Youth. The brief was being developed and would be signed off by the Cabinet Member, it specified that a business strategy emerged which would include all aspects of financial planning, asset considerations, governance, structures and accountability along with a fully-costed business plan.

The review would be undertaken impartially and it was anticipated that it would be finished in readiness for commencement of the first wave of activity in 2016/17 in order to meet the c£400k budget target.

We received a presentation from Amion Consultants.

Member Scrutiny:

• County Councillors D. Edwards and J. Prosser declared personal non-prejudicial interests as Abergavenny Town Councillors.

• County Councillor A. Easson declared a personal non-prejudicial interest as a Caldicot Town Councillor.

• County Councillor S. White declared a personal non-prejudicial interest as a volunteer at the military museum. 

• Members of the committee highlighted that all assets and tourism aspects of towns within Monmouthshire were equally important to the ward members who represented the areas and represented individual identity of towns.  Therefore, the committee had difficulty in identifying how changes could be implemented, without specific areas being negatively affected.

• We recognised the level of history, culture and heritage within Monmouthshire and highlighted the importance of retaining this.  In addition, local community involvement was imperative in retaining services.

• The committee recognised that there were opportunities to be considered, possibility through collaborative working with local experts and volunteer groups.

• We recognised that further detail would need to be considered in order to ascertain alternative methods for service delivery, particularly during the period of budget austerity. 

• Further information was requested regarding costs, in terms of accuracy and validity.  We were informed that figures were headline level, which had been built from a variety of factors, which included cost, income and experience.

• Officers welcomed member comments and credited staff responsible for running services, events and functions.  There was a need to work differently, it was no longer possible to be expected to provide the same service with less resource.

• A question was raised regarding the impact on jobs, if services were reduced.  In response, the committee were informed that this was an early stage of the process and further work had to be undertaken, the aim was to preserve services and jobs.

• The committee welcomed consultant recommendations and were aware of the need to work differently, however, there was a need for the Council to be confident in proposals.  It was recognised that services were more at risk if the review was not progressed by the authority. 

• Members focused on priceless and important assets being retained within the County.  Further information was requested regarding a centralised service.