SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT)
MINUTES of an extraordinary meeting held on
27th February, 2007.
Present: Councillor N.P. Hodges
(Chairman); Councillors R.J. Bertin, Ms. L. Burnett, J. Clifford,
E. Hacker, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen, Mrs. A.J.
Preston, Mrs. S.I. Sharpe, S.T. Wiliam and M.R. Wilson.
Also present: Councillors R.F. Curtis,
A.M. Ernest and G. John.
860
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
These were received from Councillors Miss J.
Cole, A.D. Dobbinson, Mrs. A.J. Moore and W.C. Vaughan.
861
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -
Councillors E. Hacker, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen and
S.T. Wiliam declared an interest in agenda item no. 4 in respect of
Glebefields, Sully in that they were members of the Welsh Church
Act Estate Committee and vacated the room during the consideration
thereof.
Councillor Mrs. S.I. Sharpe also declared an
interest in the same matter in that relatives were members of the
Club referred to in the report; she vacated the room during the
consideration thereof.
862
LEISURE AND TOURISM STRATEGY RESEARCH -
In response to a request for consideration
from Councillor M.R. Wilson, Ms. B. Noon and Ms. R. Thomas gave a
comprehensive presentation on the above. The research had
encompassed a five part plan to target:
1.
Residents across England (identified markets).
2.
Residents of Wales (outside the Vale).
3.
Residents of the Vale (Citizens Panel).
4.
Conversion research with recipients of Glamorgan Heritage Coast and
Countryside brochure.
5. Desk research of
information already available.
The aims and objectives in respect of 1 and 2
above had been to provide quantitative information on leisure and
tourism activities of people in identified target market areas,
namely to gauge awareness / perceptions of the Vale as a tourist
destination; determine who visited and why and for how long and
which area / attractions; measure satisfaction levels with
available facilities; and understand why people did not visit and
what would encourage them to do so. Statistics relating to
the above formed part of the information presented. As
regards the aims and objectives of parts 3, 4 and 5, it was
explained that those had been to establish respectively what
proportion of residents of the Vale pursued leisure activities
within the Vale, whether those people from across the UK who had
requested a 2005 Glamorgan Heritage Coast and Countryside brochure
had visited the area for leisure purposes, and the key messages
from the research already conducted respectively.
The following recommendations had been drawn
up as a consequence of the research undertaken:
§
tourism to include Vale of Glamorgan branding, as Glamorgan
Heritage Coast and Countryside branding was weaker in
comparison;
§
major advertising campaign required focusing on South West England
in order to increase awareness;
§
target younger audiences in England to promote beaches;
§
target older audiences in England to promote historic aspects of
the Vale and scenery;
§
work with hoteliers in the area to attract English visitors for
short breaks;
§
better information about transport links and improved shopping
facilities would bring in more visitors;
§
continue to highlight and promote the natural beauty of the
area;
§
beaches and scenery attracting higher income families to the Vale
so emphasis should be given to developing quality children’s
facilities;
§
continue to promote the regeneration work taking place,
particularly in Barry;
§
priority investment on development and promotion should be Barry
Island and Barry.
Subsequent discussion focussed, inter alia, on
the numbers of people surveyed which had resulted in the above
recommendations being drawn up although the point was made that, in
fact, not all the sample sizes could be considered unrepresentative
with 511 adults having been interviewed as part of the OMNIBUS
survey and 770 responses received from the Citizen’s Panel (a rate
of 61%) and that the key messages from each element of the survey
were similar. As regards the methodology adopted, concern was
expressed at the lack of Member involvement in the process - both
in terms of potential contributions to the questions asked and in
the scrutiny of the cost-effectiveness of the approach undertaken.
It was explained that Beaufort Research had been commissioned
to conduct the OMNIBUS and on-street surveys to ensure
impartiality, with the OMNIBUS study being relatively inexpensive
although the labour-intensive on-street survey had necessarily cost
more; and Members were assured that the data obtained through the
use of the Citizen’s Panel, however, had been extremely
cost-effective.
Consideration then turned to the need to
identify the type of tourism best suited to the divergent areas of
the Vale, given that the survey had evidenced that the coast,
scenery and peacefulness had been cited as common reasons for
visits to the area. That would affect the branding of individual
areas within the Vale which, in turn, would help promote the
attractions of the Vale both within the locality as well as further
afield. Currently 130,000 copies of the brochure (produced in
partnership with Bridgend Council) were disseminated and a
downloadable PDF version now appeared on the Council’s website.
Reference was made to the continuing financial constraints facing
the Council and the need for aspirations for improvement to be
realistic; reference was also made to the current marketing
allocation of £60k. which had brought in some 3.5m. visitors
generating an estimated £133m. It was accepted that there was
ongoing internal discussion relating to certain statistics - what
was not, however, in question was the need for investment in, for
example,
achieving an enhanced tourism product, along
with improved facilities, infrastructure, signage and public
toilets. It was anticipated that the draft Tourism Strategy
would be submitted to this Committee for consideration in the near
future.
RECOMMENDED – T H A T officers be thanked for
their input both into the presentation and the subsequent
discussions, and that further consideration be given to matters
raised above in conjunction with consideration of the draft Tourism
Strategy.
Reason for recommendation
To recognise the input of officers and to
consider matters further.
863
GLEBEFIELDS, SULLY -
Councillor A.M. Ernest had submitted a request
for consideration in respect of the above, specifically “To
re-consider as a matter of urgency the Council’s desire to acquire
this land, currently under the trusteeship of the Welsh Church Act
Estate Committee so as to bring the land into beneficial ownership
for the purpose of providing much needed playing fields and public
open space within the community of Sully and the East Vale district
in general.”
The Glebefields were owned by the Welsh Church
Act Estate and administered by a Council Committee of the same
name. That Committee had recently resolved that the land be let to
a Club subject to clarification of certain policies of that Club
but had subsequently deferred further consideration of the matter
pending, inter alia, the outcome of this Committee’s deliberations.
It was reported that the land was allocated for playing fields in
the adopted Vale of Glamorgan Unitary Development Plan and had
benefit of a planning consent submitted on behalf of Sully
Centurions Cricket Club in 1998 (but not implemented) for a sports
field and associated clubhouse with infrastructure, incorporating
land for a “village green” together with footpaths and woodland and
shrub planting.
Councillor Ernest also drew attention to the
history of the site, to its location opposite the church and, inter
alia, to the debate within the community of Sully back in
1998 concerning the desirability of public access to the land. As
evidenced above, the planning permission at that time had ensured
an element of public access; whilst having regard to the financial
constraints facing the Council, consideration needed to be given,
he suggested, to the “added value” to the community of the
potential grant of a 25 year lease to a private undisclosed Club.
Mr. David Sylvester, Treasurer of the said Club, then addressed the
Committee. He referred to the 1998 scheme as being a
completely different development (which the Club could not have
afforded to implement alone) but that it was the intention of the
Club that, should the lease be granted, the facilities would be
open to the public. The Club was fully aware of the limited
sporting facilities in the eastern Vale and currently had to travel
to various sites throughout the Vale which were not entirely
suitable in terms of complying with health and safety requirements.
Furthermore, the Club played in the premier league of Wales, had a
membership of some 60 juniors and 60 seniors, undertook coaching in
schools thereby providing a service to the community, and was in
danger of disappearing if suitable facilities – for the provision
of which the Club had raised c. £12k. – could not be secured.
Following further discussion on the above,
including the fact that no firm proposals for the future of the
land had yet been considered together with the point that the land
would, if leased to the Club, be brought into leisure/sport related
use, it was
RECOMMENDED –
(1) T H A T the
Welsh Church Act Estate Committee be urged to make progress in
reaching a speedy and satisfactory outcome in respect of the future
use of the Glebefields.
(2) T H A T this Committee be
kept informed as any potential scheme progressed.
(3) T H A
T this Committee voice its support for the above mentioned
Club.
Reasons for recommendations
(1) & (3) To notify the Welsh Church Act
Committee.
(2) For
information.
(Note: Councillor A.M. Ernest spoke on the
above with the consent of the Committee).
864
PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING AND OTHER SORTS OF IMAGING IN THE VALE OF
GLAMORGAN COUNCIL’S PARKS AND OPEN SPACES (DEER) -
Given that child protection was a clear
responsibility of the Council, consideration was given to adopting
specific arrangements (the Policy) for the photographing, filming
and other forms of imaging of children in the Council’s parks and
open spaces. Generally, the report proposed that no
photographs, filming or other imaging should take place of children
or young people in parks and open spaces without written
permission. Professional photography, films or other images
commissioned by the Parks and Grounds Maintenance Division would
also be required to comply with the conditions as down in the
Policy. A copy of the application form detailing the
conditions that were intended to form the future Policy were
appended to the report as was a draft of the receipt that would be
issued indicating permission to take particular images. It
was noted that such a Policy would be difficult to enforce but it
was considered important for the Council to have a formal policy in
line with many other Councils in order to be able to take effective
action in the Courts should such a course of action be deemed
necessary.
Whilst accepting that child protection was of
paramount importance, Members questioned the intent behind the
introduction of such a Policy and the practicalities of its
implementation together with the level of publicity to be given
should its introduction be approved. It was explained that the
intent behind the Policy was not to prevent the photography of
children in family or similar settings, that it had not been the
original intention to publicise the Policy widely, and that the
introduction of the Policy was purely to help safeguard children
and demonstrate the commitment of the Council to that end should
inappropriate behaviour concerning the photography of children in
parks and open spaces be identified. Members expressed concerns at
what were viewed as draconian measures in the report and also at
the inconsistency proposed in respect of the implementation of what
would be Council Policy. Concerns were also expressed at the
wording of the application form as appended to the report.
In view of the above, it was
RECOMMENDED - T H A T Cabinet be requested to
consider the concerns of the Committee as set out above and seek
the views of child protection agencies on the content of any
proposed Policy, together with those of the Director of Legal and
Regulatory Services (and Counsel if necessary) on the wording of
the draft application form as appended to the report.
Reason for recommendation
To help safeguard the interest of children in
parks and open spaces.
(Note: Councillors R.F. Curtis, A.M.
Ernest and G. John spoke on the above matter with the consent of
the Committee).
865
SPORTS, ARTS AND PLAY DEVELOPMENT TEAM - ANNUAL REPORT (DEER) -
Members were informed of the work undertaken
by the Sports, Arts and Play Development Team during 2006. It
was noted that the Annual Report 2006 was the first such annual
review for the newly formed Team who contributed to both the
Council’s corporate priorities of community leadership, community
wellbeing and lifelong learning, and the objectives of the WAG to
increase the number of people accessing quality sports, arts and
play opportunity. Attention was drawn to the key words that
encompassed the Sports, Arts and Play Development Team’s vision,
namely quality, partnership and sustainability, none of which could
be achieved independently. As a consequence and wherever
possible, therefore, the Team had worked in partnership with
voluntary and statutory agencies to share expertise, pool resources
and maximise success. Only two members of the Team were
permanent Council employees and, as such, there was a high level of
vulnerability for the future of the service and inherent
difficulties when planning the strategic direction of the
Team. The Annual Report then detailed measures taken in
sports, arts and play development together with future planned
developments and issues for consideration in the future.
Particular reference was made to the
desirability of having a Gallery Manager/Development Officer whose
remit would include overseeing the new Gallery Exhibition area in
the Town Hall. It was recognised, however, that whilst there were
opportunities for grant from the Arts Council, such grant would be
dependent upon match funding. The continuing financial constraints
upon the Council would likely, therefore, mean that little real
progress would be made in respect of the above and certain of the
other suggestions for improvements to the service. It was reported,
however, that grant had been obtained for a further 5x60 Play
Officer and that the Department was hopeful that funding for the
post of Play Development Officer would be extended after March
2008.
Following further discussion on the above and
related matters, tribute was paid to the efforts of the Team in
meeting the varying challenges given the ongoing difficult
circumstances.
RECOMMENDED –
(1) T H A
T the Sports, Arts and Play Team’s Annual Report 2006 be endorsed
and similar reports submitted to this Committee yearly.
(2) T H A
T, given the vital role of sport, art and play in meeting the
Council’s objectives of Health and Wellbeing and Lifelong Learning,
Cabinet be urged to make available adequate funding to support the
same.
(Note: Councillor G. John spoke on the above
matter with the consent of the Committee).