Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Members to the Board meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Simon Henig, Terry O’Neill and Tim Swift. Cllr Richard Henry substituted for Cllr Henig and Cllr David Christie substituted for Cllr Swift. In addition, Cllrs Barry Lewis and Blake Paine had informed the Board that they would be arriving late due to transport delays. Iain Varah was unable to attend due to transport problems on the day.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Board reviewed the membership and terms of reference for the year ahead.

The Chair drew particular attention to the Board’s Sport and Culture Leadership Essentials Programmes for councillors and encouraged Members to attend and/or volunteer to speak about the work of the Board.

The Chair noted that Lead Members are discussing appointments to the 2015/16 Outside Bodies.

Decision

The Board noted the membership and agreed the terms of reference.

Actions

Officers will liaise with Lead Members to confirm 2015/16 nominations to Outside Bodies.

Board Members interested in attending and/or speaking at the Sport and Culture Leadership Essentials Programmes for councillors are invited to follow-up with Siraz Natha.

The Board were invited to comment on and agree the work programme for 2015/16.

The Chair highlighted the impact that the outcome of the 2015 Spending Review and the devolution agenda will have on the Board’s work in the coming year. The Chair also noted opportunities for working closely with the Community Wellbeing portfolio to support the role of culture and sport in promoting better public health. In addition, the Chair highlighted the fact that Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) Ministers have pledged to increase participation in sport and to develop the first Culture White Paper in 50 years, and that the Board should play a key role in the conversations leading up to publication of this paper.

Board members highlighted the importance of understanding the most common barriers to participation in sport and how these varied between places. Councils play a key role in supporting people to overcome those barriers. The Board identified two ways in which local authorities might encourage greater participation in sport: first, by investing funds in organised sport; second, by promoting active lifestyles. It was noted that the Government will be launching a programme to tackle childhood obesity in the Autumn, which could tie in with the Board’s priorities.

Decision

The Board agreed on the draft work programme as it stands and asked officers to take forward the points made by members and report back at the next meeting on whether any future amendments might be required.

Actions

Officers to take on board the points made by members and report back on the work programme at next meeting.

Officers to reflect Members’ comments on sport and physical activity in the LGA’s response to the Government’s consultation on a new sports strategy (see item 4).

The Board were invited to consider the new Government’s sports strategy consultation paper and the LGA’s response to the consultation, which closes on 2^nd October 2015. In particular, the Board were asked to provide a steer on the devolution of national sports funding to councils and local partners.

The Board identified the development of a new sports strategy as an opportunity to promote the role that councils have played in integrating physical activity into public health policy. The Board were keen for devolution of funding to councils and local partners where national approaches to raising participation have not succeeded, and felt that a blend of public and private sector investment was important for the effective promotion of active lifestyles at a local level. Members highlighted councils and local partners’ unique ability to reach communities and encourage people to be more active, supporting a breadth of participation. The Board felt that different models were appropriate for different areas as areas face very different challenges and opportunities. These included an asset based approach, social enterprises, partnerships with the private sector, and bringing different sports together to attract maximum value.

Decision

The Board agreed that the lead members could signoff the LGA’s response to the Government’s sports strategy consultation on behalf of the Board.

Actions

Officers to amend the LGA’s consultation response in light of the Board’s discussion, seek lead members’ sign-off, and then submit the response before the deadline of 2^nd October 2015.

The Board considered the Leadership for Libraries Taskforce’s first six-month report. The Chair noted the impressive early achievements of the Taskforce, particularly securing funding for the rollout of WiFi to English public libraries.

Members discussed the report’s recommendations and agreed that the Chair would feedback to Paul Blantern and Kathy Settle.

More broadly, the Board said that they would like the Taskforce to focus on sharing good practice, and further information on “e-lending” by libraries.

Decision

The Board noted the report.

Action

The Chair to write to Paul Blantern and Kathy Settle to feedback on the Board’s discussion.

The Board received an updated version of the programme for the Culture, Tourism and Sport annual conference, to be held in Leicester from 24 – 25 February 2016.

The Chair noted that the study tours (particularly sport) will reflect partnerships between the county, city and district councils.

Decision

The Board noted the conference programme. They were pleased with the content and with the stage of preparation.

Actions

Officers to continue planning in line with Members’ steer.

The Chair invited the Board to consider the reports back from those members who have attended meetings of outside bodies since the last Board meeting, and also the future dates of meetings for outside bodies.

The Chair thanked Cllr Peter Golds for his continuing work on the Magna Carta 800^th Anniversary Committee.

Decision

Members noted the report.

Actions

As noted during discussion of the Board’s terms of reference, Lead Members will confirm 2015/16 nominations to Outside Bodies.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2015 were agreed as an accurate record.

The Chair thanked officers and members for their work.