Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Birtwistle, Bridges, Briggs, McGowan, Sollis and Wild.

Apologies were also received from Councillors Baker, Launer and M Lishman due to their new role as Executive Members. 

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19^th October 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair decides should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There were no additional items of business to be considered. 

To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to any item on the agenda, in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct and/or indicate if S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

There were no declarations of interest in any of the items on the agenda. 

To determine during which items, if any, the public are to be excluded from the meeting.

Exclusion of press and public was as set out on the agenda.

To consider questions, statements or petitions from Members of the Public.

No questions, statements or petitions had been received from members of the public. 

To consider the list of future Key Decisions.

Members were asked to note the Notice of Key Decisions and Private Meetings (NKDPM) published on 31^st October 2023, with the exception that items scheduled to be submitted to the November meeting of the Executive have now been moved to January 2024.  This was due to the November meeting being cancelled. 

RESOLVED – That the NKDPM of 31^st October 2023 and the update be noted.

To note the Quarter 2 Performance Report 23/24.

The Committee received the Quarter 2 Performance Report which highlighted that 87% of Liberata telephone calls were answered within the target time, with the caller abandonment rate also within the target.  In terms of missed bins, at 79 per the 100,000 collections, the target of 75 per 100k collections was narrowly missed.  Lastly, the average number of days per employee lost to sickness absence was 1.6 days during Q2.  It was envisaged that the annual target average of 6 days per employee would probably not be achieved.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted. 

To receive a presentation on Burnley Leisure Trust Annual Trust.

The Committee received a presentation from the Chief Executive of Burnley Leisure and Culture (BLC) on its annual report.  It provided figures which highlighted the highest ever numbers of fitness members, swimmers in the swim academy, visits to the driving range and golf memberships.  A breakdown of the financials was provided in terms of earned income, grant income, insurance, investments, expenditure and funds. 

It was reported that the organisation had now been running for 10 years, and some impact stories were provided along with the vision, mission and priority aims for the next 3 years; which were putting people first; improving health and wellbeing; destination of choice for leisure and culture; fostering partnerships; and delivering business excellence. 

It was reported that the annual income for fitness members was approximately £1.4M.  A more accurate figure was sought and this request would be submitted to the BLC Board.  However, it was pointed out that the accounts would be filed with Companies House the following week.  Five years of accounts were available to view via Companies House website.   

Clarification was sought on how many Active Lifestyles Hub Referrals were not taken up.  This would be looked into and the information provided if available. 

It was reported that some schools were investing in temporary swimming pools to save on costs of swimming lessons, despite BLC holding prices.  The largest impact in relation to this was transport costs.    

It was highlighted what a great asset volunteers were and the impact they had.  There was a large number used throughout the organisation and some services couldn’t operate without them.  Volunteers received full training, uniforms and expenses.  Some volunteers did make the transition into paid roles, but it was difficult to provide an accurate picture of what percentage this was.  There was currently no graduate training scheme, as this was costly and didn’t necessarily lead to staff retention.  However, there was an extensive apprenticeship scheme.   

BLC remained committed to the real living wage, despite it being financially challenging, and the original terms and conditions from the transfer had been continued.

It was reported that the Council’s procurement team were overseeing the tendering for the gym equipment refurbishment and it was due to close on the 4^th December.  All equipment was being replaced, as is done every 5 years to remain competitive.  The old equipment would be sold in accordance with the market value at the time.  Membership was currently running at approximately 5600, with full capacity being 6000-6500.             

As the Chief Executive of BLC was retiring in March 24, the Chair passed on the Committee’s thanks and best wishes.

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted.      

To receive a presentation on the Cultural Framework.

A presentation was given on the culture document: Our People, Our Culture – A Cultural Re-imagining of Burnley 2023-2027.  The presentation provided a definition of culture; the framework context; the vision and mission; challenges; driving change; infrastructure development priorities; Burnley 2027; what success would look like; community change outcomes; and systems change outcomes.  The Committee were keen to see community involvement and Members were asked to send any suggestions to link in with other communities to the Cultural Strategy Manager.

Two Arts Council funded projects were currently ongoing and time investment was key to building relationships.  It was intended that a community panel be created.   

It was felt that Burnley had a great deal to offer and had so much potential, that broader tourism initiatives should be considered.  Culture was more than provision but also about identity.  People needed to be creators as well as consumers. 

Aspirations of young people were highlighted in terms of Arts careers and championing what the town has to offer.  Work was being undertaken with a number of organisations, including Burnley College, in terms of making those connections.  

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted. 

To receive an update on the work of any active Scrutiny Review Groups.

It was reported that the Climate Change Review Group had one meeting remaining, and therefore feedback would be provided at the January meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted. 

To consider any amendments to the Work Programme for 2023/24.

The Committee received the updated work programme for 2023/2024 and was advised that the Interim Report on Charter Walk would now be submitted to the January meeting.    

RESOLVED – That the updated work programme for 2023/24 be noted.