Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Marcus Barrett, Anna Groskop, Dean Ruddle, Linda Vijeh and Rina Singh, Interim Chief Executive.

To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday, 17^th September 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 17^th September 2015, copies of which had been previously circulated, were approved as a correct record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (adopted July 2012), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting. A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct. A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9.

Members are reminded that they need to declare the fact that they are also a member of a County, Town or Parish Council as a Personal Interest.  As a result of the change made to the Code of Conduct by this Council at its meeting on 15th May 2014, where you are also a member of Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council within South Somerset you must declare a prejudicial interest in any business on the agenda where there is a financial benefit or gain or advantage to Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council which would be at the cost or to the financial disadvantage of South Somerset District Council.  If you have a prejudicial interest you must comply with paragraphs 2.9(b) and 2.9(c) of the Code.

Councillor David Norris declared a personal interest in Agenda item 7: Westland Leisure Complex, as the Chairman of Wincanton Sports Ground Management Committee.

The Council were addressed by Mrs Sheila Larcombe, (co-ordinator of the petition to save the Westland Sports Complex), Mr David Neale (Yeovil Town Band), Mrs Carol Barge (in support of Bingo at the Westland Complex), Mr Alex Watts (on behalf of Andy Fairbairn of the Somerset Cricket Board), Mr G Saunders (Chairman of the Westland Bowls Club), Mr Michael Amor (Chairman of the Allotment Association), Mrs Janet Bailey (in support of the Westland Complex), Mr Ted Callow (in support of the Westland Complex), Mr John Curry (a ratepayer of South Somerset), Mr Russell Payne (in support of dance classes at the Westland Complex), Mr Paul Murley (Chairman of the Westland Retirement Association) and Mr Rob Fox (Chairman of the Westland Cricket Club).  Their comments included:-

·         The petition to save the Westland Sport Complex had started in May 2015 and had over 8,000 signatures from across the district.

·         Yeovil is due to expand so this is not the time to close facilities.

·         The Yeovil Town Band use the Westland Complex as a rehearsal and storage facility and its members come from across Somerset, Devon and Dorset to practice there.

·         Monday night bingo at the Westland Complex attracts over 200 people every week and it is a profitable and social event.

·         The cricket ground at the Westland Complex has been highlighted for significant investment in the future by the Somerset Cricket Board.

·         The Westland Cricket Club also delivered cricket coaching sessions in local schools.

·         The Westland Bowls Club keeps people interested in sport in to their 80’s.

·         The Westland Allotment Association had been formed in 1975 and many of its members were devastated by the closure of the Complex. 

·         The Westland Complex had the largest ballroom and sprung floor in the South West.

·         People travel from a wide surrounding area to use the leisure and sporting facilities at the Westland Complex.

·         Concern at the £1 subsidy proposed to be added to Octagon Theatre tickets to support the Westland Complex – could the funding be sought from the people who use the facility or the people who signed the supporting petition?

·         Over 50 people attend the weekly jive class at the Westland Complex and there is usually 150 to 200 people who enjoy the monthly dance freestyle sessions. 

·         There are 4,500 in the Westland Retirement Association who regret the demise of the facility but know that with the right management it can be a huge success once again if SSDC agree to support it.  

·         The Westland Cricket Club is a family orientated club with a flourishing schools programme and over 100 young people play weekly in 7 youth teams.  We all urge SSDC to save the Westland Sports Complex for the whole of the community.

The Chairman advised that the meeting would be audio recorded by Radio Ninesprings and would be available to listen to on their website at the conclusion of the meeting. 

The list of Chairman’s Engagements was noted. 

(Voting: 37 in favour, 0 against, 17 abstentions)

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture introduced the report and reminded Members that it had been presented at four committee meetings where Councillors had opportunity to ask questions of officers.  She noted that Members were debating the recommendation to approve a loan of £1,865,046 and they should not refer to any of the information contained in the confidential papers. She also advised that the owners of the site, Finmeccanica – AgustaWestland, had been approached regarding the dividing of the sports facilities from the leisure centre but they were not supportive of this proposal. 

The Assistant Director (Finance and Corporate Services) provided Members with a power point presentation of the financial implications of the proposed loan, financing and future ongoing operating costs to the Council of taking on the Westland Leisure Complex. 

The Arts and Entertainment Manager advised that there were certain events which could not be held at the Octagon Theatre like conferences and flat floor events which could be held at the Westland Leisure Complex.  It would also allow a larger public audience to attend some comedy and live music events which were currently held at the Octagon.

The Assistant Director (Health and Well-Being) explained the proposed ticket levy to raise funding towards the Westland Leisure Complex as an agreement made between the artist and the venue. 

During a lengthy debate, varying views were expressed.  The majority of Members were in support of the proposal to take over the future management and operation of the sporting facilities at the Westland Leisure Complex but some expressed reserve at taking on the leisure facilities.  Their comments included:-

·         We are one of the largest district councils in the country and we deserve a county facility for the area.

·         To support the future of the complex, a Friends of Westlands Sport Club could be set up.

·         Support the take-over of the sporting facilities but concerned that taking on the leisure complex could put the Octagon Theatre at risk.

·         There is not a realistic business case for the entertainment complex. 

·         The population in Yeovil is growing and both older and younger people need access to sporting and leisure facilities.

·         The complex will need an excellent management team and they should be incentivised to make it profitable.

The site is a hub of sustainability with allotments and a cycle path. 

·         This is not just a facility for Yeovil as people travel across the district to use it.

·         Reservation that there is no 5 years business plan to demonstrate a break-even or profit during this period. 

·         There are risks in taking on this facility but we will monitor and manage them as the project progresses.

Councillor Derek Yeomans asked that his concerns that estimates for the work on the leisure complex could rise and the implications of additional staff to operate a hospitality event be minuted. 

At the conclusion of the debate, a named vote was requested by more than 10 Members present.  The named vote was taken as follows:-

Home visits by Carers

(Voting: 27 in favour, 0 against, 12 abstentions)

The following Motion was submitted by Councillor Henry Hobhouse:

Home visits by Carers

Proposal - That this Council urges the Government and the County Council to ensure that home visits by Carers are a minimum of 30 minutes long and that Carers are paid for their travel time. 

Councillor Hobhouse advised that several elderly residents in his area received home care visits which were often only 15 minutes in length which was insufficient time to leave them fully dressed or properly fed if needed.  He asked that Members support his motion to urge the Government and the County Council to ensure that home visits by Carers were a minimum of 30 minutes long and that Carers were paid for their travel time.

Councillor William Wallace, as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Somerset County Council responded that a recent radio broadcast had said the service was not in crisis but could be in the future without further funding.  He pointed out that this was not a District Council service but said he was happy to meet with Councillor Hobhouse to discuss the issue. 

During discussion, Members felt that home visits by carers was a national issue and it was not the fault of the County Council but the Government.  It was commented that the motion was aimed at supporting the County Council to receive fair funding to provide a good service. 

The motion was put to the vote and was agreed by 27 votes in favour and 12 abstentions. 

(Voting: 27 in favour, 0 against, 12 abstentions)

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 10.

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 10.

Members noted that the next meeting of Full Council would take place on Thursday 22^nd October 2015 in the Council Chamber, Brympton Way, Yeovil commencing at 7.30 p.m.