Agenda item

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture made the following announcements:

BBC Radio Lincolnshire had produced a podcast celebrating 75 years of BRM (British Racing Motors) in Bourne.  The Podcast was due to be aired over the Christmas period. Reference within the podcast made by Jackie Stewart stated the importance of Bourne in respect of the current multi-billion pound industry that motor racing had become and that it would not exist without Bourne and the BRM opposing Ferrari at that time, it was a good piece of marketing material for Bourne.

The next announcement was in respect of the improvements being carried out in respect of play parks across the District which Members had been notified of. The Play Park Strategy was working well and the Deputy Leader of the Council asked the Committee to acknowledge the work being undertaken by the Leisure, Parks and Open Spaces Team Leader, Michael Chester in respect of the improvements. (Michael Chester received a round of applause from those present).

The third announcement was in respect of the Christmas light switch on and Christmas markets held in all the four towns and the work carried out by the Teams to make this happen.  In some cases it had been the Town Councils, in respect of Grantham it had been South Kesteven District Council.  Acknowledgement was also made of those rural areas that had been involved in Christmas celebrations for everybody. Grantham Christmas light switch on and market had been very successful with a number of people attending and he thanked the Arts and Cultural Services Manager and her Team for all their hard work in delivering a fantastic event. (Jade Porter received a round of applause from those present)

The final announcement was in respect of a decision that had been made at a recent Cabinet meeting where an opportunity had arisen in respect of some sports facilities for the Deepings.  Deepings Sports and Social Club had been working with the Football Foundation and Lincolnshire FA. They had reached a point where they could potentially receive a grant of £700,000.  A contribution was required from the District Council to match the Deepings Sports and Social Club contribution which was given by the Cabinet subject to various conditions being attached to the Council’s grant to allow the Football Foundation grant to move forward.  The Council granted £200,000 but it was stressed that there were conditions attached to the grant which had to be met by the Deepings Sports and Social Club in relation to usage and planning and the grant from the Council had to be in place in order to receive the £700,000 grant from the Football Foundation.

Members suggested that this grant should have been scrutinised by the Committee, however, there  was not sufficient time between the meeting and the Cabinet meeting to enable this. The Chairman requested that wherever possible this could be achieved in the future.

A request was made about erecting notices on the play parks to advise when they were closed so that residents were aware.  It was stated that once definitive dates were known then notices would be erected accordingly.