Agenda item

Councillor Craig Fennell referred Members to the elements of his brief as Business Portfolio Holder and highlighted the following:

 

(i)            The Camberley Theatre – There had been a change of management at the Camberley Theatre and a conceptual change on food and drink provision. The food service, including lunchtime provision, which had been opened 18 months previously, with an external food provider, had not proved a success and the food service had been scaled back.

 

Consideration had been given to seat replacement, with options including refurbishment or replacement. The cheapest option proved to be replacement at a cost or approximately £100,000.

 

The Pantomime had achieved a net profit of approximately £35,000. Efforts continued to reduce the subsidy needed for the Theatre and the venue would celebrate its 50^th anniversary in 2016.

 

The Committee sought clarification on the following:

 

§    Subsidy Reduction – Members requested a breakdown of Corporate Overheads, in terms of cost and allocation;

 

§    On-line Booking – Following experience of difficulties in booking and seat selection/allocation, Members sought a breakdown of how this service operated and any plans for improvement;

 

§    The Future – Members queried the requirement to have a Theatre and sought an indication of the Council’s commitment to this venue, going forward.

 

(ii)           Green Space – The Green Space Team operated and maintained a number of parks in the Borough. Recent developments include the opening of 3G pitch facilities. The business plan had set an occupancy target of 60%. To date, £79,000 had been accrued, but expenditure had been reduced, giving a net profit of £44,000 against an expected return of £37,000.

 

Pistachio’s Café – The contract for this venue, in Frimley Lodge Park, had been put out to tender and it was anticipated that a new partner would be opening the Café again within 6 weeks’ time.

 

Lightwater Country Park – The Visitors Centre was currently the subject of a major revamp, including an extension and refurbishment of toilet and café facilities.

 

Events – It was planned to drive revenue gain through more events in the Council’s parks.

 

Arena Leisure Centre – The Centre contract had been extended by 3 years, to allow time to consider future options.

 

Leisure Leases – The Green Space Team advised property officers on ability to pay when leisure leases were re-issued.

 

Sports Development – The Council’s Sports Development Officer was heavily involved in pushing forward and developing sports in the Borough. Sports demand across the Borough was evolving, with some seeing participation in decline, such as football, but others growing, such as adult netball which had seen growth of 20%.

 

The Committee sought clarification on the following:

 

§    Model Railway – Frimley Lodge Park – It was understood that the miniature railway had previously had operating difficulties, particularly in terms of opening times. Members requested an update on this facility;

 

§    Walking Football – Given the growth of Walking Football for the over 50s, Members sought assurances that suitable venues would be considered in the Borough;

 

§    Basketball – Given the growth of this sport, were there any plans to provide outdoor courts? Councillor Fennell confirmed that there were no plans currently.

 

§    Athletics - The biggest growth area was in athletics. It was noted that there were no athletics facilities in the Borough and the introduction thereof would carry a significant cost.

 

§    Netball – Given the significant growth in adult netball, Members highlighted the lack of suitable playing surfaces and asked that this be investigated and an update on progress be provided;

 

§    Public Planting – Members raised the issue of the street scene and public planting, in which it was considered that the Borough trailed, in comparison to neighbouring boroughs;

 

Councillor Fennell noted that, previously, the Council had looked to have hanging baskets in shopping areas, but had been advised by Surrey County Council that the street lighting was not strong enough to take the weight of these. As the street lighting was upgraded with greater load bearing poles, this issue would be considered further. Members asked that this matter be addressed urgently as the new street lighting was put in place across the Borough.

 

§    Growth and Decline of Sports Involvement in Surrey Heath – The Committee requested a breakdown of the sports in the Borough that were growing or declining.

 

(iii)          Surrey Heath Museum – The Museum was developing and expanding its outreach work with schools in the Borough.

 

The Committee asked for an update on visitor numbers to the Museum.

 

(iv)         Events in the Borough – Members sought an update on what events were planned for the celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s 90^th birthday and National Picnic Week, which was understood to coincide with the birthday celebrations.

 

Councillor Fennell highlighted the ‘Clean for the Queen; initiative, which the Council planned to participate in.

 

The Executive Head of Business was asked to provide an update on plans for picnic events and the celebration of the Queen’s 90^th Birthday.

 

(v)          Car Parking – The Council provided car park facilities for Camberley Town Centre, but also the rest of the Borough. It also provided on-street parking enforcement at nil cost to the Borough. Unlike most surrounding Councils, which provided little or no free time on High Streets, Surrey Heath did not charge for the first 30 minutes.

 

Members noted that the Car Parking Strategy would be considered in the following agenda item, but sought clarification on the following:

 

§    Revenue - How did parking revenue compare year on year and what had been achieved in terms of parking targets?

 

Councillor Fennell reported that parking revenue was slightly down on target by 2.4%. Earlier in the financial year, there was a major dip in usage for a weekend, following the suggestion on a television programme that Camberley could be a target which would interest terrorists. He agreed to circulate a comparison of revenue achieved over recent years.

 

§    Feeder Road to Frimley from the Blackwater Valley Relief Road – Members were reminded that one of the feeder roads into Frimley had been closed (for some time) as it had been deemed to be dangerous. Members queried whether the use of this defunct road for parking had been considered and if this could be achieved safely.

 

Whilst there were differing views on whether or not the proposed parking could be achieved safely, Councillor Fennell agreed to raise the issue at a future parking meeting with Surrey County Council and to feed back the outcome to Members. The parking meeting was unlikely to be held before the next meeting of this Committee.

 

Councillor Fennell noted that whilst the first 2 hours in the Burrell Road car park were free of charge, a charge had been levied thereafter to deter commuters from parking there all day.

 

§    Kings Ride/College Ride – Councillor Robin Perry reported that, as parking restrictions had been imposed in Camberley Town Centre, drivers had migrated to Kings Ride, College Ride and the surrounding roads.

 

Councillor Fennell acknowledged that when you introduce parking restrictions in one area, it caused a ripple effect in other areas. He offered to meet Ward Councillors on site to review the issue.

 

§    Chobham – Councillor Victoria Wheeler highlighted residents’ concerns on the lack of enforcement in Chobham, suggesting in particular that enforcing on current restrictions was preferable to introducing further double yellow lines. She also sought the Portfolio Holder’s views on parking charges in the Chobham car park.

 

 

Councillor Fennell noted that there were only a limited number of enforcement officers to cover the whole Borough. Whilst he acknowledged that income from parking in the Chobham car park was less than the costs involved, it had been implemented to assist local businesses by reducing commuter parking.

 

§    Sponsorship of Roundabouts – Members noted that the Council had previously refused proposals for sponsoring roundabouts, but that, now, 5 roundabouts had been sponsored by businesses, bringing income to the Council.

 

Councillor Fennel reported that, previously, no income would have come to the Council, with all proceeds going to SCC. He agreed to provide the Committee with details of potential revenue streams from further roundabout sponsorship.

 

§    Signage – Referring to other boroughs which used electronic signage, Members suggested the introduction of signage indicating which car parks were full or had spaces and the number thereof.

 

The Executive Head of Business reported that live feeds on parking were available on the Council’s website.

 

Members asked for feedback on the possibility/practicality of signage outside car parks.

 

§    Main Square Car Park – Members noted the need for more wide spaces in the car park and asked what consideration had been given to a proposal to reverse access and egress, using the current exit as the main entrance and vice versa.

 

          Councillor Fennell reported that a significant number of parking bays had already been widened to accommodate larger vehicles. The Main Square Car Park was constructed in 1970. Mitigation measures have been built in to improve traffic flow, but the shape and structure did not easily accommodate a change in the entrance and exit.

 

The Chairman thanked the Business Portfolio Holder for his presentation and the Executive Head of Business for his support.

 

Resolved, that

 

(i)            The report be noted; and

 

(ii)          With the exception of information on the feeder road, Frimley discussions with Surrey County Council, which would be circulated following the next meeting with SCC on that matter, the information requested by Members be circulated electronically prior to the next meeting.