Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Grant and Kamal.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meetings held on 8 January 2013 and 15 January 2013 have been circulated and Members are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The minutes of the meetings held on 8 January 2013 and 15 January 2013 were approved as correct.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any petitions submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures

There were no petitions.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

There were no questions, representations or statements of case.

Committee Members will be briefed on the legacy and outputs arising from the 2012 London Olympics.

Committee Members were briefed on the legacy and outcomes arising from the 2012 London Olympics. 

Shimul Haider, 2012 Games Legacy Director and Gaynor Nash, Regional Director, 2012 Legacy were in attendance.  As part of their presentation, a series of photographs were displayed to members which captured the successes of Leicester’s input into the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Shimul and Gaynor made the following points as part of their presentation:

-       The City of Leicester should take a great deal of credit for events held of national significance, including the torch relay event.

-       A number of sporting initiatives have been harnessed as part of the legacy, including the ping table- tennis initiative.

-       Leicester had continued to display its strong tradition of supporting disability sport. 

-       A significant number of volunteers contributed to the success of the Olympic Events, and it was anticipated that many would continue to engage in forthcoming volunteering opportunities within communities. 

-       There was an emphasis on the continuation of increasing the participation of young people in sporting activity. 

-       The Government was to release details of its strategy for school sport, and this was anticipated imminently. 

In response to a question, Shimul and Gaynor confirmed that the strategic and operational objectives of their work were achieved.  It was however stated that the true extent of the Olympic legacy could not currently be measured, and that this would become clearer when it could be determined whether there had been increased participation in sport.  Gaynor explained that a key focus of future research would look at reasons for girls dropping out of sports participation.

It was confirmed that the Council would continue to commit to support sporting initiatives including ‘Active for Sport’. 

In terms of the provision of a more quantifiable analysis of the Olympic Legacy, the Commission were informed that a full report was being compiled by Loughborough University, though it was acknowledged that the majority of the analytical information presently available was predominantly anecdotal. 

The Committee strongly endorsed the work of both Shimul and Gaynor, and commended all those involved for ensuring that 2012 was a particularly special year for sporting activity in Leicester. 

The Commission will discuss the possibility of undertaking a review into the County Records Office.

The Scrutiny Commission discussed the possibility of undertaking a review into the County Records Office. 

Sarah Levitt, Head of Arts and Museums, spoke briefly in relation to the scope of the scrutiny review and suggested that prior to the consideration of a scoping document, that those members who would form part of the review undertake a site visit to the records office to establish a better understanding of the general function of the office. 

The Chair confirmed that a scoping document had been drafted, but stated that this would not be considered until a site visit had taken place along with a presentation to members which outlined the role and functions of the records office.  It was acknowledged that both the site visit and the presentation could potentially alter the scope of the review. 

The Scrutiny Commission also confirmed that the review would be carried out in tandem with a group of Councillors from Leicestershire County Council.   

The Commission will receive a verbal update on progress with regard to the changes proposed at Belgrave Hall.

The Commission received a verbal update on progress with regards to the changes proposed at Belgrave Hall.

Sarah Levitt, Head of Arts and Museums, informed Members that the capital works to refurbish and redecorate the Hall were to commence imminently.  It was confirmed that once the works were complete, visitors would be able to enter parts of the hall which were not previously accessible to members of the public.  In response to a question, Sarah confirmed that the refurbishments were in keeping with the original features of the building. 

Sarah confirmed that a consultation took place with regards to the change in use of the building from a museum to a heritage centre.  As a result of the consultation phase, it was confirmed that the amount of time in which the gardens were open for free would increase.  As part of this, it was confirmed that the money saved from an overall reduction in opening hours would be spent on improving the marketing of the Hall’s activities.  It was felt that it was vital to ensure that local residents were fully aware of those activities taking place at the Hall.

Sarah explained that officers were currently compiling a programme of summer events for Belgrave Hall, and it was expected that around 40 events in total would take place.  Members expressed a keenness for all communicative materials in relation to these events to clearly state that public entry is free, and that any charges related to optional additional activities. 

A question was asked in relation to progress to date with the ‘Story of Leicester’ initiative.  In response, Sarah stated that work around the interpretation panels was being finalised and that a report on progress was to be presented to the City Mayor later in the month.  It was also confirmed that the Story of Leicester website was to be revamped. 

It was requested that a further report be brought back to the Scrutiny Commission in twelve months which detailed the number of events that had been held at Belgrave Hall, and provided a general evaluation of these. 

The meeting closed at 7:20pm.