Agenda item

COMMUNITY SERVICES CHARGING SCHEME

The Director of Neighbourhood Services presents a report that sets out information regarding the response to the new charging scheme for the Council’s community centres.

 

The Scrutiny Commission is asked to note and to provide comments on the information provided and the responses received regarding the proposal to introduce a new charging scheme from 1st September 2013.

Minutes:

The Director Neighbourhood Services presented a report that set out information regarding the responses received to the new charging scheme for the Council’s community centres. The report followed on from a report presented at the Commission meeting on 4 June 2013 that outlined the options, following a review of the current charging scheme in operation across the Council’s community centres. The earlier report had outlined the adoption of a new simplified scheme to be introduced and applied in all Council community centres from 1st September 2013.

 

Councillor Russell, Assistant City Mayor gave a brief overview of the consultation process that had recently concluded and of the lessons to be learned following that process and the feedback received.

 

It had been apparent that the previous Charging Scheme was not transparent and the new scheme had been simplified with the aim of encouraging better use of facilities.

 

Members questioned that, as a result of the charging scheme being simplified, some groups using centres would have their charges reduced and other groups would be expected to pay more. As a direct result of this it was stated that it was likely that those groups facing increases would bid for ward Community Funding to cover their increased costs, as had already been witnessed in Rushey Mead Ward. It was agreed at the meeting that, in the short term such bids could be supported but that it would not be sustainable in the longer term. Councillor Russell, Assistant City Mayor, asked that Member’s Support Officers should check with Community Services to ascertain whether the costs being requested by groups were accurate, and whether the groups applying were actually being subjected to increased charges, before the applications were passed to Ward Councillors.

 

The Scrutiny Commission considered the report in detail and raised a number of points that have been summarised in the recommendations set out below. An update on the issues raised by Members was requested to be brought to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Commission.

 

RESOLVED:

1)                                    i)          Officers consider a re-classification of those groups that                                     currently use community facilities and have expressed                                     concerns at the level of charges they are expected to                                     pay.

 

2)                                    ii)         Officers consider that where a Community Centre has a                                     ‘lounge type’ or communal area, consideration be given                                     for the group to use the space for free or at a discounted                                     rate to reflect the non-exclusive nature of these areas/                                     rooms.

 

3)                                    iii)        Officers look to extend the same the transitional                                               arrangements that have been offered to groups at the                                                 Rushey Mead Recreation Centre to similar groups across                                    the City, where if the group have historically not been                                       charged for the use of a room, transitional support is                                             extended from 7 months to 2 years.

 

4)                                    iv)        Officers look to find ways of reflecting within the fees and                             charging scheme the voluntary nature of work undertaken                           by certain groups who do not currently benefit from the                                 discount or payback scheme offered to groups within a                                  partnership agreement.

 

5)                                    v)         Officers to formalise ways of signposting community                                     groups to appropriate sources of funding.

 

6)                                    vi)        Community groups who have taken the time to write a                                     written response to the consultation on the proposed                                     Charging Scheme need to be given a formal response to                                     their feedback, and that they are kept informed of the                                                 implementation and operation of the new Scheme.

 

7)                                    vii)       Following the recent problems experienced with the                                       Charging Scheme consultation exercise, databases                                       containing details of community groups using the centres                                   be updated more regularly, and more consideration is                                            given to the way we engage with these groups effectively.

 

8)                                    viii)      An impact assessment is completed covering the usage                                     of community facilities and also the financial implications                          for the period immediately following the implementation of                           the new Charging Scheme. A report back to this Scrutiny                          Commission to be made in 6 months.

 

Supporting documents: