Agenda and draft minutes

No declarations of interest were received.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dyke and Snowdon.

The Service Director for Leisure, Culture and Community Wellbeing presented a report to the Committee members on an update to the Parks and Open Spaces and Play Strategy. Work had started in many areas around the Borough with vast improvements already in place, a few examples of completed work, where funding had been secured;

·        Maintenance and repairs made to a Skate Park.

·        Full refurbishment to 2 play spaces.

·        15 play spaces had undergone a full repainting.

·        LTA had got 2 tennis courts back in action.

Members heard how a key part of the engagement approach that is set out in the strategies was being delivered by the return of formal meetings (that were unfortunately stopped as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic) with the various ‘Friends Groups’ that are established across the Borough to support the work of the Council in local parks and open spaces. These groups have been instrumental in supporting a wide range of council programmes from Green Flag through the Chesterfield In Bloom and are a key resource for the authority in supporting grant applications.

Discussion

Members asked a number of questions about the future plans and discussed the importance of Friends Groups as well as reinforcing the importance of Green Spaces and parks and play areas. There was a request to change the date of the next friends' group meeting as it coincides with the Council meeting. 

RESOLVED –

1. That the update be noted.

2. That a further update be brought to the committee as part of the 2023 work programme.

The Committee considered the Scrutiny recommendations monitoring schedule.

RESOLVED –

That the Scrutiny monitoring schedule be noted.

The latest version of the Forward Plan of Key Decisions 1 February, 2023 to 31 May, 2023 is available via the link below;

Forward Plan

The Forward Plan for the period 1 February, 2023 to 31 May, 2023 was presented for information.

RESOLVED –

That the Forward Plan be noted.

The 2022/23 Work Programme for the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee was reported for information.

RESOLVED –

That the work programme be noted and updated to include the decisions of the current meeting.

RESOLVED –

The Minutes of the meeting of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee held on 1 December, 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.