Issue - meetings

(1)          Mr Hill updated the Committee and answered questions on the following issues:-

Capital programme

(2)         In relation to the Ashford Gateway it was hoped that work would start on site in April 2010 with a completion date of April 2012.

(3)         Regarding the Beaney in Canterbury following the tendering exercise a price had been achieved that was within budget and a provisional selection had been made.  This tender was due to be awarded by Canterbury City Council at a meeting on 12 November 2009.   It was anticipated that work would start on site in February 2010 and be completed in 2012. 

(4)      Good progress had been made with Gravesend Library and planning approval was being sought this month. Subject to planning permission being granted by Gravesham District Council work would start on site in Spring 2010 and it was hoped to open the library in April 2011.

(5)      Turner Contemporary and the Kent History Centre were the subject of reports later in the meeting.

Cultural Summit

(6)      The second Cultural Summit had been held on 28 September 2009 this had been very successful.  It had been well attended and would provide a good basis for going forward.   

 Dover Torch

(7)      On 2 October 2009 there had been a big event in Sandwich attended by hundreds of school children to celebrate the torches journey around local schools. 

Olympics

(8)      A commitment had been made to the first two training camps in the county.  These were some of the first in the country.

Libraries

(9)      The Council had receive a national award for the design of Ramsgate Library

Schools games

(10)    The launch of the Kent School Games for 2010 had taken place at three schools across Kent, this had receive good press coverage.  At the Conservative Party Conference, Dame Kelly Holmes had highlighted her own belief in the value of the Kent School Games and issued a challenge for this to be adopted at a national level.  A commitment had been given by Mr Hunt MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, that subject to the outcome of the general election, there would be a national schools games in 2012.

(11)    Mrs Law asked a question about the Deaf School Games, Mr Sandhu reported that the games had been very successful.  This was the first time that this event had been held and it had been very well attended. He hoped that there would be an even bigger event next year.

(12)     Ms Edwards (on behalf of Ms Honey) highlighted “volunteer your skills”, a campaign which aimed to encourage those with professional skills to become volunteers. The Committee would be supplied with further information on this in due course.

(13)     In relation to volunteering Mrs Tweed undertook to consider inviting representatives from local volunteer groups to briefly address the Committee when it met in other localities.

(14)     The Chairman on behalf of the Committee congratulated the Head of Sport, Leisure & Olympics and his team on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28