Minutes:
Bewl Water Education Outdoor Centre
(1) Mr Hill advised that Hilary Lister, who became the first quadriplegic to sail solo across the English Channel in 2005, officially opened the Bewl Water Education Outdoor Centre in Lamberhurst on 26 April. He encouraged Members of the Committee to visit the Centre.
Libraries
(2) Members were pleased to note that the Library Book Issue figures had increased and that the consultation on the libraries restructuring concluded on 30 March and that all comments had been responded to.
Margate Theatre Royal
(3) The Committee noted that there were new funding arrangements for the Theatre Royal.
Olympics
(4) Mr Hill announced that the launch of the Olympic Sports Strategy would take place on Monday, 14 May 2007 at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Maidstone.
Capital Programme
(5) Mr Hill advised that he would be submitting a report on the proposals for Ashford Library and a Kent History Centre to a further meeting.
New Appointment
(6) Ms Honey was pleased to announce that Angela Slaven, the newly appointed Director of the Youth Offending Service and KDAAT was now in post. One of Ms Slaven’s first tasks would be to produce a Drug Strategy. This will be brought to this Committee at the next appropriate meeting.
“Vision” for Communities Directorate
(7) Ms Honey advised that the draft Vision for the Directorate would be published for consultation with staff during the next few weeks and that the process would include area meetings with staff and a conference for managers in September 2007.
Emergency Planning
(8) Ms Honey informed the Committee that the Emergency Planning operation worked well dealing with the aftermath of the recent earthquake in Folkestone.
Members’ Questions
(9) Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments. They were as follow:-
· There should be promotion on the achievements of the Kent Library Service;
· Concerns were raised on the Theatre Royal’s viability – a request was made for a summary on the best and worst case scenarios;
· A request was made for the wheelchair access to the water front at Bewl Water Education Outdoor Centre being address. (Mr Hill agreed to look into this);
· A request was made for the facilities at Bewl Water to be assessed to enable wheelchair users to share the same facilities as their no disabled friends to avoid them being separated. (Mrs Tweed responded saying that this may be due to the fire regulations but agreed to look into this and report back to the Committee);
· Officers were asked whether any changes had been made to libraries restructuring proposals in light of the consultation. (Ms Honey agreed to produce and circulate a note outside this meeting);
· A request was made for a report on History working in Kent to come to a future meeting. (Mr Hill felt that this was a good idea and would be an opportunity to review the whole operation).
(10) RESOLVED that:-
(a) the Committee wished to convey its thanks to Mr Hill and all the staff involved in the achievements in the Library Service;
(b) the necessary action be taken to carry out the points raised in paragraphs (5), (6) and (9) above; and
(c) the oral report be received.