Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

No declarations of interest were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on *

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2009 be confirmed as a correct record.

Joint Report of the Planning and Economic Regenaration Director and Leisure Director

Further to Minute No. 80 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member - Regeneration held on 16 December 2009, the Cabinet Member considered the joint report of the Planning and Economic Regeneration Director and the Leisure Director that explained and provided an update on the current situation in respect of the 'SUSTAIN' project for the Interreg IVC programme.  The report commented that Sefton, working with the North West Coastal Forum, were cooperating with transnational partners as leaders in the field of coastal management.  This would provide Sefton and its regional partners with improved capability to look after the coastal asset and maintain Sefton's role as a leading coastal authority.

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the Interreg IVC Sustain proposal has now been approved and is scheduled to commence in January 2010.

Report of the Leisure Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Leisure Director updating on progress with the Master Plan for Crosby Coastal Park and seeking approval for the Phase 1 works; and indicating that a decision on this matter was required to enable progress on the Master Plan and the procurement of the proposed Phase 1 works.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the work done to date be noted, and the first draft Crosby Coastal Park Master Plan be approved;

(2)       the Leisure Director be authorised to seek competitive tenders for the Phase 1 landscape works;

(3)       the Leisure Director be authorised to accept the lowest tenders for the works in accordance with delegated powers identified in the Council’s Constitution;  and

(4)            Cabinet be requested to include the additional sum of £26,879 from Section 106 deposits from Crosby Coastal Park in the Department’s Capital Programme.

Joint report of the Head of Regeneration and Technical Services and the Leisure Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Technical Services seeking approval to accept a DEFRA grant offer in connection with Coastal Change Policy and for its inclusion within the Capital Programme.

The report indicated that DEFRA launched a consultation on their Coastal Change Policy which considered issues around how communities could adapt to a changing coastline in the context of future climate change; that included within this was a fund to establish a number of Pathfinder Authorities that were at the forefront of this type of work and could test new approaches and subsequently share the lessons learnt; that the overall fund was £11 million to be spent within this and next financial year; and that applications were required to be submitted by 11 September 2009.

The Coastal Defence Team had developed an application in partnership with the Coast and Countryside Service that would focus on capturing experience to date and undertaking a number of actions in the Formby area including community engagement plan development and access works; the grant offer from DEFRA was non ring-fenced and was for £337,000; and that it was anticipated that Pathfinder status would benefit the Council in future applications if this funding source was continued in later years.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the DEFRA grant offer amounting to £337,000 in connection with Coastal Change Policy be accepted; and

(2)            Cabinet be requested to include the capital elements of the project (as detailed in Appendix A to the report and totalling £145,000 and fully funded from DEFRA grant) in the Capital Programme.

Report of the Leisure Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Leisure Director regarding a number of requests received for the use of the Southport Municipal Golf Course (Southport Golf Links) from the clubs based there to stage a number of fixtures and Charity Days during 2010; and indicating that a decision on this matter was required to allow programmes and timetables for the operation of the golf course to be finalised.

RESOLVED: That subject to the concessions being recognised by all the event organisers at the very minimum in their publicity as (part) sponsorship of their event:

(1)            authorisation be given for the events listed in Annex A of the report; 

(2)       the tee off times be reserved;

(3)       the fees for the  Sefton Junior Open Golf Competition be waived; and

(4)       the fees be reduced for:

            (a)            the two school holiday competitions; and

            (b)            the Family Fun Golf day.

Report of the Leisure Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Leisure Director on applications received from eligible community groups for Express Sefton funding.

The Leisure Director advised the meeting that the funding application from SANWZA Zimbabwean Association was £2500 and not £25,000 as referred to in the report

RESOLVED: That

(1)       grants from the Express Sefton Cultural Fund be awarded to the following community groups:

            and

(2)            Cabinet be requested to roll forward the amount remaining for grants in 2010/11