Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Cllr Kuldeep Lakmana, and Cllr Roshan Ghei substituted. Apologies had been received from Cllr Wayne Bridges and Cllr Dominic Gilham substituted.

Cllr Gilham declared an interest in item 4 – the Rural Activities Garden Centre report as he was Ward Councillors for the area where the centre is situated.

It was confirmed that all items on the agenda were Part 1 and would be considered in public.

The Chairman of the Committee welcomed Members and consultees to the meeting. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, Cllr Philip Corthorne was invited to address the Committee. Cllr Corthorne was pleased to be able to present the report to the Committee and be able to receive the comments of the Committee.

During a meeting with parent carers last September Cllr Corthorne said he made three commitments; to ensure the necessary capital was attained to modernise the RAGC, to ensure current service users could continue to use the centre following the refurbishment, and finally to encourage engagement with parents carers as the RAGC developed. Cllr Corthorne said the Project Plan set out an exciting increase of potential on the site of the centre.

The Chairman invited parent carer Mr David Pickwick to put his questions to Cllr Corthorne. Mr Pickwick thanked Cllr Corthorne for his involvement with this matter and for his support.

Mr Pickwick asked Cllr Corthorne how the sum of £240k for the refurbishment was arrived at. Cllr Corthorne understood this figure was the total deemed necessary for the refurbishment by Officers. Officers stated that they had received a quote of £180k to replace the main building, followed by an Access Audit and a quote for the greenhouse glass replacement – this was a rounded figure rather than a detailed costing. Officers said this figure was on par with the Disabilities Discrimination Act funding level figure. Officers said that if further funding was needed in the future the normal Council procedure to seek external funding would be adhered to.

Mr Pickwick said he was encouraged by Cllr Corthorne’s words and understood how the RAGC would fit in with the Adult Education department. Mr Pickwick did highlight the issue of available transport links for non-independent travellers. The Chairman said this query would form part of their comments to Cabinet. Cllr Corthorne informed Mr Pickwick that he would follow this query up with the relevant officers.

A Committee Member asked Cllr Corthorne whether the modernisation of this centre would reduce the numbers of service users at other centres. Cllr Corthorne said he did not think this would be an issue.

The Chairman invited Tricia Collis to present the Cabinet report to the Committee. Ms Collis said the Adult Social Care department and Adult Education department had been working together on the RAGC for many years. The site had huge potential to offer training and life employment skills to disabled people. The site offered the opportunity for the Green Spaces team to get involved and provide more opportunities to engage people in a rich mix of activities and services.

Ms Collis said the centre runs an education curriculum which covered skills such as retail, customer care and catering. Service users were able to access this curriculum with ease, and were encouraged to do so as it gave them access to a brighter future. Ms Collis said the courses provided opportunities to engage learners in a range of activities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.