The strategy will reflect the current position on Community Centres, detail what world class community facilities, delivery and access will look like in 2020, with a clear action plan developed.  The draft strategy went to CEB in December 2015.  Adoption after public consultation in spring 2016 – scheduled for CEB in May 2016.

The Head of Community Services submitted a report which presented the draft Community Centres Strategy for discussion and amendment prior to a period of public consultation.

Cllr Simm, Board Member Culture and Communities, presented the report, highlighting the two main action areas of the draft Community Centres Strategy: improving facilities and sustainable management.  She referred the Board to the published responses to the recommendations from the Scrutiny Committee.  She said that the following recommendations were rejected or accepted in part because:

·         Recommendation 5 – in part  :  the Council would seek an alternative way to deliver a community hub in the event that proposed approach was compromised

·         Recommendation 6 - No: the draft Strategy did recognise the work of volunteers and voluntary organisations

·         Recommendation 7- in part :all groups were represented in the planned consultation sessions but the Board should notify officers if they were aware of other groups that should be included.

The Head of Community Services confirmed that the strategy would be subject to 8 weeks of public consultation starting in January 2016 and that the document would be available in hard copy and on-line.  He was pleased to report that the first event in the new Rose Hill Community Centre would take place before Christmas.

In response to a question from Cllr Fooks about funds previously allocated for maintenance at Cutteslowe Community Centre but which did not appear in the Action Plan, the Board noted that the details of funding for community centre maintenance would be available at the end of the financial year.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    Approve the draft Community Centres Strategy for public consultation.