Agenda and minutes

Minute of the Meeting held on 7 March to be noted.  (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Meeting held on 7 March 2023.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute for signature by the Chair.

Consider report by Director Resilient Communities.  (Copy attached.)

2.1     There had been circulated a report by Jenni Craig, Director Resilient Communities.  This report presented key information in regard to the Live Borders contract for the financial year 2022/23 and performance information on the delivery of commissioned sport, physical activity and cultural services.  The report covered the first full year of operations since the lifting of all pandemic restrictions.  The performance information was set in a context of significant challenges which included lower than anticipated participation levels due to the cost of living crisis and a protracted post-Covid recovery, rises in energy costs and changes to the way in which some services were being accessed.  A joint strategic review was underway with the aim of strengthening and improving partnership and service delivery arrangements and ensuring long term stability of services delivered by Live Borders on behalf of SBC.  External consultants had been engaged to support the review and an Elected Members and Trustees Steering Group and a Council Officers’ Working Group had been formed.

2.2     Ewan Jackson, Chief Executive Live Borders presented the 2022/23 Performance Report in Appendix 1.  The performance summary detailed a number of service highlights.  Learn 2 membership (swimming tuition) grew steadily through the year but was 20% below target at 2009, with the prolonged closure of Peebles pool and the challenge of recruiting enough swim instructors as factors.  External cost factors had also impacted Teviotdale Leisure Centre and Galashiels pool and significant capital investment was required in the aged facilities.  Active Schools continued to show strong performance with good engagement across clusters in extracurricular delivery and Sports Development participation rates were back above pre-pandemic levels.  The Library service was recovering well with steady increases in physical visitor numbers while those using digital resources had increased significantly.  Museum visits were strong and the use of the Halls estate had been positive.  A Fundraising Officer had been appointed to secure external funding opportunities.  Challenges remained in improving the Net Promoter Score and retention of staff.  A summary of 27 key initiatives to be taken forward in 2023/24 as part of the core business or as individual projects was provided, of which four had been completed.  Appendix 1a detailed the KSIs used to monitor the Service Agreement and included the full year 2022/23 performance against target, RAG status and narrative. Appendix 1b provided case studies from quarter four 2022/23.  Appendix 1c mapped the Key Initiatives under Live Borders six strategic goals.

2.3     With reference to paragraph 8.7 of the Minute of 7 March 2023, there had been provided detail of operational performance across cultural locations.  The full year cultural participation numbers were 38% higher than target, driven by strong performance across several museums.  Arts-led live performances saw high participation numbers and was to be further developed during 2023/24.  Film attendances were disappointing due to the lack of blockbuster titles released, however live events at Tower Mill performed well.  The Great Tapestry of Scotland (GTOS) had in May 2023 retained its 5 star status for a further two years  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The future dates were scheduled as follows:

·         5 September 2023 at 2pm

·         5 December 2023 at 2pm

·         27 February 2024 at 2pm

·         4 June 2024 at 10am

The next meeting of the External Services/Providers Monitoring Group (Live Borders) was scheduled for 5 September 2023 at 2p.m.

Before proceeding with the private business, the following motion should be approved:-

“That under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the aforementioned Act.”

DECISION

AGREED under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the business detailed in the Appendix to this Minute on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of Part I of Schedule 7A to the Act.

Consider Private Section of the Minute of the Meeting held on 7 March 2023 for approval and signature by the Chair.  (Copy attached.)

Members considered the Private Section of the Minute of the Meeting held on 7 March 2023.

DECISION

AGREED the minute.