Leisure and Youth Policy and Review Panel - Monday, 8th June, 2015 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chairman of the Panel for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

RESOLVED: That Cr. Liz Corps be appointed Chairman of the Panel for the 2015/16 Municipal Year.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Panel for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

RESOLVED: That Cr. Mrs D.B. Bedford be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Panel for the 2015/16 Municipal Year

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16th March 2015(copy attached).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 16th March, 2015 were agreed as a correct record.

(1) To appoint the membership of the Mid-Cycle Meeting. The Membership is normally as follows:

·         The Chairman and Vice Chairman and a representative from the other political parties.

(2) To appoint the membership of the Aldershot Lido Task and Finish Group. The Membership in 2014/15 was as follows:

·         Crs. Mrs. D.B Bedford, T.D. Bridgeman, D.E. Clifford, K. Dibble and B.A. Thomas, with attendance by the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Youth (Cr. Sue Carter) as required. The group has recommended that the Membership remains the same for 2015/16.

1)            It was AGREED that the membership of the Mid-Cycle meeting for the Municipal Year 2015/16 would be as follows, the Chairman (Cr. Liz Corps), the Vice-Chairman (Cr. Mrs D.B. Bedford), Cr. T.D. Bridgeman and Cr. M. Staplehurst.

2)            It was AGREED that the membership of the Aldershot Lido Task and Finish Group for the Municipal Year 2015/16 would be as follows, the Chairman (Cr. Liz Corps) and Crs. D.E. Clifford, A.H. Crawford, A.R. Newell, M. Roberts and B.A. Thomas, with attendance by the Cabinet Member for Leisure          and Youth (Cr. Sue Carter) as required.

To receive a tour of the facility followed by a presentation from Mr. Shahid Azeem, Chairman of Aldershot Football Club on the working arrangements and activities of the Football Club.

The Panel took a tour of the facility, led by Mr. Bob Green, Club Secretary, before receiving a presentation from Aldershot Town Football Club (ATFC) Chairman, Mr. Shahid Azeem.

Mr. Azeem advised that the current owners had brought the Club in August 2013, but that he had been associated with the Club, as a non-executive member, prior to the acquisition. The aims of the owners included seeking to ensure that football remained in the town and that the Club was kept at the heart of the community. It was noted that the owners had managed to exit administration two years ahead of schedule; within eleven months all the debts inherited from the previous administration had been cleared. The Club endeavoured to live within its means and had made a small profit of around £3,000 in the first year.

The Panel noted the working arrangements with Chelsea Football Club U21’s and were advised that realistically the existing arrangements wouldn’t last forever, but it was hoped that they would continue for the next 2-3 years. Links with the Military had also been strengthened and the Club had a good relationship with the Garrison Commander.

It was advised that the results on the pitch had been a little disappointing the previous season, but this would hopefully be addressed by the appointment of new manager, Barry Smith, previously of clubs such as Celtic and Dundee United. Mr. Smith had plans to move to Aldershot with his family soon.

Mr. Azeem explained the Club’s place in the community and how this particular role had to be respected and understood. It was advised that thousands of residents in the area perceived ATFC as “their Club” and it was important to maintain this perception through work within the community. The Club achieved this in a number of ways through the provision of coaching and training for young people in the area which, in turn, allowed young people to follow their dreams, support for local charities and facilitation of social inclusion and cohesion. It was advised that the players also got involved in the community through visits to schools, hospitals and charities acting as role models for the community.

The Panel were updated on the arrangements of the Youth Academy. Mr. Kevin Knight, of Knights Group Training, who ran the Academy, advised that the Academy sat in its own right, based at ATFC. It currently had 42, 16-19 year olds in full time education from the local area training and 16 part time players. The Academy took youngsters from the age of nine and in total, there were about 120 members at present. The emphasis of the Academy was to breed home-grown talent to move up into the first team when they came of age. It was noted that the new manager, Barry Smith, had a remit to only sign players from within an hour’s car journey of the stadium. It was also noted that a player from a neighbouring Academy had joined the ATFC first team  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To review the Panel’s current work programme (copy attached), and to agree priorities where necessary.

The Panel NOTED the current work programme, in particular the proposed item on the Hampshire County Council Youth Consultation for the next meeting. This would be discussed further at the next mid-cycle meeting.