Culture and Leisure Services

Primary Responsibilities

• Sports and Physical Activity

  • Management of four leisure centres and swimming pools

  • Management of the Dell Athletics Stadium

  • Delivers a wide range of the sports development activities.
    

• Museums, Greenspaces and Bereavement Services

  • Responsible for Museums, Red House Cone, and the management of parks, play areas and nature reserves.

  • Bereavement Services is responsible for the management and Development of the two crematoria and seven cemeteries.
    

• Culture and Tourism

  • Responsible for a wide range of arts and entertainment venues within the Borough.

  • Management of Himley Hall, four public halls and community arts projects including the Borough Festival.

  • Arranges and hosts the Himley Hall Bonfire, pop concerts together with a range of other events. Venue for arts, crafts exhibitions and weddings as well as being a quality conference facility regionally.

Key Facts and Figures

• 1.5 million attendances per annum at Leisure Centres

• 3400 Cremations undertaken per annum

• 2200 cremations memorials (roses, plaques, etc)

• 15% of Boroughs landmass is "Green Space"

• Wrens Nest has national/worldwide nature reserve status

• 133 teams play football on the Council's pitches

• Nearly 6000 volunteer hours were donated to nature reserves

• 30 Friends of parks groups set up.

Key Issues

• Sports and Physical Activity

  • Maximising and encouraging levels of participation that have a health related benefit
    
  • Ensuring full engagement with the 2012 Olympics and delivering a legacy for the borough
    
  • Playing Pitch Provision/Strategy.
    
• Museums, Greenspaces and Bereavement Services
  
  
  • Development of the White House / Red House Glass Museum Project
    
  • Continuation of the Healthy Towns Project
    
  • Availability of additional burial grounds
    
  • monitoring impact of new crematorium in Kidderminster
    
  • Delivery of Heritage Lottery Fund Parks Programme.
    
• Culture and Tourism
  
  
  • Public Halls Big Society Project
    
  • Tourism - implementation of the Black Country Destination Management Partnership.

Divisional Achievements

• Leisure Centre Health and Fitness investment sees membership increased by 500%

• Sports Development Service attained Quest Accreditation with a highly commended score

• Options+ Scheme membership numbers increased

• Implementation of Healthy Towns Project - £4.5 million invested in 5 borough parks and open spaces

• Green spaces funding attracted via the Heritage Lottery Fund  and other external organisations

• Museum accreditation for Broadfield House Glass Museum and  Dudley Museum and Art Gallery

• Himley Hall North Wing development

• Introducing reactive service to collect stray horses from off the highway.