The last Trust Board Meetings to be published were for 5 December 2017.

There have been three Board meetings since December 2017:

27 February 2018,

7 April 2018 and

5 June 2018.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for 4th September 2018

Why have these minutes not been published?

The Annual report for 2016/2017 is not available on the Trust's website. Why not?

Board meetings are not open to the Public. Why not?

The Leisure Trust does not hold an AGM.

During the time these Board Minutes have not been published, there have been
Serious specific Financial Implications involving the Trust -

It was made public that 'East Renfrewshire Council had to bail out its struggling Culture and Leisure Trust.'

There were specific financial implications during the year.

A projected overspend of £277,000 for the year 2017/18 was forecast in the Trust’s financial monitoring report and the council agreed to plug the funding gap.

The Cabinet were informed a ‘letter of comfort’ had to be written to allow the Trust to continue providing services in its sports facilities, libraries and community spaces, including the Barrhead Foundry.

An increase in funding from the council was also confirmed in a letter to the Trust.

ERC and members of the Trust had talks over a new management agreement as the current deal comes to an end this year.

In a report to the cabinet, the council’s head of accountancy, Margaret McCrossan, claimed it was “necessary to issue a letter of comfort to the Trust” to allow provision and development of services.

Ms McCrossan also confirmed that an additional £239,000 has been set aside to support the Trust.

A planned savings target of £110,000 has also been deferred.

The level of additional resource received from the Council was £225,000.

The Council commissioned an independent finance and business review of the Trust

This independent report detailing how much funding the Trust needs was published in a bid to secure the future of cultural and leisure facilities and activities in East Renfrewshire.

A joint Trust / Council action plan is now being implemented and overseen by the Director of Education, the Trust’s Board and its Chief Executive.


Why have Board Meeting minutes not been published when all above has been taking place? just a coincidence?

Secret Society?

A secret society that is loosing thousands.

These Councillors are members of East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure Trust (ERCLT)Board. They attend Trust Board meetings.

Councillor Paul O’Kane
Councillor Colm Merrick
Councillor Barbara Grant
Councillor Danny Devlin

What do they do?

All have been asked to publicise the work the carry out as members of the Board.

They have declined to even acknowledge/answer. Secret Society?

----Original message----
Date : 30/07/2018 - 16:43 (GMTST)
To : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Subject : Re: ERCLT Trust Board Membership - Your Views will be Appreciated

Hi

An acknowledgement/reply would be appreciated.

Thanks

----Original message----
Date : 09/07/2018 - 09:41 (GMTST)
To : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Subject : Fwd: ERCLT Trust Board Membership - Your Views will be Appreciated


Hi

As a member of East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure Trust Charity(ERCLT) Board I would appreciate if you could give the requested information.

East Renfrewshire Council Tax Payers give ERCLT £4m+ per year but are mostly not aware of your role in the running of ERCLT.


What do you see as your role , in being a member of ERCLT Trust Board ?

Do you represent East Renfrewshire Council(ERC) on the Board?

What do you see as your main contribution to ERCLT?

What are the top 5 things you have achieved for East Renfrewshire Council Tax Payers during your role as a ERCLT Trust Board member?

What have you not achieved?

What have you still to achieve?

What is your view on ERCLT transparency?

There is no information regarding the ERCLT Board on the ERCLT website - makeup/names etc.

Do you agree with this secrecy?

What are your views on the ERCLT Trust Board meeting minutes?

In their current format, are they of use to anyone?

The minutes are only made available 3months+ (usually later) after a meeting.

Is this not too long after the event?

According to the minutes, you don't appear to participate and/or ask any questions at the Board meetings.

Do you ask any questions at Trust Board meetings?

If so -

What questions have you asked?

Why are your answers not recorded in the minutes?


Cllr Colm Merrick, the Convener for Community Services and Community Safety and member of ERCLT Board has made the statement(from Council minutes) -

' The Culture & Leisure Trust are not competing with the private sector'.

Do you agree with Cllr Merrick?

If so, please say why you agree.

If not, please say why you do not agree with Cllr Merrick.


Cllr Wallace has made the statement(from Council minutes) '..........that the East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure Trust were competing with the private sector '

'Councillor Wallace was heard in support of the comments made by Councillors Miller and Swift and stated that in his opinion, the Eastwood Leisure Centre should remain in its current location. He emphasised that the East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure Trust were competing with the private sector in terms of attracting business and that it was his understanding that service users wanted the facility to stay where it was. '


Do you agree with Cllr Wallace?

If so, please say why you agree.

If not, please say why you do not agree with Cllr Wallace.

From Council Minutes 2 March 2018 -

'He [Cllr Swift] expressed the view that East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure Trust was not working and that he did not think it was appropriate to give the Trust the responsibility of operating a new facility. '

Do you agree with Cllr Swift?

If so, please say why you agree.

If not, please say why you do not agree with Cllr Swift.

What are your views on the causes of the ERCLT £277,000 overspend?

As a member of ERCLT Board do you have any problems with East Renfrewshire Council Tax Payers contacting you regarding ERCLT matters?

Do you wish to say anything else regarding ERCLT and your work as a member of the ERCLT Board.

Again, your contribution will be very much appreciated.

Thanks

As yet, there has been no reply. Have no idea if Board Meeting will take/has taken place as scheduled.

----Original message----
Date : 03/09/2018 - 17:05 (GMTST)
To : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Subject : The next Board meeting is scheduled for 4th September 2018?


Hi

The next Board meeting is scheduled for 4th September 2018.

Is this Board meeting still scheduled to take place?

if so -

Where and when?

Who can attend?

Can East Renfrewshire Council Tax Payers attend?

If not - why not?

Can East Renfrewshire Council Tax Payers observe the Board meeting?

If not - why not?

A prompt reply would be appreciated.

Thanks

I can only suggest that it may have been held in 'Secure Room 3'.