Agenda item

A report was submitted from the Leisure Facilities Task and Finish Group outlining the issues and options in respect of the management and sustainability of the three joint use leisure facilities and two wholly own sites operated by East Herts Council.  The report also highlighted significant risks in terms of capital and revenue funding for the joint use sites.

Councillor D Oldridge asked Members to note that he had been a Member of the Task and Finish Group and felt that he should declare this.  It was noted that this was not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest.

Councillor M Freeman, Chairman of the Task and Finish Group introduced the report and explained the group’s Terms of Reference. 

The Leisure Services Development Manager provided a summary, the detail of which was set out in the report.  The Officer referred to paragraph 2.19 regarding Ward Freman Pool and commented that  the school had e-mailed the Council to indicate that the School’s Adjudicator had confirmed that the school pool had been built by Hertfordshire County Council for use by all local schools not just for the use of Freman College.  The Schools Adjudicator had confirmed that it was a County Council asset which should not transfer to the ownership of the school.

The Leisure Services Development Manager explained the aims of the leisure strategy and provided a financial overview.  He outlined the conclusions of the Task and Finish Group and summarised the advantages and disadvantages of each of the four options, with Option 4 being recommended as the optimum viable way forward and the one most likely to achieve the Council’s outcomes and desired outcomes. 

Councillor D Andrews, in querying various work streams as detailed in the report, referred to the absence of secure bicycle racks at Grange Paddocks, even though 40 new car spaces had been provided at the leisure centre.  The Head of Environmental Services and Leisure explained that the Council was keen to provide more cycle hubs.

In response to an issue raised in the report, Councillor I Devonshire explained that there were ways of building on flood plains.

In acknowledging that this was a first step in the process in identifying a strategic framework for the future provision of leisure facilities and services, Members sought and were provided with clarification from the Leisure Services Development Manager on the options put forward and the proposed direction of travel, including costs associated with running swimming pools, pool usage, levels of subsidy / concessions and how local pools contributed to fitness especially in relation to primary and secondary school children.  In developing a strategy, it was suggested that a holistic approach be taken in terms of energy usage and how this could be reduced and whether Section 106 monies could be applied.

In response to a query regarding revenue costs should grant be reduced, the Leisure Services Development Manager explained how community trusts worked and cited Wodson Park in Ware as an excellent example.

The Chairman, on behalf of Members thanked all Officers who had been involved in the production of such a detailed and thoroughly researched report.

Members received the report and the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the proposed direction of travel outlined in paragraphs 2.70 to 2.72 and the programme of work outlined in paragraphs 2.73 to 2.76 be endorsed;

(B)   the Executive be advised that the proposed direction of travel outlined in paragraph 2.70 to 2.72 and the programme of work outlined in paragraphs 2.73 to 2.76 be approved;

(C) subject to (B) above, a progress report be submitted to Community Scrutiny Committee on 22 November 2016; and

(D)   the work of the Task and Finish Group be extended to consider progress in developing the work streams over the next six months as outlined in paragraph 3.2 of the report submitted.