Agenda item

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report which reviewed the Council’s ten year leisure contract with Sport and Leisure Management Ltd (SLM) trading as “Everyone Active” (EA). 

The Leisure and Environment Service Manager provided an overview of the report which in summary was positive, adding that some areas needed improvement, specifically those relating to pool attendances.  The Leisure and Environment Service Manager advised Members of a correction to the “net cost of Leisure Service per user” which was 0.65p and not 0.22p as shown in the report.

Councillor P Ruffles welcomed the report and asked whether any information was available as a benchmark from neighbouring areas which provide a context to the information presented.

The Leisure and Environment Service Manager explained the difficulties in trying to find “like for like” comparators for benchmarking purposes.  The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing supported this viewpoint adding that many of the Council’s facilities were 40-50 years old.  He referred to the Council’s new leisure strategy which aimed to derive an income rather than currently having to provide a management fee.

Councillor P Boylan suggested the use of caution around the use of the Net Promoter Score which could, he suggested, be manipulated. 

Members expressed concern at the decline in swimming generally and particularly under 60 years of age which was reported at three of the five Council run pools.  Councillor D Oldridge referred to the activities provided by Everyone Active and the absence of schools in relation to adding social value.  He asked that Officers seek information from EA on what they were doing to engage with schools.  This was supported.  Councillor P Ballam referred to changes in physical education provided at schools which she believed, contributed to obesity in young people. 

Councillor K Crofton concurred with the view that the Council needed to find out what the service provider was doing to increase levels of participation and especially within the 16-19 age group.  He spoke of the need to work with partners, including HCC to get everyone into physical activity.  Councillor P Ruffles questioned whether anything should be done from the viewpoint of lobbying in terms of the promotion of leisure.  The Leisure and Environment Service Manager explained that the service had a strong foundation but that there was still more to do.

The Leisure and Environment Service Manager explained the current contract financial arrangements with the operator and proposals to invest heavily within leisure provision which would generate income for the Council.

Councillor K Crofton referred to the number of reportable accidents and queried whether there was any pattern to the accidents and the Council’s liability position.  Assurances were provided that these were properly recorded and that any pattern would be quickly addressed by the operator.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property explained that the operator would have appropriate insurances in place and that this would be addressed as part of the contract stage. 

Members supported the suggestion that Officers ask the operator to provide a breakdown of all reportable accidents, how these are addressed and relevant policies (such as managing risk) and that this be circulated to Members.   Members also supported the suggestion that the risk register be reviewed to ensure that the Council had in place, adequate insurance to ensure that the Council’s liability and reputation was protected in the event of a claim.

It was moved by Councillor D Oldridge and seconded by Councillor S Cousins that the Annual Leisure Contract Performance Report for 2017 be received, including a request for further information on engagement with schools, an accident analysis and review of risk assurance.  After being put the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - that (A) the Annual Report be received;

(B)   Officers seek information from Everyone Active on:

·        engagement  with schools, and

·   a detailed breakdown on reportable accidents, how these are addressed and the operator’s policies (such as managing risk) and how these are applied; and

(C)   Officers review the Council risk register to ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect the Council’s liability and reputation.