Agenda item

The Head of Environmental Services submitted a report presenting the fourth annual review of the Council’s ten-year leisure contract with Sport and Leisure Management Ltd (SLM) known as “Everyone Active”. 

The Leisure Services Manager stated that Officers were satisfied with the overall performance of SLM, the detail of which was set out in Essential Reference Papers ‘B’ and ‘C’ of the report now submitted.  Medium term financial planning savings targets had been achieved.  He provided a summary of visits to the gyms, adding that there had been 550,000 visits to all leisure site facilities in the last 12 months.  There had been a dramatic increase in customers in the last 4 years and growth had been significantly greater than throughput targets set at the beginning of the contract. 

In response to a query from Councillor C Woodward regarding a reduction in swims, the Leisure Services Manager explained that nationally, there had been a decline in swimming.  The Leisure Services Manager explained what energy efficient (green) measures had been taken to reduce expenditure costs.

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services referred to problems with parking which had now been resolved.  The Chairman referred to the works at the site by Network Rail and asked if the temporary area used at the time could be used for parking on a more permanent basis.  The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services explained that there were a number of issues affecting car parking at the site and provided a summary.  The Head of Environmental Services reminded Members of planning proposals for the development of Bishop’s Stortford North and of the impact this may have generally on the area. Consideration of how this would affect the infrastructure of the area and the demand for leisure facilities would need to be considered as part of the planning process.

In response to a query from Councillor S Bull regarding a decline in under 16s swimming, the Head of Environmental Services agreed that numbers were dropping, but increasing for adults.   He referred to national trends, adding that SLM were doing all that they could to encourage usage, including making the facilities more attractive (tiling of the swimming pool at Grange Paddocks had just been undertaken) and scheduling more ‘fun swim’ sessions.

The Head of Environmental Services explained how and why there had been inconsistencies in the Performance Indicator EHP12 (Net cost/subsidy per visit) for 2012.

In response to a query from Councillor Mrs D Hollebon, the Leisure Services Manager explained that the new crèche was now open at Grange Paddocks and that fun swims would be launched on 23 March 2013.  In response to a query from Councillor N Symonds, Matthew Nicholson, SLM Area Manager, explained the decision around the timing of the fun swims. 

Councillor L Haysey referred to the suggestion by Hertfordshire County Council of using Health and Wellbeing Board publicity health icons on their literature.  Officers undertook to look into this.

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services commented that in relation to swimming, the numbers provided needed to be taken in perspective and that on the whole, and in terms of the contract, SLM  were performing very well.

In response to a query from Councillor J Mayes, the Leisure Services Manager assured the Member that water quality at all sites was within industry standards and that the quality of the water in all SLM’s swimming pools was good.  Councillor Mayes expressed concern regarding the steps to the pool.

In response to a query from the Chairman regarding extending SLM’s corporate social responsibility, the Leisure Services Manager provided an update on how SLM were working with the Council to integrate the “Everyone Active” activities with facilities offered by the Council.  Councillor C Woodward suggested that disabled sporting events also needed to be taken on board.  Mr Matthew Nicholson of SLM provided an update on initiatives being considered.  

Members received the report and thanked SLM for their good work on the Council’s behalf.

RESOLVED – that (A) performance of the leisure contract be noted; and

(B)   SLM be thanked for their good work on the Council’s behalf.