Agenda item

To move that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of Appendix 1a, Item 6 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act of the following description: in that it provides financial details.

The Executive Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Eric Buckmaster introduced the operational report which detailed the current leisure contract awarded to Everyone Active in January 2020. He said that the report covered performance since the start of the contract, and therefore included the challenging times when the Covid pandemic caused the closure of facilities.

He said that the Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre reopened in October 2021, and that Hartham Leisure Centre was expected to reopen fully in the Summer of 2023. He said that the swimming pool at Hartham was due to reopen at the end of the month, and its 3G football pitch would be available by the end of August 2022. The Executive Member for Wellbeing said that he was confident that with increased customer interest and confidence attendance levels would exceed those pre-Covid. He thanked both Officers and contractors for their work and cooperation and introduced Dan Humpries, from Everyone Active who led a presentation to the Committee.

Dan Humpries said that it had been a challenging year, he advised that during the lockdown phase in Quarter 1 equipment had been refreshed, and that the facilities at both Hartham and Fanshawe had been used as Covid testing sites.  He said that remote exercise activities had been made available to leisure members via the Everyone Active app, with live workout sessions also available on line via social media platforms. He said that nominations for a month’s free membership for NHS workers upon reopening were also received through the ‘lockdown legends’ scheme.

Dan Humpries said that during Quarter 2 centres reopened, with a focus on retraining staff and a high commitment given to cleaning in line with Covid safe protocols. A walking netball taster was trailed at Hartham in this period.

He said that in Quarter 3 free baby first aid training sessions were offered to new parents. And that Netball camps in partnership with Saracens were organised. The annual Marie Curie Swimathon was also held in July of this period. He went on to say that Quarter 4 saw the launch of the new Grange Paddocks, which achieved a company record for new subscribers in an opening month. This quarter also saw holiday activity camps for disadvantaged families set up in conjunction with Herts Sports Partnership. 

Dan Humpries said that all of the data obtained since the facilities had reopened was positive, and that he was confident that participation would continue to grow. He said that the closure of Hartham swimming pool had affected the data, and that a substantial proportion of revenue came from swim programmes.

He said that dementia awareness was now a key training area for staff. That eighteen new lifeguards had been trained (sixteen of which were local people), and that referrals were still being taken to give ongoing support to talented athletes via the ‘E A Champions’ scheme. He continued that from May 2022 the swimming pools at Hartham and Grange Paddocks would both launch large inflatable sessions, and that Grange Paddocks was investing in its ‘Splash Lagoon’. For more mature users ‘Good Boost’ aquatic based water therapy sessions were being offered, seven day free passes were being given out in partnership with Herts County Council, and ‘Bat and Chat’ table tennis sessions organised.

The Chairman thanked Dan Humpries for his presentation, and reminded Members of the need to move a motion to exclude the press and public should they wish to discuss the exempt information contained with Appendix 1A of the Leisure Annual Report. 

Councillor Huggins said that the report was encouraging and that achieving pre Covid participation numbers looked hopeful. He asked what activities were being offered to members who did not feel confident in returning to use the facilities at centres, to older, more isolated residents and those with mental health issues. Duncan Cogger from Everyone Active said that the activities available to members via the app were still available. He said that they were working with the mental health charity Mind, and were seeking a holistic approach to activity participation. He said that further work was needed in these areas, and that the Community Activity Manager would welcome ideas. Additionally, free memberships were being offered to those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease in partnership with Parkinson’s UK.

Councillor Townsend asked about the available parking spaces at Grange Paddocks. The Head of Operations, said that when the 3G pitch was completed at the end of August 2022 more parking spaces would be released, but that green travel was being promoted.

Councillor Townsend said that the facilities at Grange Paddocks were phenomenal, but he wondered if there were concerns from users regarding the joint changing facilities.  Dan Humpries said that there were private cubicles available and that any specific needs would be discussed with users. 

Councillor Alder asked if the presentation could be emailed to the Committee Members. She also asked if the leisure centres could offer a social space for teenagers, and help with the cost of swimming equipment for deprived families. Dan Humpries said that the gym sessions offered to teenagers had been very successful, and that the forthcoming 3G pitch would offer Friday night sessions to users. He said that the inflatable pool sessions were intended for all groups, and there was an intention to add a ‘pool party’ session to the programme. With regards help with the costs of swim equipment the hiring of swimming costumes was not viable, but other options could be looked into by the Group Aquatics Manager.

The Chairman asked about the energy costs at the leisure centres. Duncan Cogger said that this was the biggest risk of 2022, and that they continued to talk to Government. He added that the centres continued to monitor temperatures to ensure that they were streamlined and efficient. 

The Chairman thanked the Everyone Active representatives for their presentation.

RESOLVED – that the Annual Leisure Report 2021 be received and considered.