Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Interim Chief Finance Officer (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Interim Chief Financial Officer providing an update on Splash Park performance for the 2024 season.

The report provided background information regarding the operation of the splash park which was being undertaken by Places Leisure (PL) following a successful pilot period in 2022 and approval by the Council for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Appendix 1 to the report detailed the financial performance for the splash park along with comparable information for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The Commercial Manager, in his presentation of the report, drew Members’ attention to a number of areas which highlighted to the financial performance being reported.

It was noted that the Council had agreed to include operation of the splash park as part of the recent procurement exercise to identify a new leisure partner for a period of 10 to 25 years. PL had been awarded a 20-year partnership arrangement commencing in March 2025 and future delivery of the splash park would be monitored via the future Place Leisure and Maldon District Council Liaison Group who would meet quarterly.

During the lengthy debate that ensued a number of questions were raised by Members and in response the Commercial Manager provided the following information:

·                The splash park would be commissioned in April to ensure that if there were any bacterial or water testing responses that these could be addressed prior to the planned opening of the splash park in May half term. The high costs reported for April and May 2024 related to the high bacterial content.

·                With regards to the setting of opening times, Members would have opportunity to feed into this through the proposed Partnership Board which would then present these to PL.

·                UV filters were not currently installed, however significant investment was planned for the 2025 season, along with investment in the green infrastructure to see the splash park performing as carbon neutral.

·                Reference was made to having free sessions making the splash park accessible to all and it was noted that concession pricing was being considered.

·                The opening times for 2025 were set out within the report and Members were advised that once open it would be possible to extend the hours, where appropriate and the Council would have discussions with PL regarding this.

Councillor A S Fluker proposed that a report be brought to a meeting of the Council to appoint Members to the proposed PL Partnership Board and that the recommendation set out the report be agreed. This was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             that Members reviewed provided feedback on the summary of the 2024 Splash Park season;

(ii)            that a report be brought to a meeting of the Council to consider and appoint Members to the Places Leisure Partnership Board.