Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities providing an update on the performance and delivery of the Leisure Management Contract, which commenced in March 2025.

Councillor N D Spenceley declared an interest in this item of business as a user of Blackwater Leisure Centre.

The Chairperson advised the Committee that the Commercial Manager was unable to attend and deferred to the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities to present the report.

The report provided background information regarding the Leisure Contract, including the refurbishment works planned and key milestones achieved to date. The Council held weekly operation meetings with the contractor alongside monthly project meetings with the wider design team. Performance and financial information was cascaded to the Senior Leadership Team on a monthly basis along with the Leisure Contract Partnership Board (consisting of Officers, Members and Places Leisure management team) which met quarterly. Members were advised that these arrangements ensued early identification of any emerging issues and reinforced the share commitment across all parties to deliver high-quality leisure services for residents of the district. The finance model for the contract was set out in Appendix 1.

In response to a request from the Chairperson, the Director of Finance then provided Members with further detail regarding the figures detailed in Appendix 1, the impact of Local Government Reorganisation and the risk to the Council. In response to a question regarding further breakdown of the figures Members were advised that this information was received by the Leisure Contract Partnership Board and it was agreed that this information would be circulated to Members of the Committee.,

During the debate that followed and in response to questions raised the following information was provided by Officers:

·                In respect of Appendix 1, black figures represented expenditure and red figures income.

·                It was confirmed that there were a number of concessions for different types of disability benefits and as a result of some gaps being identified Places Leisure were reviewing these, the results of which would be reported back to the Leisure Contract Partnership Board.

·                The Chairperson asked that Officers look at whether there was a mechanism where information regarding the Leisure Contract could be reported back to this Committee.

·                The Director of Finance advised that if the Council was making a return in respect of this contract this would be accommodated by the Council’s budget planning and would go back into wider investment into the local area. Officers were looking at how this could be specifically targeted around the leisure centre.

The Chairperson agreed with the discussion, highlighting the current cost of living crisis and the need to be fair and balanced, giving back to the local community where there was opportunity to do so. She then moved the recommendations set out in the report which were duly seconded and agreed.

The Chairperson requested that Officers report back to the Committee regarding governance and whether it could make a recommendation in respect of the Leisure Management Contract.

RESOLVED

(i)             That Members note the progress of the Leisure Management Contract, including the on schedule- refurbishment programme, stable membership performance, and the positive development of the social outreach programme;

(ii)            That Members note that financial performance is being delivered as set out in the contract. This includes the fixed management fee which is monitored quarterly via the Leisure Contract Partnership Board.