Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing

The Chairman drew attention to the exempt paper and the need to exclude the press and public if Members wished to discuss the contents of it.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Leisure and Technical Services Manager and the above Cabinet Member, which set out the processes undertaken to review the service and arrive at recommendations to extend the  current Leisure Centre Management contract for 5.5 years, with £2m of Council capital funds for improvements and repairs.  The Cabinet Member introduced the report drawing attention to the fact that the current contract expired in 2019, and the need for the review.  The report set out 6 options and short and long term approaches, and the Cabinet Member explained why option 4 was recommended, as set out in the report.  Work on long term options needed to start immediately alongside the wider regeneration of Sittingbourne and Sheerness.  The Cabinet Member drew attention to the removal of the parking subsidy and that discussions had been taking place with Faversham Pools Management Committee.

Discussion ensued regarding the Strategy on the following themes:

·        whether the removal of the parking subsidy would discourage participation;

·        that a car parking subsidy had never been provided in Faversham;

·        disappointment expressed by a Member that the current contract was being extended, and the need to ensure that where possible equipment was maintained rather than replaced;

·        the need to recognise the role that leisure facilities played in diverting youth away from crime; and

·        the need for improved marketing, including upgrading the leisure centre websites, to attract additional members;

The Chairman of Swale Community Leisure spoke in support of the proposals and that he was proud of the efforts that the team had made to make the leisure offer the best it could be.  He referred in particular to the increase in patronage and the fact that following their pledge to get every child swimming by age 11, use of the Sheppey swimming pool by schools had increased from 2 schools to 14 schools.

Other Members spoke in support of the proposals, referring to the history of the arrangements for the leisure centres, changes in government policy, the need to listen to residents and to take steps to refresh the facilities in the medium term, whilst considering longer term options, and also ensuring good value.

The Chairman invited the Executive Officer of Swale Community Leisure to speak.  Mr Dave Harcourt spoke in support of the proposals, referring to the approach that would be taken moving forward, which would save money whilst also with investment in facilities to encourage fitter, healthier and active people in Swale.  He welcomed the opportunity to work with the Council on long term options.

The Leisure and Technical Services Manager answered questions regarding the removal of the subsidy in the car park and likely press coverage of this, drawing on experience from work on similar projects elsewhere.  He drew attention to recommendation 9 and the need to liaise closely with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40