The Committee is asked to consider the Draft Indoor Sports Facility Strategy 2015 – 2025 (attached).

The Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage and the Head of Economy and Community Services to the meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage introduced the report which outlined the work that had been undertaken by consultants to determine the future need and demand for indoor sports facilities. He emphasised how important it was that post-2019 when the current contract with Swale Community Leisure Limited (SCLL) and Serco Leisure Ltd who managed the Swallows and Sheppey Leisure Centre ended, the most suitable number and type of facilities were provided for local residents and visitors to Swale. The Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage further highlighted the likelihood of a future reduction in available funding for sports facilities, a discretionary service, and the provision of the service from the private sector and voluntary organisations.  He drew attention to the proposal and feedback at items 3.1 and 3.2 on page 2 of the report and invited the views of the Policy Development Review Committee Members.

In answer to a question about the mandatory nature of the service, the Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage advised that the Government made sports facilities non-mandatory in 1987.

A Member sought clarification on whether the expectation of spending to support sports facilities in the Borough was likely to reduce in the future. The Head of Economy and Community Services advised that the need, then the cost would be considered and there were possible efficiencies for the Council although the costs were sometimes neutral.  The Leader agreed and gave an example of a swimming pool out of the Borough that made a profit.

In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Economy and Community Services advised that the participation rates in sport and active recreation numbers were compared with neighbouring authorities, rather than national authorities just to gain a comparable idea, but further regional and national information could be sought from Sport England.

A Member asked if any sports facilities would be provided as part of the Sittingbourne Regeneration, referred to the information at 2.2 on page 15 regarding the requirement of local authorities to provide leisure facilities as part of the National Planning Policy Framework and highlighted the out-of-date population figures at 2.7 on page 23 which did not reflect the future increase in housing numbers to a likely 15,000 new homes.  The Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage advised that the Council needed to identify its needs first and Spirit of Sittingbourne or developers may then be involved and the population figures would be updated.  

A Member highlighted the use of the natural coastline, as identified at the bottom of page 7, as a major issue and several Members sought clarification on the 53% satisfaction rate in using Council leisure facilities as referred to at the bottom of page 8.  The Head of Economy and Community Services agreed to clarify the information from the Local Area Perception Survey and report back to Members if the information was available.

In response to further discussion on the use of the Natural Coastline, the Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage agreed that there was a lot of scope for water sport activities in this area and highlighted the clean water off the Sheppey coast as a benefit.

In respect of halls currently used to host sports activities, a Member stated that village halls were used more often and that a hall at the Swallows had recently been converted to a gym.  The Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage agreed that small village halls were better suited for specific classes and the accessibility of village halls should be encouraged.  The Head of Economy and Community Services considered that residents may prefer the less formal surroundings of a village hall to exercise and any activity that could encourage more participants should be promoted. She further added that the capacity and provision of sports halls at the Swallows and Sheppey Leisure Centre would be considered along with other sports facilities in the Borough such as at the Oasis Academy, but future demands and costs would be considered.

In answer to a suggestion that a multi-purpose arena to host music events as well as a gym could be built, the Head of Economy and Community Services advised that it would not be financially viable.  She advised that outdoor free events were being considered such as a Park run at Milton Creek Country Park which was welcomed positively by Members.

A Member stated that the Swallows and Sheppey Leisure Centre now offered a better package than previously, had hosted successful events and had facilities for conferences.  Another Member spoke of the popularity of the Swallows from his personal experience but considered that since, according to the table on page 29 of the report, there would still be a predicted spare capacity in 2025, the Service Level Agreements should be interrogated to explain why the facility was not attractive to users. The same Member highlighted that the table on page 9 showed future projections based on historical performance. The Chairman agreed that there should be a major focus on the contract in future.

A Member sought clarification on strategy documents and was directed to the table on Page 7 of the report.  The same Member highlighted the promotion of free activities such as cycling and the issues of school indoor sports facilities that included costs; reliance on school facilities and performance; effort from schools and also spoke of the availability of funding through Section 106 Agreements.  The Head of Economy and Community Services advised that Member grants and sport grants could assist with the costs of equipment in schools, the coastal/cycle route was already being promoted and confirmed that the Coastal Strategy was within the Corporate Plan. A Member suggested the Sheppey Coastal Community Fund could provide funding.

The Leader warned that staff resources should not be wasted on strategy documents in view of the forthcoming spending review which may impact on staff and highlighted the Kings Fund charity and its relationship with health.

A Member advised that there was a clear policy on providing play equipment on new developments, considered that the consultation on the report should include outdoor facilities as well as indoor facilities and suggested the review should focus on the needs of the future which may be different to the current requirements.

The Chairman highlighted the many gyms in the Borough, but noted the lack of squash courts and indoor football pitches.  The Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage responded that Funding for Sport England did not include gyms which could be commercially lucrative.

A Member sought clarification from the report that 11 of the 15 deprived neighbourhoods were on the Isle of Sheppey where facilities were the most used.

The Head of Economy and Community Services agreed to seek further detail from the consultants and report back.  An error was noted in the head of Table 6 on page 27 which should have read Change in Population 2015 – 2025.

A Member referred to the transfer of responsibility for the management of sport and leisure facilities as at 2.4.5 on page 18 of the report and the importance of effective service level agreements and regular monitoring and was advised by the Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage that this would be in the Action Plan.

A Member suggested a change of wording to the first line in Proposed Strategic Priorities on Page 9 of the report to This Strategy recognises the market may provide where needs exists and can achieve an acceptable return on investment.  The Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage agreed to consider the amendment.

A Member stated that the maps used in the report were out-of-date and showed old ward boundaries whilst the Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Culture and Heritage agreed that another Member could suggest rewording of the second bullet point on page 9 to include healthy living for all population.

A Member suggested ways of reducing obesity and sought confirmation that physical disability issues had been factored into the report whilst the Head of Community Services agreed to confirm the cost of the report from RPC Consultants and report back.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Head of Economy and Community Services agreed to contact outside bodies to consult on the report.

Resolved:

(i)             That the report be noted.