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 all leisure providers in the Borough to plan for the long term future of leisure provision.

Resolved:

(1) That a five and a half year extension of the current Leisure Management Contract with Swale Community Leisure starting on 1 October 2019 based on the agreed Heads of Terms variations and Swale Community Leisure financial offer, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.

(2) That the £2million of Council capital funding already allocated in the budget be used for the Leisure Centre capital improvements, as summarised in Appendix I.

(3) That the removal of subsidised car parking for users of the Leisure Centres from 1 October 2018 be approved.

(4) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Property in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance to finalise negotiations and complete the transfer of the management of Central House to Swale Community Leisure ending at the same time as resolution 1 above.

(5) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact to commission Serco to manage and complete the proposed capital works up to a sum of £2m of building improvements on behalf of the Council and using the existing Works Procurement Agreement.

(6) That the revision of the current agreement between the Council and Serco Leisure Operating Limited to deliver all repairs and maintenance works for the leisure centre sites including the common parts/systems within Central House for the 5.5 year contract extension starting 1 October 2019 be approved.

(7) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and the Head of Legal Partnership, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance to complete and sign off the final contract extension documents and variations as detailed in the Heads of Terms set out in the exempt report.

(8) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Property in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance to issue new leases for the relevant property and land in line with the contract extension period.

(9) That work continues on future leisure options and a report to come back by Spring 2019 with a detailed appraisal of options 5 & 6 ‘long term provision for Swale’s leisure centres’.