Agenda item

The Council requires a Leisure Strategy to determine its investment and service delivery options for the next 25 years.

A key function of the leisure strategy is to form the basis for a procurement process for a new leisure contract.

The Panel are asked to consider a presentation on the direction of travel of the strategy.

The Chairman invited Susan Charles to read out her statement, and also statements from Jenny Shrubsall and Joyce Stock.

Susan Charles expressed her concerns (quote) ‘about the lack of specified disabled parking for users of the Keynsham Leisure Centre, which was removed in 2007 and with no suitable alternative being offered’ (quote finished).

All three statements are attached as Appendix 3 to these minutes.

Councillor Brian Simons (Keynsham North Ward Councillor and Member of the Panel) said that he will discuss the issue over disabled access at Keynsham Leisure Centre with Ms Charles and the relevant Council officers outside the meeting. 

Members of the Panel debated the issues raised in the statements.

Councillor Geoff Ward said that he will, as Shadow Cabinet Member, speak to Matthew Smith (Divisional Director for Environmental Services) on this matter.

The Chairman also asked that the statements are sent to the appropriate Cabinet Member/s.  The Chairman also said that the Panel does not have any decision making powers like Cabinet Member/s have but that the Panel will expect prompt replies from the relevant Cabinet Member/s and officers on this matter for the next meeting.

It was RESOLVED to send the statement to the relevant Cabinet Member/s and to receive replies on this matter at the next meeting of the Panel.

The Chairman invited Marc Higgins (Business Development Manager from Sport and Active Lifestyle Team) to give the presentation.

Marc Higgins highlighted the following points in his presentation:

• Vision for discussion
• Health and Wellbeing Strategy
• Health and Wellbeing Initial Consultation
• Health and Wellbeing – Emerging Priorities
• The Strategy
• Facilities
• Initial conclusions
• Opportunities
• Feasibility
• Procurement
• Next steps

A full copy of the presentation is attached as Appendix 4 to these minutes.

The Panel made the following points:

The Panel asked if the report needed to be more complete and overarching so the procurement process fit in the strategy.  The Panel also asked what is the cross-border use of the facilities in B&NES and what opportunities exist to engage people from outside B&NES to use facilities.

Marc Higgins showed a diagram (Appendix 5 to these minutes) to the Panel on how the strategy will fit together in terms of the other strategies, budget, and procurement process.  Marc Higgins also said that cross-border issue is not so strong in Bath whilst a bit better in Keynsham.  The Council will look into redevelopment of Keynsham facilities to bring even more customers from outside B&NES.

The Panel asked how the Council set its 25 year delivery programme.

Marc Higgins replied that the 25 year delivery programme was based on housing projection number for the area, trying to set in parallel with the Core Strategy.

The Panel asked about the work with other organisations and venues (i.e. Bath University, Lambridge training ground, etc.) and also about the issue of heated swimming pools in Keynsham.

Marc Higgins replied that the Council has a very good working relationship with organisations such as Bath University.  The issue of heated swimming pools is part of the consultation process for January 2014.

The Panel commented that young people are quite keen to get into sports centres but they could not afford the monthly cost of it. 

Marc Higgins replied that discussion with young people will be part of the consultation. 

The Panel also said that the Council should also get in touch with Curo.

It was RESOLVED to note the report and presentation and receive draft strategy at one of the future meetings.