Agenda item

Two members of the public have registered to make a statement to the Panel:

·  Susan Charles – Chair Warm Water Inclusive Swimming and Exercise Network

·  Eamon McClelland – Equalities Strategy

Susan Charles, Chair, Warm Water Inclusive Swimming & Exercise (WWISE) Network addressed the Panel. A copy of the statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a brief summary is set out below.

She said that it was absolutely vital that an integral part of the leisure provider contract negotiations included the provision of fully accessible warm water pools at 32C, with changing facilities suitable for all ages and all levels of disability. Such pools fit well within your Vision as a Council and will also assist in the delivery of your Health & Wellbeing Strategy, your Children & Young People’s Plan and now your Fit for Life Strategy. Furthermore they will ensure that, at long last, B&NES will have leisure facilities which are truly inclusive and available to all members of the community. Finally, they create the potential of enormous savings to the NHS & Social Service budgets.

She added that they recognised that warm water pools with fully accessible facilities for people of all ages whatever their level of disability can be expensive. However, if incorporated at the planning stage of a new or remodelled facility, they become part of the overall design.

She said the people that need these facilities would then have the chance to become healthier & fitter, manage their own conditions, thus improving their quality of life and helping them to maintain their independence.

She asked that the Council give it the most serious consideration.

Councillor Colin Barrett asked if after campaigning for so long she could see any light at the end of the tunnel.

Susan Charles replied that she could see that there could be, but needed the Council to support them in their request.

Councillor Barry Macrae commented that he was a supporter of this type of therapy. He asked though if at this stage they could identify any actual savings.

Susan Charles replied that she did not have any figures to hand. She said that the Network had held talks with the Divisional Director for Environmental Services to discuss the matter. She added that a provider may wish to invest in the pools or that grants may be available.

The Chairman thanked her for her statement.

Eamon McClleland addressed the Panel. A copy of the statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a brief summary is set out below.

He spoke of the requirement for public authorities to develop and publish an Equalities Strategy.

He said that in particular the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) came into force across Great Britain on 5^th April 2011. It means that public bodies have to consider all individuals when carrying out their day-to-day work – in shaping policy, in delivering services and in relation to their own employees.

The PSED requires authorities to ensure their procurement process promotes equality and achieves wider social benefits and opportunities.

He added that authorities must comply with the best guidance document Buying Better Outcomes – Mainstreaming Equalities considerations in procurement. The guidance states that it is ‘a way for a public authority to deliver its broader strategic objectives, in addition to the core purpose of a contract and value for money’.

Also in relation to equalities provision ‘it is important that they are considered upfront before the procurement process starts’.

For some years, Access B&NES have been working with the Council, Aquaterra, the Bath Spa Trust and all available authorities to endeavour to deliver a facility suited to the needs of a large sector of the population of Bath and North East Somerset.

He said that in a survey conducted between 2005 – 09 37% of people responded to say that they felt they faced barriers to access facilities.

He commented briefly on the Fit for Life Strategy to say that he felt it was a good document as it aims to ‘support and improve the health and wellbeing of the population by ensuring sustainable, high quality sport and physical activity infrastructure and opportunities to enable residents to live active lives, helping to prevent ill health, reduce social isolation and maintain independence for longer’.

Councillor Barry Macrae asked what did the Council not do currently that would improve the current situation.

Eamon McClleland replied that a joined up approach was needed. He said that arrangements needed to be in place to enable people to get from their home to leisure facilities and that then those facilities need to have appropriate changing and toilet provision.

Councillor Charles Gerrish commented that he was in the process of co-ordinating a meeting with the relevant Cabinet Members to see if any progress can be made on this matter. He asked how the Council can get better at hearing the views of the public. 

Eamon McClleland replied that the Council needed to open a range of channels of communication so that the public have easier ways to pass on their messages.

The Chairman thanked him for his statement.

The Chairman then read out the following statement on behalf of the Council.

The Council is looking at a range of options – including accessible teaching pools – as it seeks to modernise its leisure facilities, this is supported by the ‘Fit for Life’ Strategy.

The Council and the CCG will be working closely to ensure that the new leisure contract provides the best possible service for local people and supports them to live healthy lifestyles. 

It is important to clarify that the provision of warm water swimming facilities is not the same as the provision of hydrotherapy services which is a specialist health service provided from appropriately equipped, specialist facilities and funded by the CCG. 

The Council’s objective is to provide accessible leisure facilities, rather than specialist health services, for which there is advice and guidance on best practice produced by Sport England in their ‘Accessible Sports Facilities Design Guidance Note. 

(http://www.sportengland.org/media/30246/Accessible-Sports-Facilities-2010.pdf)

The Council appreciates comments from the public as it continues to develop plans for delivering these options through dialogue with potential contractors as part of the procurement process for the new leisure contract.  This contract will be awarded in January 2015, with a contract start date of July 2015.