Issue - meetings

This report sets out the call-in by 13 Councillors of the decision relating to the warm water swimming provision within the refurbishment plans for Bath Sports and Leisure Centre and Keynsham Leisure Centre. The role of the Panel is to consider the issues raised by the call-in and to determine its response.

The Chair invited the Lead Call in Member Councillor Dine Romero to make a statement. Councillor Romero pointed to the reasons for the Call in as set out in the papers which concern the depth required by WWISE. She explained that there is no comparable accessible pool and the pool at the RUH has a long waiting list. Councillor Romero stated that there is an aging population and as both Bath and Keynsham pools are being refurbished, this is the time to put into place the WWISE requirements. She stated that the decision was well meaning.

The Panel made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Bull asked if the Bath Leisure Centre pool is still heated on Thursdays. Councillor Romero stated that she is aware of this but there are often complications with the length of time taken to heat and cool the pool.

The Chair invited The Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Martin Veal to make a statement. Councillor Veal stated that the Call in is not a challenge to the procurement process but concerns the depth of the teaching pool. He referred to the Panel consideration of the issue at its meeting in January 2017. He quoted Panel members comments and the Chair’s conclusion that the WWISE request is irreconcilable. He asked if things had changed since then. He explained that the WWISE proposals are not considered to be a reasonable adjustment as the required depth would affect the children’s swimming provision and the desired higher temperature would also have consequences. He stated that WWISE have presented at 28 meetings since 2003. Officers have explained that their requirements are not viable and the additional cost is prohibitive. ASA have said the requirements are not something they would support and Sport England refers to the significant effect the requirements would have on Capital cost. The Cabinet member concluded that this was not a decision that was taken lightly and considerable time has been invested. He stated that the decision represented a sustainable financial way forward.

The Panel made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Bull observed that the main obstacle to the WWISE proposals is cost, he asked if this is just the Capital cost? Councillor Veal stated that if the proposals were to be taken forward then there would be ongoing revenue costs and implications for GLL who may not see it as a viable proposition.

Councillor Butters asked what the issues are with the WWISE proposals regarding Keynsham Leisure Centre pool. Marc Higgins – Team Manager, Leisure and Business Development – explained that a moveable floor would have to be installed at significant cost (minimum £1million).

Councillor Bull asked about the heating of the pool on Thursdays in Bath. The officer explained that the main pool is heated for morning and afternoon sessions on Thursdays, it takes time (24hours) to heat the water and is not ideal but part of the measures put in place to attempt to address the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 155