Agenda item

There will be a presentation by GLL at the meeting.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement introduced this item to the Panel by giving them a presentation. A copy of the presentation will be available online as an appendix to these minutes, a summary is set out below.

Contractual Aims/Requirements:

·  OJEU procurement of 20 year contract

·  To improve customer experience and sustain and improve participation levels

·  Built Facilities included in the contract: Bath, Keynsham, Chew Valley, Bath City Academy/Culverhay and Odd Down

·  Condition surveys identified £2.2 million of backlog maintenance for Bath Leisure Centre alone and £5.735 million across the contract

·  Built Facilities – Improve disabled access to the buildings and improve the offer for those with disabilities and long term health conditions

·  Fit for Life – More focus on families and young people, attracting new users, particularly those who are traditionally less engaged in physical activity.

·  The proposed changes increase usage from 660,000 visits per year to over 970,000 per year, a 35% increase

Contract Governance:

·  Cabinet

·  Leisure Programme Board

·  Project Board – Managing Works – Bath and Keynsham

·  Design Team meetings

·  Contractor meetings

·  Key Performance Indicators

Councillor Alan Hale asked if financial plans will be submitted as part of the contract.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement replied that they would.

Councillor Bob Goodman asked if the previous contract had within it repair obligations as the identified £2.2m relating to Bath Leisure Centre is a more than significant sum.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement replied that she would have to find out that information and respond to the Panel in due course.

Councillor Neil Butters asked what the difference in costs would be if the Leisure Centre was rebuilt not refurbished.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement replied that the Leisure Centre in Bath can only be refurbished and not knocked down and rebuilt.

Councillor Jonathan Carr asked what level of public scrutiny will take place.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement replied that GLL have an internal scrutiny process alongside a good customer dialogue.

Councillor Bob Goodman asked what the ratio would be between the Council and GLL for contributing to the £2.2m maintenance.

The Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement replied that she would have to find out that information and respond to the Panel in due course.

Tony Wallace, Regional Director (GLL) and Jason Curtis, Partnership Manager (GLL) addressed the Panel with some additional presentation slides. A summary is set out below.

Progress to date:

·  £1million invested in the facilities since the start of the contract (Bath gym equipment replacement, Culverhay health and fitness upgrade, Bath Pavilion upgrade and upgraded signage and branding)

·  Achieved nearly 900,000 visitors in first 9 months. On track to achieve 1.2m for the first year = 4% up

·  Memberships have grown from 4,621 to 5,047

·  Over 2,600 Swim School customers – up 3%

·  Health referrals have doubled from average 45 to 90 p.m.

·  Additional 8 – 10 FTE staff to be employed

Exciting New Product Development:

·  New learner pool

·  Reception reconfiguration

·  Changing rooms upgrade

·  New trampoline park

·  8 lane ten pin bowling

·  Spa facility

Engagement:

·  252 responses / 75% positive about the scheme

·  Everything possible is being done to accommodate the displaced sports

Key Issues:

Reduction of sports hall size

·  Lots of positives about introducing Ten Pin Bowling but some concerns as to whether 4 badminton courts will be enough.

·  Priority use will be given to badminton with football moving to the outdoor courts. During the works, recreational badminton will be offered in the Pavilion.

Loss of bowls hall

·  Concerns around the service offer for older people.

·  Short mat bowls will be offered in the main hall. In addition a wider sports offer will be introduced for the older population to include sports such as table tennis, short tennis, boccia and others.

Loss of squash courts

·  Concerns from squash leagues and clubs. 

·  Transition funding offer agreed with Lansdown Squash Club to offer reduced priced membership. In discussion with other clubs to open up additional courts to any displaced users.

Keynsham Leisure Centre:

·  2 options being drawn up. Option 1 – New build / Option 2 – Refurb

·  Proposed use of existing site

·  Facility mix still being worked up

·  Further engagement planned in June; facilitated with the Town Council to respond to the issues raised in the Placemaking Plan consultation

Summary:

·  A positive start to the partnership

·  Direction of travel for participation, memberships and revenues good

·  Good early progress on investments

·  Positive relations between GLL and BANES

·  Performance against key indicators on track

·  Annual Service Plan referencing around 30 KPI’s

Councillor Bob Goodman commented that he was pleased to see the Pavilion receiving some much needed investment.

Tony Wallace replied that £80,000 has been initially invested and that they see real potential in the facility. He added that they would be seeking to hold more live events there.

Councillor Dine Romero commented that displaced people looking to play football and netball could be accommodated at BCA. She asked if they had considered providing women only sessions in the swimming pool at Bath Leisure Centre and if teenagers / young people would be disenfranchised by the introduction of a fun pool.

Tony Wallace replied that in terms of pool use the period of closure would give an opportunity to assess the needs required. He added that he felt that overall once the works had been completed there would be more offers available at the centre for young people.

Councillor Dine Romero asked if the introduction of turnstiles at the reception would prevent parents from dropping off their children.

Tony Wallace replied that parents will be supplied with their own admission cards to enable them to drop off and pick up their children.

Councillor Peter Turner asked what they deemed to be their biggest risks regarding their plans.

Tony Wallace replied that ensuring that the project keeps to its timescales was important and that any compromises could be detrimental and therefore deemed as a risk.

Councillor Jonathan Carr asked as the contract is for a period of 20 years will there ongoing investment.

Tony Wallace replied that a lifecycle maintenance pot will be maintained alongside a schedule of planned works.

Councillor Neil Butters asked if the Bath leisure Centre would be able access the natural hot spa waters.

Tony Wallace replied that they were looking into that possibility.

Councillor Dine Romero asked how they intend to keep the public aware of matters relating to the centres.

Tony Wallace replied that a full communications plan was being put together to give advance notice of changes / closure of services.

Councillor Dine Romero asked if a climbing wall was still being considered as part of the plans.

Tony Wallace replied that it might be considered as a future option for the inside of Keynsham Leisure Centre or for an outside wall of the Bath Leisure Centre.

Councillor Dine Romero asked if the café would use locally procured products and ingredients.

Tony Wallace replied that it would procure locally where possible.

Councillor Jonathan Carr asked as part of a public scrutiny exercise they would let the Panel review their progress at a future meeting.

Tony Wallace replied that he would be happy to return to the Panel. He added that GLL have an open policy on customer feedback.

The Chair asked for further definition of the KPIs mentioned.

Tony Wallace replied that he could provide this information to the Panel.

The Chair thanked the representatives of GLL and the Group Manager for Public Protection & Health Improvement for their presentations on behalf of the Panel.