Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report set out a proposed approach for a strategic review of the council’s leisure provision that will inform a future management options appraisal. The report also recommended a rationale to extend the current leisure management contract by 30 months, until 31 March 2026 and covered the findings arising from 2021/22 trial of winter opening hours at Jesus Green Lido.

GLL managed the lido.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

      i.          Agreed the proposed approach for completing a strategic review of leisure, to help inform the most optimal future leisure management arrangements for the council.

     ii.          Approved the officer recommendation to extend the current management contract for 30 months until 31st March 2026, under the same terms, but for a reduced management fee.

   iii.          Noted the findings of GLL’s review of the Jesus Green Lido  winter opening pilot and agree to its continuation under the same arrangements.

   iv.          Noted the update and progress on carbon reduction plans at the Council’s swimming pools.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Sport & Recreation Manager.

In response to the report Councillor Bick commented:

      i.          The lido was a good form of social engagement. It attracted people of various ages from casual users to the very fit.

     ii.          People welcomed the lido being open during the winter. Flood lights assisted this when there was less daylight in shorter winter days so people could swim ‘at night’.

   iii.          In future, could all open days be spaced out eg on alternate days?

The Sport & Recreation Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          GLL were using their own maintenance funds to ensure the Jesus Green Lido stayed open to the end of the extended contract period.

     ii.          (Report paragraph 4.4) GLL made savings of £84k pa through capital investment at the start of the project, so there were savings to use now.

   iii.          The contract was extended, not put out to public tender, to give a longer time period to look at options on how to manage leisure facilities. These would be brought back to committee in future.

   iv.          GLL had recruited lifeguards and swimming teachers. Some of these needed to qualify. GLL offered a range of courses and classes to facilitate this. Staffing levels were now close to pre-pandemic levels, so the impact on leisure facilities was limited.

The Committee resolved by 9 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.