Issue - meetings

To provide the Panel with an update on Leisure provision (report of the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture to provide the Panel with an update on leisure provision.

The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture introduced the report which provided the Panel with an update on the 2021/22 Q4 position for the provision of leisure and the development of the future options and opportunities for leisure provision in South Holland.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members asked if the performance figures within the report had included the recent closures and had the problems which resulted in the closure been overcome?
  • The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture confirmed that the recent closures would be reported at the next update for Q1 2022/2023. Steps had been taken to resolve the issue. 

• Members asked if the facility was fully staffed.
  • The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture stated that Parkwood were working towards full staffing. Measures had included a pay review of younger Life Guards; additional training programmes; and recruitment for a Contract Manager and Operational Managers across the three sites.

• Members referred to section 3.6 of the report regarding the lack of demand for catering and proposed that this had resulted from a poor catering offer, and that the catering offer had been unavailable. Did plans exist to consult with customers to gauge demand which the contractor could provide.
  • The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture responded that consultations with users would take place as part of the future leisure provision planning. The timescale for the consultation was unknown however project milestones would come forward in due course.

• Members welcomed the major investment in a new leisure facility in Spalding but stated that the current facilities needed to be kept running well alongside planning for the future.
  • The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture assured members that the contract was being scrutinised closely. The current facility was ailing which brought challenges but proactive actions were underway.
• Members stated that the increased use of the facilities was encouraging and the difficulties of returning from Covid were acknowledged. The performance of the contract had caused concerns, some of which had resulted from uncontrollable factors whilst others had been controllable and needed to be addressed.
  • The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture confirmed there were a number of national issues which had affected all leisure providers but local issues were also being looked at.
• The Chairman noted that members may receive a briefing on future facilities in due course and become involved in the process.

AGREED:

a)    That members note the 2021/22 Quarter 4 performance outcomes detailed within the report; and

That members note the approach being taken to develop future options and opportunities for leisure provision in South Holland.