Issue - meetings

This paper makes recommendations for the future management of three leisure centres (the Dolphin Leisure Centre, Rossmore Leisure Centre, and Ashdown Leisure Centre) in Poole on the ending of the current operating contract with Sports and Leisure Management (SLM).

The recommendations set out in this report are based on evidence from work commissioned from Max Associates leisure consultants. 

The paper outlines the options for future management of the inscope leisure centres including the financial implications and timeframes of the options. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)             Agrees Option 2 an in-house model for the interim future management of the in-scope leisure centres;

(b)            Within the context of (a), asks Officers to undertake a further assessment of options to align the public leisure offer across the BCP Council area and to consider wider use of these sites as part of “enabling council” workstream;

(c)             Approve £151k of in-house set up costs funded by the draw down from the specific earmarked reserve to support the SLM Contract;

(d)            Approves £630k of capital investment via prudential borrowing to fund the in-house set up and investment costs;

(e)             Agrees the 12-month programme, detailed in appendix 4, to bring the facilities in house;

(f)              Agrees to further development and implementation of opportunities for residents’ access to health and fitness services at Bournemouth Indoor Bowls Centre including rebranding the facility in line with BCP Council inhouse leisure offer; and

(g)            Delegates authority to the Director of Commercial Operations in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to implement the recommendations from this report.

Voting: Nem: Con (1 abstention)

Portfolio Holders: Finance

                             Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities

Reason

To support the Council in improving the health and wellbeing of our residents and communities while ensuring the provision of quality financially and environmentally sustainable leisure facilities.   

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the paper makes recommendations for the future management of three leisure centres (the Dolphin Leisure Centre, Rossmore Leisure Centre, and Ashdown Leisure Centre) in Poole on the ending of the current operating contract with Sports and Leisure Management (SLM).

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the recommendations set out in this report are based on evidence from work commissioned from Max Associates leisure consultants, and that the paper outlines the options for future management of the in scope leisure centres including the financial implications and timeframes of the options.

In proposing the report the Portfolio Holder for Finance proposed amendments to recommendations (a) and (b) as set out on the agenda these became the substantive recommendations as set out below.

Councillor Bartlett addressed the Cabinet stressing the importance of holding discussions with BH Live.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)             Agrees Option 2 an in-house model for the interim future management of the in-scope leisure centres;

(b)            Within the context of (a), asks Officers to undertake a further assessment of options to align the public leisure offer across the BCP Council area and to consider wider use of these sites as part of “enabling council” workstream;

(c)             Approve £151k of in-house set up costs funded by the draw down from the specific earmarked reserve to support the SLM Contract;

(d)            Approves £630k of capital investment via prudential borrowing to fund the in-house set up and investment costs;

(e)             Agrees the 12-month programme, detailed in appendix 4, to bring the facilities in house;

(f)              Agrees to further development and implementation of opportunities for residents’ access to health and fitness services at Bournemouth Indoor Bowls Centre including rebranding the facility in line with BCP Council inhouse leisure offer; and

(g)            Delegates authority to the Director of Commercial Operations in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to implement the recommendations from this report.

Voting: Nem: Con (1 abstention)

Portfolio Holders: Finance

                          Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for     Connected Communities

Councillor Millie Earl declared an interest in this item and remained present for the discussion and voting thereon.

Councillor Andy Martin declared an interest in this item and refrained from participating in the vote.