Agenda item

To consider a presentation from the Leisure Services team which will provide an update to the Board on the current provision with a view to inform and prepare for further overview and scrutiny of future developments.

The Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations introduced the item, a copy of the presentation had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘C’ to these minutes in the Minute Book. The presentation, delivered by Dan Stone, Leisure Development & Partnership Manager, provided a comprehensive overview of leisure services across BCP. It detailed the operational models, usage statistics, and capital investments for a wide range of facilities, including leisure centres, golf courses, tennis courts, and recreational venues. BCP Leisure operated several centres in-house, such as Ashdown, Poole Dolphin, Rossmore, Two Riversmeet, and Kings Park, with data presented on fitness and swim memberships, annual footfall, and investments. BH Live Active managed Littledown, Pelhams, and Stokewood under a 10-year external contract, with Littledown alone attracting over 1.5 million visitors annually. Other facilities, including The Junction and The Club at Meyrick Park, were managed under long-term external contracts. The presentation also covered golf courses, with Queens Park managed in-house and others like Solent Meads and Iford under external contracts. Tennis facilities were a mix of in-house and externally managed sites, with Branksome Park and Poole Park showing significant usage. Additionally, there were 48 other recreational facilities, including bowls clubs, watersports centres, and community clubs. Finally, the BIC and Pavilion venues, managed externally, hosted hundreds of events annually, drawing large audiences and contributing significantly to the region’s cultural and economic activity. In the discussion of this item a number of issues were raised including:

·      Underutilised Tennis Sites – Members were informed that interest was regularly expressed in underused tennis and sports sites. However, it was emphasised that any proposals for use must be subject to procurement rules and legal frameworks.

·      Harmonisation – A question was raised regarding whether a unified management model was being considered for all leisure centres. It was clarified that while harmonisation was a long-term aspiration, the diversity of existing contracts means that only certain facilities would be in scope for such a review. An options appraisal was expected to be brought back to the Board in due course. It was noted that market research was carried out for the existing tiered pricing scheme before it was introduced for BCP Leisure

·      Operator Stability and Risk – The Portfolio Holder referenced recent examples of leisure operators collapsing in other parts of the country, resulting in sudden closures. It was noted that the presence of three stable and responsible operators in the BCP area, BH Live, YMCA, and the Council’s in-house team, was considered a strength and an asset to the community. It was noted that there were a number of facilities with external contracts due for renewal.

·      Collaboration with Schools – A suggestion was made to better use underutilised sports facilities in schools. It was noted that many schools had facilities which were not currently available for community use. Officers expressed interest in exploring this further, particularly in light of school funding pressures and the potential for mutually beneficial arrangements.

·      Community Events and Engagement – A proposal was raised to consider reviving community-wide events such as a “Festival of Sport,” providing access to free or low-cost activities. Officers indicated that such an initiative would require coordination with the Council’s events team and would be dependent on funding availability but agreed to explore the idea further.

·      Access to Leisure - Support was expressed for reinstating an “Access to Leisure” scheme, particularly to support residents on low incomes and those with disabilities. It was noted that a similar scheme had previously existed in Poole but had been discontinued.

·      Facility Maintenance – Concerns were raised regarding the long-term maintenance of sports pitches, particularly where community clubs had contributed financially over time. For example, the Hockey Pitch at Ashdown, where the surface was nearing the end of its life. Officers confirmed that a review of outdoor facilities was underway to consider commercial viability and community needs.

    RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Board recommended that Cabinet be urged to put in place an “Access to Leisure” scheme across the whole BCP area as soon as possible, recognising that people in Poole have lost this facility and with particular emphasis on ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities.

Agreed Nem. Con.

Finished: 21:20