Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the performance of the Leisure Centres following their re-opening facilitated by a support package agreed by Cabinet at its extraordinary meeting on 22 July 2020.

The Chief Finance Officer presented an update on the operation of the Leisure Centres. He advised that the situation had changed since the report was circulated, with the Leisure Centres closing during a further period of lockdown from 5 November until 2 December. As schools would remain open, Sunbury Manor School was being given access to the hall at Sunbury Leisure Centre for PE classes and Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) staff would be available to facilitate this.

SLM had clarified they would take a soft hibernation approach during this new lockdown, including the continuation of maintenance and inspection routines using minimal staff to allow them to react quickly and smoothly when lockdown ended. They had only made one post redundant and hoped to avoid further.  The majority of staff were on the extended national furlough scheme.

Prior to the current situation, the Chief Finance Officer advised that the use of the two Centres had been steadily improving. The Council had received regular reports on the level of activity usage and monthly accounts on expenditure which had given reassurance that the Leisure Centres were operating as the Council had anticipated when the support package was provided.

The Chief Finance Officer advised that the operator had achieved a small surplus compared to the information given in the report. However, they had requested flexibility from the Council in the event they required additional financial support as a result of the second lockdown. He advised that any request for additional funding would be discussed with the Council. Finally he commented that the government had ring fenced £100 million to help Local Authority leisure centres and details on the allocation of that funding was expected soon.

The Committee noted the update.