Issue - meetings

To consider the issuing of licences for fitness training including the proposed pricing structure whereby instructors pay a nominal fee.

The Committee considered a report from the Leisure Development Manager on Group Training Licenses in parks. The report set out the objective to adopt a new procedure and invite applications to ensure fitness instructors who use our parks have licences in place. This would also include a new pricing structure, offering a lower price for groups with less participants.

The Committee initially expressed that this was a proactive arrangement which would regulate activity in our parks, particularly as all fitness trainers will be required to provide risk assessments and public liability insurance.

Other members raised that the proposal to issue licences along with fees and charges was not a priority for the Council. This new arrangement was seen to disadvantage self-employed individuals and would potentially discourage trainers from using our parks. It was suggested that an alternative process should be implemented to instead register with a one off nominal fee and allow trainers to carry digital passes for identification purposes. The Leisure Development Manager emphasised that this procedure was intended to safeguard residents as well as trainers. The pricing structure had been moderated since this report was previously presented at Neighbourhood Services Committee in March 2024 and was also based on other authorities, presenting good value for money.

The Committee considered whether there was a risk that associated fees and charges may increase in future to cover the costs to supervise the activity in parks. The Deputy Chief Executive clarified that he did not expect the fees and charges to increase. 

It was proposed by Councillor Bateson, and seconded by Councillor Arnold to approve the preferred recommendation subject to reviewing this arrangement after one year and reporting back to Committee to ensure this new arrangement was working well and that fees and charges remained the same.

The Committee voted on the amended recommendation and by majority vote, the Committee resolved to approve the issuing of licences for fitness training including the proposed pricing structure whereby instructors pay a nominal fee subject to reviewing this arrangement after one year and reporting back to Committee.