Agenda item

To consider information on the arrangements for leisure centre contract monitoring.

The Committee resolved that they had considered the information on the arrangements for leisure centre contract monitoring.

The Committee received a report from the Strategic Lead, Leisure on the governance arrangements and reporting mechanisms for the leisure centres contract monitoring. The report outlined that the leisure operator was required to produce an annual plan, monthly and quarterly monitoring reports. To ensure transparency and accountability, a report covering the first six months of the contract for Sunbury Leisure Centre and Eclipse Leisure Centre will be presented to the Committee in June 2025, with annual reports thereafter. Key performance indicators and financial performance will be monitored monthly by the contract monitoring group and quarterly by the Strategic Partnership Board. Regular reporting will help maintain standards and provide members with confidence in contract management.

The Committee requested a brief update on outstanding operational issues with the Eclipse Leisure Centre such as concerns with small pool which was not yet open. The Strategic Lead Leisure advised that the initially appointed contractor would be responsible for conducting any repairs on the pool. The pool had been closed since opening due to safety concerns, though, the centre was fully compliant with building control regulations upon opening. It was explained by the Group Head, Community Wellbeing that any remedial costs would not be accepted as a cost to the Council. The Committee noted it would be practical to conduct any works at a time which caused the least impact to clients. It was confirmed that this was the intention, however, any works would inevitably impact clients and this would be carefully managed by sharing regular communications.

The Committee noted the strategic priority 2 on increasing engagement with specific groups to expand the number participating and the frequency of participation in sport and physical activity amongst certain groups. On this point, members queried how can this be measured for those individuals who used facilities which don’t belong to the Council. The Strategic Lead, Leisure responded that the KPIs being measured were specific to Council owned Leisure Centres and outreach programmes. Kamal expanded on the outreach opportunities offered by the Eclipse Leisure Centre Operator as part of their contract. This involved working with target communities and encouraging them to engage in leisure activities.

The Committee further reflected on a report presented at the previous Committee meeting which concerned the turfed area of the leisure centre and the rooflight enclosure and requested an update on progress. The Strategic Lead Leisure confirmed that a permanent barrier had been installed around the rooflight. In consultation with the Group Head, Chair and Vice Chair of Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee a type of box hedgerow had also been agreed to be installed along the front edge of the centre adjacent to the pavement. Further to discussions with the Leisure Centre Project Team, the intention was to install this hedging at an appropriate time of the year (around the summertime) to ensure best conditions and maintenance of the shrub. In one corner of the centre, a banner advising on car parking arrangements had already been installed to obstruct clients from cutting across part of the grass area.

The Committee questioned when it was expected for the leisure centre to start generating profit for the Council. The Deputy Chief Executive clarified that in consideration of current operational issues and the need to offset these costs, it was likely we would reach a breakeven position by the one year anniversary of the centre opening and thereafter significant and rising contributions would be made to the revenue budget year on year.

Separately, the Strategic Lead Leisure also updated on the news that Eclipse Leisure Centre had been shortlisted as a finalist in the green building and infrastructure project of the year as part of the edie awards. This was an important achievement which was indicative of all the hard work put into this project.

The Committee resolved that they had considered the information on the arrangements for leisure centres contract monitoring.