Agenda item

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – ENVIRONMENT

This report provides an update on the first year of the Leisure and Active Communities contract, which commenced on 1 April 2024.

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted and commented on the Leisure and Active Communities Contract performance for 2024/25.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Overview and Scrutiny Committee the opportunity to scrutinise year one of the Leisure and Active Communities contract.

Audio recording – 1 hour 4 minutes 1 second

Councillor Amy Allen, as Executive Member for Environment, presented the report entitled ‘Leisure and Active Communities Contract Year One Overview’ and advised that:

·             The first year of the Leisure and Active Communities contract with Everyone Active had been successfully delivered.

·             Initial challenges during mobilisation around booking systems and operational policies had been resolved as users had adapted to new procedures. 

·             Year one had seen substantial capital investment by both Everyone Active and the Council which included pool safety upgrades, gym refurbishments and facility improvements to ensure modern, customer-focused environments.

·             Performance monitoring from year one would service as a data baseline, as data recorded by the previous operator was not directly comparable.

·             Year two data would also be incomparable due to temporary closures resulting from decarbonisation works.

·             £460,632 had been delivered in social value which signified 13.31% of progress to date.

·             The Active Communities programme to promote physical activity inclusion and health improvements had been launched successfully.

·             The new agency agreement effective May 2025 was expected to improve the VAT position of the Council and deliver £270,000 of surplus with no visible impact on services for customers.

The Regional Contract Manager for Everyone Active provided Members with a visual presentation of the services delivered in year one of the contract, between April 2024 to March 2025.

The following Members asked questions:

·             Councillor Sadie Billing

·             Councillor Claire Winchester

·             Councillor Ralph Muncer

·             Councillor Jon Clayden

·             Councillor David Chalmers

·             Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

In response to questions, the Regional Contract Manager for Everyone Active advised that:

·             Membership discounts based on geographical proximity to centres was not currently being considered.

·             It would be impossible to offer free memberships to all those with disabilities, however, they would take comments on board about expanding their free membership scheme.

·             95% of their staff had worked for Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) previously, and anecdotal feedback from them indicated that facilities had been a lot busier than they had been under the previous contractor.

·             Everyone Active were transparent on their decision making and data collection.

·             Programmes were constantly reviewed to see what worked well.

·             Marketing for their active communities programmes was significant, however, it was acknowledged that the best marketing came from word of mouth and referrals from friends.

·             They were proactive when receiving customer complaints and engaged with the Council where necessary on these. 

·             Capacity of weekend sessions at North Herts Leisure Centre had been reduced due to limited access to changing facilities which had in turn helped to manage vehicle access while a portion of the car park had been closed for decarbonisation works.

·             It was difficult to signpost residents to alternative swimming pools during closures, however, they managed several sports halls and diverted residents to those in Baldock, Stevenage and Central Bedfordshire where possible.

·             Good communication had been maintained with regular hirers ahead of closures. 

·             Green travel plans were in place across all their sites.

In response to questions, the Director – Environment advised that:

·             It would only be possible to compare individual metrics such as swim memberships with the data from SLL.

·             The social value from the contract was monitored through the portal.

·             The closure of changing facilities in the winter had not been ideal. However, the only alternative would have been to close pools completely which would have resulted in a significant loss of income and increased dissatisfaction from residents.

·             It was accepted that some adults would not want to use pools during the changing room closure, however, it seemed that sessions for children had been largely unaffected.

·             Once the changing facilities were reopened, they would push communications to encourage attendance at Family Fun sessions.

The Chair summarised discussions and outlined that the breadth of qualitative and quantitative data records should be retained by Everyone Active, and that concerns from residents should be listened to.

Councillor Jon Clayden proposed and Councillor Sadie Billing seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted and commented on the Leisure and Active Communities Contract performance for 2024/25.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Overview and Scrutiny Committee the opportunity to scrutinise year one of the Leisure and Active Communities contract.