Agenda and minutes

Councillors D Brown, F Keegan, D Flude and J Hammond.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35, a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Sub-Committee on any matter relevant to its work. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

During public speaking time, members of the public may ask questions of the Chairman on any matter relevant to the work of the Sub-Committee.

Note: in order for the Officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if questions were submitted at least one working day before the meeting.

There were no members of the public present.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2009.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2009 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the progress of the Leisure Management Options Appraisal being conducted by PMP Consultants.

Members considered a report on the progress of the Leisure Management Options Appraisal being conducted by PMP/Genesis Consultants.

Andy Farr of PMP/Genesis attended the meeting and gave a presentation on the Options Appraisal.

Various leisure management delivery models had been used by local authorities over the last 20 years. PMP/Genesis had been commissioned by Sport England and Sporta to produce an evaluation of the experience of Trusts and local authorities in the North-West over the last decade. Five models were discussed:

1. in-house management (the current position in Cheshire East)
2. private leisure contractor
3. non-profit distributing organisation (Trust or social enterprise)
4. management buy-out
5. trade sale

The benefits and limitations of each model were outlined and examples from authorities in the North-West and elsewhere were discussed. The main alternatives to the Council’s current in-house arrangements appeared to be options 2 and 3.

Members asked for details of the proposed consultation arrangements on the options. Rob Hyde advised that the unions had already been consulted. There was now a need to consult the public, customers, swimming clubs, head teachers and the primary care trusts, and this would follow when the consultants’ recommendations were received.

There was also a need to consider how to consult Members and the political groups. Members indicated that they would wish their respective political groups to be consulted separately. Andy Farr proposed to give an updated version of his presentation on a number of dates to be arranged following the meeting.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Chairman thanked Andy Farr for his presentation.

RESOLVED

That the contents of the report and presentation be noted.

To consider a report on progress with the free swimming initiative for people 16 years and under and people 60 years and over introduced on the 1 April 2009.

Members received a report on progress with the free swimming initiative for people aged 16 years and under and people aged 60 years and over, which had been introduced on 1 April 2009.

Details of free swimming registrations completed for the swimming pools in the Cheshire East area prior to 1 April, including those completed in the first quarter of operation, had been circulated to Members. The free swimming initiative had increased participation and physical activity.

Cheshire East had received grant aid from the Government to help offset some of the lost revenue from offering free swimming.

Projects under development using the initial free swimming capital allocation

(Total £108,000) were:

Wilmslow Leisure Centre

Limited refurbishment and redecoration of the male and female wet changing and shower areas.

(Estimated free swimming capital allocation - £35,000)

Sandbach Leisure Centre

Upgrade of the male and female wet changing area to include the replacement of the existing staffed cloakroom system with self service lockers.

(Estimated free swimming capital allocation - £35,000)

Nantwich Swimming Pool

Provision of a new DDA compliant pool entrance and reception (topping up funding earmarked within property services for DDA compliance work)

(Estimated free swimming capital allocation - £38,000)

Quotations for each scheme were being sought and final recommendations would be made in the early autumn.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

The next meeting would be held on Thursday, 8 October 2009 at 2.00 pm in the Board Room, Macclesfield Town Hall