Issue - meetings

The Lead Councillor for Commercial Services introduced the item and thanked the members of the scrutiny working group that scrutinised the monitoring of the leisure management contract.  The meeting was advised that the report summarised the contractor’s performance on its operation of the Council’s leisure facilities at Guildford Spectrum, Guildford Lido, and Ash Manor Sports Centre for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. 

A member of the scrutiny working group present at the meeting praised the Spectrum facility and the work of the contractor and officers.

In response to questions, the Joint Executive Head of Commercial Services indicated that the ramp at the Spectrum was the responsibility of the Council and that seasonal staff at the Lido would be trained on how customers could feedback complaints and suggestions. 

The Lead Councillor for Commercial Services advised the meeting that feedback from service users was gathered by Freedom Leisure and shared with Council officers.  A member of the Committee suggested use of a QR code posted near entrances to encourage users to give feedback online.

The Chairman thanked the Lead Councillor for Commercial Services and the Joint Executive Head of Commercial Services for attending.

[During this item, the Chairman, Councillor Spooner, disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as a governor of Ash Manor School.]

The Lead Councillor for Environment and Regulatory Services introduced the item.  He advised the meeting that the first four-month period of the contract year was impacted by Covid restrictions and that the leisure facilities were subject to industry-wide changes.  The Lead Councillor for Environment and Regulatory Services noted that the report submitted to the Committee contained the Annual Report from Freedom Leisure and the minutes of the Annual Report presentation.  He stated that the declared position at the end of the financial year for the contract overall was a deficit of £383,268. 

The Lead Councillor for Environment and Regulatory Services indicated that the members of the overview and scrutiny Leisure Partnership Agreement working group attending the Annual Report presentation by Freedom Leisure had recognised the challenges facing the industry and were generally happy with the day to day operation of the facilities and how the facilities appeared to be recovering following the pandemic.  He invited the Committee members to comment on the performance of Guildford Spectrum, Guildford Lido, and Ash Manor Sports Centre. 

The Joint Executive Head of Commercial Services advised the Committee that the impact of Covid increased the difficulty of comparing performance over recent years.

In response to questions about the comments from service users, the Joint Executive Head of Commercial Services informed the Committee that there had not been any specific complaints about accessibility.  He agreed to take forward a suggestion to seek customer feedback about accessibility of the facilities. 

A member of the Committee referred to the issues with Ash Manor School, including the impact on income from the main hall and the dispute about the energy bill.  In reply, the Joint Executive Head of Commercial Services confirmed that he was the officer responsible for progressing these issues and hoped to be meeting the school’s headteacher soon.

In reply to points raised about gym facilities and membership, the Joint Executive Head of Commercial Services told the meeting that the Spectrum gym area had been refurbished and that the issue of available gym staff would be followed up with the contractor.

In response to concerns raised about energy costs, the Joint Executive Head of Commercial Services advised that the Council was working with Freedom Leisure to bring in energy reductions at the Spectrum.  He indicated that the age of the Spectrum increased the challenge of reducing energy costs there.

The Chairman summarised the discussion and suggested the value to the Borough of the Council’s leisure services.  He expressed support for those involved in efforts to continue Council leisure services in the Borough and sympathy for the challenges facing the operator.

RESOLVED:  That the Leisure Partnership Agreement objectives detailed at section 3.4 of the report submitted to the Committee be endorsed.