Issue - meetings

Prior to introducing the report submitted to the Committee, the Lead Councillor for Environment apologised for mistakenly advising the Committee at its September meeting concerning the project timetable for Spectrum 2.0.  He indicated that in September he had stated that the results of surveys of Spectrum should be available in early or mid-2023 [Minute OS29 refers], whereas the results would be available in the spring of 2022 and a report presented in the summer of 2022. 

In introducing the report submitted to the Committee, the Lead Councillor for Environment noted that Freedom Leisure had not provided all the information that would normally be included within the Annual Report.  He indicated that the scrutiny working group were broadly happy with the day-to-day operations of the leisure facilities, but had expressed some reservations over the lack of detail and context around some of the figures on customer feedback.  The Lead Councillor for Environment stated that the underspent Covid support funding was carried forward into 2021/22 while the business recovers to recover.  He indicated that the Client team were broadly happy with the operations of the venues.  He concluded by thanking the scrutiny working group for their contribution.

The Head of Culture, Heritage and Leisure Services indicated that he had nothing to add to the opening remarks from the Lead Councillor for Environment.

In response to questions, the Head of Culture, Heritage and Leisure Services confirmed that for convenience the Covid support that Freedom Leisure had received for the three leisure facilities had been declared under Spectrum’s income, with the exception of the furlough payments which have been attributed across the three sites. 

In reply to a question about the conclusion within the report that the operation of the leisure venues had been broadly within the acceptable parameters of the contract, the Head of Culture, Heritage and Leisure Services suggested that the sites had previously been run in his opinion better by the Council.  He indicated that while operationally the facilities were well run, the asset management and the availability of investment funding were issues.

The Head of Culture, Heritage and Leisure Services indicated that the Council was in the process of extending the ten-year contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited for a further two years.  He advised that, in conjunction with Waverley Borough Council, an evaluation of options for running leisure facilities across both boroughs was underway.  The Committee was informed that an initial, high-level report on options was being produced by an external consultant procured jointly by the Council and Waverley Borough Council. 

In reply to a question, the Head of Culture, Heritage and Leisure Services outlined to the meeting the customer feedback during 2020-21, indicating that an initial wave of compliments when facilities re-opened was then followed by a higher level of complaints per visitor than would normally be the case.  He indicated that the Covid restrictions made direct comparison to a typical year very difficult due to the unique circumstances.

A member of the Committee asked for an update  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45

The Lead Councillor for Environment introduced the item.  He advised the meeting that the report submitted to the Committee provided a summary overview of Freedom Leisure’s performance in operating the Council’s leisure facilities for the ninth contract year (from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020).  He stated that the preparation of the annual report by Freedom Leisure was delayed due to the furloughing of staff during the pandemic.  In addition, the meeting heard that Freedom Leisure had been unable to provide all the information that would normally be included within the annual report, including a separate catering profit and loss account. 

The Lead Councillor for Environment stated that the reported year’s figures for 2019/20 showed a reported deficit of £43,667 and that consequently no additional payment was due to the Council.  He confirmed that the overview and scrutiny working group members were generally happy with the day to day operation of the facilities, but had expressed concern over the level of investment, the rise in customer complaints, and the long term strategy to address energy consumption.

A member of the Committee asked whether Freedom Leisure and the Council intended to produce an assessment in 6-9 months’ time of the likely future demand for leisure facilities post-pandemic.  In response, the Leisure Services Manager indicated after a successful vaccination rollout he expected people’s leisure choices and behaviour to revert to those preceding the pandemic.  In addition, he highlighted the possible adverse impact of social distancing restrictions on leisure facilities and leisure businesses and noted the changing nature of the leisure sector.

In reply to a question, the Leisure Services Manager indicated that Freedom Leisure’s analysis of its customer complaints and its information sharing with the Council could be improved.

In response to questions, the Leisure Services Manager advised the Committee that enabling works for a major project to renew the drainage at the lido had been completed and that the main works should start at the end of the 2021 season.  He informed the Committee that a new toilet block and changing cubicles would be provided as part of the project.