Decision:
Cabinet was informed that due to the potential timeframes involved, and the fact that the Special Meeting of the Environment and Community Panel, along with Corporate Performance Members the Chairman of the Corporate Performance Panel has assented to standing order 12.15 which prevents the call in process.
RESOLVED:1) That the findings and conclusions of the Leisure Options Appraisal report be noted and endorsed.
2) That the positive features of and outcomes from the current model of service delivery via Alive Leisure and Alive Management be noted.
3) That the preferred option for the future delivery of leisure services be to move to a new Not for Profit Local Authority Controlled Company (LACC) be confirmed, and within the LACC the Council would look to include representation from the business community. Recognising the achievements and enhancements made to leisure services under the stewardship of Alive Leisure Trustees over the past four years, the Chief Executive be instructed to engage positively with the Trust to seek an agreed way forward for the future provision of these services in the Borough and to report back to Cabinet on the outcome of these discussions to the meeting scheduled for 2nd October.
4) That the Property Services Manager be authorised to implement the break clauses in the leases for each of the leisure facilities, currently leased to Alive Leisure.
5) That the Chief Executive and the Executive Director of Commercial Services in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Health be authorised to take the necessary actions to implement the new arrangements.
Reason for Decision
To reduce the current level of subsidy required to deliver the Council’s leisure services, to maximise the return to the Borough Council of any future capital investment in the leisure facilities, to reduce the complexity and duplication inherent in the current model to release resources in order to seek to reverse the declining levels of participation in physical activity in West Norfolk and to provide flexibility for service delivery in the future.
Minutes:
Cabinet was informed that due to the potential timeframes involved, and the fact that the Special Meeting of the Environment and Community Panel, along with Corporate Performance Members the Chairman of the Corporate Performance Panel, Councillor H Humphrey had assented to standing order 12.15 which set aside the call in process for this meeting.
The Chairman welcomed: Peter Lemon, Michael Andrews, Dr Ian Mack and Simon McKenna from the Alive Trust; Colin Mitchell from the East of England Talent Bank, who had carried out the review on behalf of the Council and Sue Payne from Unison to the meeting
Cabinet considered the report which set out the detail of the management of the Borough Council’s principal arts and leisure facilities, and sports development work which had been in place since September 2014.
A number of factors led to a decision by the Council earlier this year to review the model against alternative models which were not open to the Council in 2013/14. The results of that review were set out in the report.
The representatives from Alive Leisure addressed Cabinet in support of the continuation of the Trust and the work carried out by them to date.
Colin Mitchell from the East of England talent bank who had carried out a review of the arrangements on behalf of the Borough Council presented his report.
Representations from the Environment and Community Panel supporting the report’s recommendations were received along with comments from Unison.
Cabinet debated the report and the advice received from the Council’s Legal Services Manager. Acknowledgement of the achievements they had made and thanks for the hard work put in by the trustees was given.
In considering the recommendations it was suggested that the Chief Executive be instructed to engage positively with the Trust to try to seek an agreed way forward for the future provision of the leisure services in the borough. A report to be brought back to Cabinet on 2 October 2018.
It was also proposed that business be represented on any LACC Board created. Both amendments were agreed.
The Chief Executive summed up the discussions held, and the reasoning behind the proposals and the requirement for the Council to ensure the right model was being operated for the Borough. He acknowledged the passion and effort put in by members of the Trust, thanked them for that, and encouraged further discussions to provide the best solution for the Borough.
RESOLVED: 1) That the findings and conclusions of the Leisure Options Appraisal report be noted and endorsed.
2) That the positive features of and outcomes from the current model of service delivery via Alive Leisure and Alive Management be noted.
3) That the preferred option for the future delivery of leisure services be to move to a new Not for Profit Local Authority Controlled Company (LACC) be confirmed, and within the LACC the Council would look to include representation from the business community. Recognising the achievements and enhancements made to leisure services under the stewardship of Alive Leisure Trustees over the past four years, the Chief Executive be instructed to engage positively with the Trust to seek an agreed way forward for the future provision of these services in the Borough and to report back to Cabinet on the outcome of these discussions to the meeting scheduled for 2nd October.
4) That the Property Services Manager be authorised to implement the break clauses in the leases for each of the leisure facilities, currently leased to Alive Leisure
5) That the Chief Executive and the Executive Director of Commercial Services in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Health be authorised to take the necessary actions to implement the new arrangements.
Reason for Decision
To reduce the current level of subsidy required to deliver the Council’s leisure services, to maximise the return to the Borough Council of any future capital investment in the leisure facilities, to reduce the complexity and duplication inherent in the current model to release resources in order to seek to reverse the declining levels of participation in physical activity in West Norfolk and to provide flexibility for service delivery in the future.