Agenda item

Nina McKenna, Director of Culture and Communications, Simon McKenna, Chief Executive and Dr Ian Mack, Vice Chairman of the Board, were present at the Meeting to provide the Panel with an update on the work of Alive Leisure.

A copy of their presentation is attached.

The Chairman thanked the Leisure Trust for their presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel.  The representatives from the Leisure Trust and the Executive Director from the Borough Council responded to questions and comments from Members as summarised below.

It was clarified that Alive Leisure was responsible for the day to day running of the facilities included within the Trust.  Separate to this Alive Management was a council controlled company.  The two boards were separate and Councillor Nockolds, who had previously sat as a Board Member on the Trust was now a Member of the Management Board as her Portfolio Responsibilities had changed and she would have had a conflict of interest if she remained on the Trust.

The Director of Culture and Communications explained that Arts Development was very important to the Trust and was one of its Charitable Objects and priorities.  She explained that work would be carried out to produce a two years Arts Development Plan and this would include looking to set up new amateur groups and work with existing groups to make them sustainable.  She encouraged anyone who was aware of any semi-professional or amateur groups who may be interested in working with the Trust to contact her.

With regards to the Oasis at Hunstanton, the Panel was informed that significant investment had been put into this facility, including the recent replacement of the air handling units which had improved the indoor environment and the refurbishment and reopening of the summer entrance along the Promenade.  The Borough Council had also invested Capital Funds into the facility.

Reference was made to a recent cancellation of one of the classes at Lynnsport and complaints that this had not been publicised had been received.  The Chief Executive of Alive Leisure apologised for any inconvenience this had caused and informed Members that there was a process in place for informing customers of cancellations, but unfortunately on this occasion it had not been followed.

The Director of Culture and Communications responded to questions regarding the scheduling of acts at the Corn Exchange.  She explained that due to the small capacity it was difficult to entice bigger artists into the venue as their return on ticket sales would not be high enough.  The Panel was informed that work had been carried out to ensure that only high quality tribute acts and comedians were brought in and the Director of Culture and Communications commented that she felt that the programme had improved dramatically over the past few years.

The Panel was informed that the toning tables which had been located in the main gym at Lynnsport had now been relocated.  This was because they took up 25% of the gym area, however were not used on a frequent basis.  The toning tables were still accessible and people had feedback mixed views on the location.  New equipment had been installed in the gym at Lynnsport.

The Executive Director explained that the Council and the Trust worked closely together and he felt that the arrangements had been successful.  He commented that both parties were looking at extending what could be provided, including the Guildhall project which was a great opportunity for the Council, with the Trust as a key partner.

RESOLVED: (i) The update was noted.

(ii) The Trust continues to provide updates to the Environment and Community Panel on a regular basis.