Issue - meetings

Following a report from the Cost of Efficiencies Working Group and a recommendation that the Scrutiny Committee undertake a review of Leisure Service price increases, based on appendix 1 of the report.

The Committee had before it a report * from the Cost of Efficiencies Working Group and a recommendation that the Scrutiny Committee undertake a review of Leisure Service price increases, based on appendix 1 of the report.

The Leisure Centre Manager informed the Committee that a report regarding Leisure Services was being prepared for the Community Well Being Policy Development Group.  This report would be circulated to Members of the Committee.

The Officer reminded Members that there had been several recent changes with the leisure service which included an officer restructure, changes to hours and changes to pricing.

In quarter 1 income had increased on the same period last year from £509k to £564k, an increase of £55k. 

Changes to membership showed that there had been 1300 additional visits from members using a 60+ membership but that visits from those using concessionary memberships had dropped by 1200.  Average usage at this time of year was 75000 a month.

Membership numbers had reduced for those paying annually, increased for 60+ memberships, reduced for concessionary memberships and increased for junior concessionary memberships.  Some concessionary members had upgraded in order that their usage wasn’t restricted to non-peak times. Concessionary memberships were being audited on a regular basis to ensure that the customer was still entitled.

The Leisure Services was £15k below target for the first quarter but had moved forward with regards to performance.

The officer informed Members that benchmarking with neighbouring providers had shown that despite the recent increase to concessionary admissions they were still cheap in comparison.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         Encouraging the public to take part in activities that did not need to cost a lot such as running and cycling;

·         The task of providing a service for the public but also balancing the budget;

·         The recent restructure had taken mangers off shift in order that they could work on improving the business;

·         The Public Health aim to help local people be fitter and healthier.

Note: - Report previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

Arising from a report of the Scrutiny Committee Working Group (Reviewing the Cost of Efficiencies), the Scrutiny Committee has recommended that:

a)        Areas of land for sale should be promoted by Members at Parish Council Meetings.

b)        A pricing structure for services that could be sold, for example to town and parish councils, local charities and small businesses be put together and actively promoted.

c)        Assets such as the Town Halls (Tiverton and Crediton) to be used to maximise income, either by sale, rent or by joint development as they are assets that could generate income. 

d)        Conditions of service to be reviewed to consider amending terms and conditions regarding sickness benefits for new employees.

e)        Management information to show long and short term sickness figures.

f)         That staff be incentivised to put forward business ideas and suggestions that could be taken forward to generate income and that some form of reward scheme be put in place.

g)        That the authority becomes less risk adverse and encourage new ventures.

h)        That the Scrutiny Committee undertake a review on the effect of price rises on the Leisure Service, based on appendix 1 of the report.

Arising from a report of the Scrutiny Committee Working Group (Reviewing the Cost of Efficiencies), the Scrutiny Committee had recommended that:

a)        Areas of land for sale should be promoted by Members at Parish Council Meetings.

b)        A pricing structure for services that could be sold, for example to town and parish councils, local charities and small businesses be put together and actively promoted.

c)        Assets such as the Town Halls (Tiverton and Crediton) to be used to maximise income, either by sale, rent or by joint development as they are assets that could generate income. 

d)        Conditions of service to be reviewed to consider amending terms and conditions regarding sickness benefits for new employees.

e)        Management information to show long and short term sickness figures.

f)         That staff be incentivised to put forward business ideas and suggestions that could be taken forward to generate income and that some form of reward scheme be put in place.

g)        That the authority becomes less risk adverse and encourage new ventures.

h)        That the Scrutiny Committee undertake a review on the effect of price rises on the Leisure Service, based on appendix 1 of the report.

Consideration was given to each of the recommendations in order:

a)     It was felt that the promotion of areas of land for sale should be promoted by professionals so that Members could continue to be approached by local people and that Members could identify parcels of land rather than promote.  It was also felt that the Capital Strategy and Asset Management Group (CSAG) had a robust procedure in place.

RESOLVED that the recommendation (a) not be supported.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

b)     Concern was raised about the effect on small businesses in the local area if in-house services were to be sold, however working in partnership with other local businesses may be the way forward.  It was felt that further research was required and therefore it was:

RESOLVED that a pricing structure for services that could be sold, for example to Town and Parish councils, local charities and small business be researched and that a feasibility report be submitted to the Economy Policy Development Group.

(Proposed by  Cllr C R Slade and seconded by Cllr N V Davey)

c)            It was generally felt that this was already taking place but that the buildings should not be specified, it was therefore:

RESOLVED that: buildings and other assets be used to maximise income, either by sale, rent or by joint development as they were assets that could generate income.

(Proposed by Cllr N V Davey and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Note: Cllr N V Davey declared a personal interest as a Member of Tiverton Town Council.

d)            It was generally felt that this was an operational issue and therefore it was:

RESOLVED that the recommendation be NOTED and referred to the Chief Executive for consideration.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

e)            With regard to management information to show long and short term sickness figures, it was

RESOLVED  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21

To receive a report from the Reviewing the Cost of Efficiencies Working Group.

The Committee had before it a report * from the Reviewing the Cost of Efficiencies Working Group containing recommendations.

It was RECOMMENDED to Cabinet that:

a)    Areas of land for sale should be promoted by Members at Parish Council Meetings.

b)    A pricing structure for services that could be sold, for example to town and parish councils, local charities and small businesses be put together and actively promoted.

c)    Assets such as the Town Halls (Tiverton and Crediton) to be used to maximise income, either by sale, rent or by joint development as they are assets that could generate income. 

d)    Conditions of service to be reviewed to consider amending terms and conditions regarding sickness benefits for new employees.

e)    Management information to show long and short term sickness figures.

f)     That staff be incentivised to put forward business ideas and suggestions that could be taken forward to generate income and that some form of reward scheme be put in place.

g)    That the authority becomes less risk adverse and encourage new ventures.

h)   That the Scrutiny Committee undertake a review on the effect of price rises on the Leisure Service, based on appendix 1 of the report.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs J Roach and seconded by Cllr F J Rosamond)

Note: - Report previously circulated and attached to Minutes.