Issue - meetings

To request an offer of external funding from the Swimming Pool Support Fund is formally approved.

Purpose of report

To consider an offer of external funding from the Swimming Pool Support Fund.

Decision

That Cabinet approves the receipt of £344,659 from the Swimming Pool Support Fund, the funding being utilised to offset the management fee of £500k provided to LeisureSK Ltd. for the financial year 2023/2024.

Alternative options considered and rejected

To not accept the funding.

Additional funding streams were being explored to improve both the energy and carbon efficiency of the District’s leisure centres.

Reasons for decision

In line with the Council’s Financial Regulations the level of funding secured required approval by the Cabinet.

The costs of running the Council’s leisure facilities had increased significantly during the current financial year, particularly in relation to utilities and pool chemicals.

In recognition of national issues the Swimming Pool Support Fund was launched by central government in March 2023. It had been necessary to support LeisureSK Ltd. with a management fee in the current financial year; to cover the increases in utilities and pool chemicals that had previously been unbudgeted.

Note:  Both Councillor Charmaine Morgan and Nicola McCoy-Brown left the Council Chamber during the debate and vote on this item, as they were Directors of LeisureSK Ltd.

The following points were raised during debate of this item:

·         Both Stamford and Grantham Meres Leisure Centres would benefit from this funding. There was no funding available for Bourne Leisure Centre. It was reported that there were only five leisure centres across Lincolnshire that received this funding, so it was a huge success for the Council to receive support for two of their sites.

·         LeisureSK Ltd. would present their proposal for the upcoming financial year at a future Culture & Leisure Overview and Scrutiny meeting.