Agenda and minutes
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Apologies
Minutes: An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Whittington. |
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Disclosure of interests
Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting. Minutes: No interests were disclosed. |
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Exclusion of the press and public The Committee agreed to exclude the press and public from the meeting at this point, as the following item contained information that was exempt under paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). |
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Future Leisure Management options
Report of the Cabinet Member for Growth. Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Growth introduced her exempt report entitled ‘Enhancing Leisure Opportunities for Everyone’. The committee was asked to consider short-term arrangements for the management of leisure services in advance of a long term plan to procure a new contract arrangement guided by a Procurement Strategy. Members were asked if they had any questions arising from the report or the appended ‘Leisure Contract - Review of Management Options’ document.
The committee asked for further information regarding the background of the existing contract. The Cabinet Member for Growth explained that the current contract with 1life would expire in January 2021. Members discussed advantages of recommending the option to extend this contract and stressed the importance of ensuring that an adequate level of service continue, should the recommendation be approved. Officers confirmed that a contract monitoring framework would be put into place and that any potential for this contract framework to be made more robust would be investigated going forward. It was felt that an extension to the current contract with 1life would provide sufficient time for feasibility work to be undertaken and a Procurement Strategy to be developed, which would involve consultancy expertise from a procurement specialist.
One Member expressed concern that consideration of subcontracting work led to an increase in the frequency of confidential papers being considered at meetings regarding matters of public interest. The committee member also requested that the Grantham Meres Leisure Centre consultation process be accessible for residents to engage with and that due weight be given to the responses of residents local to the leisure centre. The Cabinet Member for Growth gave reassurance that the consultation process was intended to engage all regional users of the leisure centre, including those residing in the locality.
The committee asked if Members would be involved in defining the consultation process for the Grantham Meres Leisure Centre. It was highlighted that there would need to be an awareness of limitations in the way questions were asked, in order to balance residents’ expectations with deliverability. A meeting had been arranged for all Grantham Councillors on 17 December 2019, but it was confirmed that the draft consultation document could be shared with all Councillors, if desired.
Action Point
Ø The Grantham Meres draft consultation document to be circulated to all Councillors
Members asked for further explanation as to the scope of the potential options for the Grantham Meres. It was explained that all options contained within the report were being considered and that a decision would only be made subject to consultation and a business case to ensure financial viability.
During discussion, Members referred to the Deepings Leisure Centre. It was felt that there was a lack of clarity as to ownership of the facility and the facilities provided were considered to be inadequate. It was confirmed that the arrangements for this leisure centre would cease under the new provision and that local Councillors would be consulted during decision making processes for the future of the Deepings Leisure Centre, as would ... view the full minutes text for item 48. |
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Close of meeting
Minutes: The meeting closed at 10:48. |
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The Chairman confirmed that the April meeting of the committee had been moved to 30 April 2020. |