Agenda and minutes

The Committee is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th September 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on the 4^th September 2023 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Public Health

a.    Introduction by Alice Wiseman

The Committee received a report setting out the evidence gathering arrangements to present a clear picture why Cabinet took the decision to close two leisure facilities in July 2023.

The Committee were walked through the actions taken and processes implemented by the council over the last eight years to increase income or reduce expenditure. Despite the efforts the council was still significantly subsiding the leisure services and overspending their allocated budget.

b.    How other Local Authorities are tackling similar issues by David Evans, Mansfield District Council

David Evans from Mansfield District Council presented information to the Committee on how Mansfield Council went through a similar process with their Leisure Services. David explained the actions they took, the outcome and how the Council are performing in current time.

In 2011 Mansfield Council Leisure services were operating in house but at a cost and underperforming, therefore a review was conducted to see how the Council could save money and add value to the service. A range of options were explored along with consultations with leisure experts, in 2012 the decision was made to outsource the leisure services, and the procurement process began using the Local Trust Module.

Mansfield Council entered a 10-year contract with savings of approx. £1m a year. In 2022 the contract ended, and a review was completed to see if it would be best to renew the contract, reinstate the services in house or complete a new procurement process. Mansfield Council decided to go through a new procurement process and in May 2022 a new contract was found with the same supplier using the National Trust Module.

In the new contract Mansfield Council will continue to save approx. £1m in the first three years but will start to receive a payment in Year 4 and no longer pay the annual fee. Negotiations were made in the new contract and instead of not paying the annual fee in Year 3 a new Leisure complex is to be built. David explained they noticed there were a lot of non-financial benefits;

·         Improved service delivery and Customer Services.

·         A larger range of social needs were able to be met.

·         More flexibility in classes.

·         Able to respond to current economy.

·         Improved retention of employees.

·         Health and Wellbeing of residents of Mansfield improved.

The Committee were concerned that the cost for customers would be unaffordable. David explained membership prices are in line with other competition and they only increase their prices by inflation costs to stay competitive in market.

Further questions were raised in how the health and wellbeing of residents have been monitored and how the staff retention has been over the last 10 years. David explained to the Committee the staff have been able to monitor members journeys from the start and have seen vast physical and mental improvement. In terms of staff retention, it has been steady over the last 10 years.

c.     Presentation on strategies and financial impacts on Leisure services

Lindsay Murray took the Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item CR13

Report of the Chief Executive and the Strategic Director Corporate Services and Governance.

The committee reviewed the work programme and noted the following changes;

Budget annual report including saving delivery will now be reported in November 2023.

Review of Community Wealth Building – Six monthly monitoring report and Digital and Online Services will be reported in January 2024.

RESOLVED: -             i) The committee noted the proposed amended programme.

ii) The committee noted the work will be brought to the Committee to identify any additional policy issues, which the Committee may be asked to consider.