Issue - meetings

Appendix A details the annual report from April 2023 – March 2024 from the council’s leisure facilities management contractor, Sports and Leisure Management (SLM). The annual report shares a reflection on the previous 12 months’ work and outlines the work programme for the coming year.

Recommendation

1. That the 12-month work plan presented by Sports and Leisure Management is noted.
2. That the 12-month work plan presented by Sports and Leisure Management be made available as part of the minutes of the meeting.

The Leisure Assets Manager introduced key personnel from Everyone Active, the management company overseeing the council's leisure venues since 2018. The officer advised that the report covering the contract year from April 2023 to March 2024, and John Sewell will provide further insights before a question-and-answer segment.

John Sewell outlined key initiatives and successes at William Penn Leisure Centre over the past year, focusing on decarbonisation efforts at the leisure centre, including the installation of pool covers, PIR sensors, and a new chemical dosing system. The speaker highlighted community outreach programs like the Happy Camps, which served 537 children, and various charity events. The presentation also touched on increasing participation levels at local leisure facilities, improvements in golf course conditions, and future plans for solar panel installations to enhance sustainability. The majority of activities are reaching pre-pandemic levels. The speakers emphasised the importance of community engagement and the ongoing efforts to promote health and fitness within the community.

Members congratulated the representatives from Everyone Active on their recent award.

The Committee raised concerns regarding high water levels, particularly around the golf course, and whether the leisure centre is doing any remedial work to prevent flooding.

John Sewell advised that in the past few months the focus was on working on the irrigation and where the water can be diverted. There is also further works planned around the golf course, including a path that has been installed so people can access the facility all year round, which has contributed greatly to the increase in usage of the facilities.

Officers also advised that it needs to be acknowledged that groundwater levels generally everywhere at the moment are significantly higher than they would be normally. It is a national problem, not an isolated incident at a particular golf course, or across the district as a whole.

Members also raised a question regarding parking at the facility, where there are concerns about the difficulties staff face in managing unauthorised vehicles. John Sewell responded by clarifying that while they have a tanner assistant, it is not available at the South Oxhey Leisure Centre. The speaker also talked about measures taken to address the parking issue, including the installation of signs, marketing efforts to discourage improper parking, and the implementation of green travel plans.

In response to a question raised regarding financial interests in Woodside Leisure Centre, officers advised that it is owned by Watford Borough Council not Three Rivers District Council. Officers further clarified that while there is a continued interest in the services offered at Woodside, such as free swimming and gym memberships for residents, monitoring of attendance is managed by Watford Borough Council independently.

RESOLVED:

1. That the 12-month work plan presented by Sports and Leisure Management is noted.
2. That the 12-month work plan presented by Sports and Leisure Management be made available as part of the minutes of the meeting.