Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Councillor Fonseca declared an Other Disclosable Interest in that he was Chair of the Daman Community of Leicester (affiliated to Voluntary Action Leicester).

The minutes of the meeting of the Joint Heritage, Leisure and Sport and Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Scrutiny Commissions held on 14 November 2012 and the minutes of the Heritage, Leisure and Sport Scrutiny Commission held on 4 December 2012 have been circulated and Members are asked to confirm them as correct records. 

RESOLVED:

that it be agreed that the minutes of the Joint Heritage, Leisure and Sport and Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Scrutiny Commissions held on 14 November 2012 and the minutes of the Heritage, Leisure and Sport Scrutiny Commission held on 4 December 2012 be confirmed as correct records.

The Director of Change and Programme Management to report on the receipt of any petitions submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures

There were no petitions.

The Director of Change and Programme Management to report on the receipt of any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

There were no questions, representations or statements of case.

Members of the Commission will receive a presentation on the role and performance of Sports Centres across the city.  The report and a copy of the presentation are attached at Appendix A.

The Director of Culture and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report relating to the role and performance of Sports Centres across the city.

Paul Edwards, Head of Sports, Mark Laywood, Sports Project Manager and Victoria Ball, Sports Regeneration Officer presented the report and responded to queries raised by Members.

Swimming

The Head of Sports referred Members to Appendix 1 of the report and there followed some discussion relating to participation rates in swimming.  The Head of Sports explained that free swimming had been very popular but recently appeared to have decreased in popularity. The Commission heard that this was possibly because when free swimming was first introduced, it was a new initiative which had attracted a considerable amount of interest. 

It was an Ofsted requirement that children learned to swim as part of the school curriculum, but the Sports Regeneration Officer had carried out a survey and found that only about 50% of city schools took their children for swimming lessons. Members asked the reasons for this, and heard that this was probably due to issues relating to organising transport to and from the swimming pool and also the time factor, as it took approximately 90 minutes out of the school day for a 20 minute swimming lesson. The Sports Regeneration Officer explained that they were looking at ways of organising the transport for the schools. This happened successfully in other local authorities and had resulted in 100% of schools participating in school swimming sessions.

It was noted that four swimming pools were offering free swimming at the weekends during term time and a query was raised as to whether there were plans for these free swimming sessions to be offered at other pools. The Head of Sports advised that this was dependent on whether any further funding would be received from the NHS.

Efforts had been made to encourage older people to swim, following concerns expressed by them that they could not afford the charges. In response to these concerns, gym charges had been increased and swimming fees reduced; this had resulted in an increase in the number of older people participating in swimming sessions.

Satisfaction Levels (Leisure Centres  - Opinion meter survey)

Members were referred to Appendix 2 of the report. It was noted that 50% of customers who had responded in the latest survey wanted lower prices, compared to 28% who had responded in the previous survey two years ago.  The Head of Sport explained that prices were measured against other private and public sector charges and they tried to offer value for money. There were also discount schemes and for £31 per month, a customer could participate in a whole range of activities including aerobics and rock climbing.  There was also a reduced corporate discount; companies did not pay the Council for the corporate discount but the Council benefited anyway by increased membership as staff in companies involved were encouraged to join up because of the discounted price.

Concerns were raised that the survey had shown  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

The Commission will be asked to consider a report on the work of the Sports Partnership Trust.

 A copy of the associated documentation is attached for Members only.  Further copies are available on the Council’s website at www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by phoning Democratic Support on 229 8809.

The report on the work of the Sports Partnership Trust was considered by Members in the previous agenda item as part of the discussion on the role and performance of the Sports Centres across the city.

The next meeting of the Heritage, Leisure and Sport Scrutiny Commission will be a special meeting on 15 January 2013 at 5.30pm to consider the budget.

There next ordinary meeting of the Heritage, Leisure and Sport Scrutiny Commission will be held on 5 February 2013 at 5.30 pm.

The Chair announced that there would be a Special Meeting of the Heritage, Leisure and Sport Scrutiny Commission on Tuesday 15 January to consider the budget.

The next ordinary meeting of the Commission would be held on Tuesday 5 February 2013.

The meeting closed at 7.30 pm.