Agenda item

18/20              

Members considered a report that set out the challenging conditions for all leisure providers due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  In particular, the report considered the alternative management options for the Council and provided a series of options for Members to consider over the long term future for the Leisure Centre provision.

During their respective introductions, the Leader and lead Executive Member made reference to:-

-        their preferred option being to fully open Kingsbridge and Dartmouth Leisure Centres;

-        the proposed safety measures to be implemented by Fusion being impressive;

-        the Leisure Centre facilities being for the benefit of all residents in the South Hams;

-        the particular importance of having the opportunity to learn to swim in a coastal district;

-        the importance of re-instating the GP Referrals Scheme;

-        the local employment (and economic) implications of not fully re-opening the two Leisure Centres;

-        the need for Fusion to drastically improve its Communications Strategy; and

-        their thanks to the work of the lead officers in negotiating a good deal for the Council and producing such a comprehensive and balanced agenda report.

In discussion, reference was made to:-

(a)    the Health and Wellbeing implications of leisure provision were highlighted by a number of Members.  However, the importance of residents using the Leisure Centres was also stressed to ensure that they remained in operation;

(b)    the Totnes Leisure Centre.  Whilst acknowledging that the contractual arrangements were different for the Totnes Centre, some Members still felt that Tadpool should be congratulated and thanked for their efforts to ensure that the Centre was already operational;

(c)    the cost of re-opening Dartmouth Leisure Centre.  Some Members highlighted the specific costs associated with re-opening Dartmouth Leisure Centre and questioned how they could justify this expenditure to their hard pressed constituents who did not use these facilities.  In response, other Members emphasised the importance of colleagues taking a district-wide view and did not consider it fair to disadvantage residents living in the eastern cluster area of the South Hams;

(d)    an amendment to the motion.  An amendment to the motion was PROPOSED and SECONDED as follows:

‘That, arising from the revised restrictions on social movement and new restrictions on meetings of people that was announced by the Prime Minister and approved by Parliament on 22 September 2020 (which will have a number of implications to local authorities), I propose that this agenda item is not determined until these implications are known.

In support of his amendment, the proposer questioned the timing of this decision and felt it would be more appropriate to defer this matter until the recent Parliamentary restrictions could be assessed.

When put to the vote, the amendment was declared LOST.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.6, a recorded vote was then demanded on the recommendation and the result was declared as follows:

For the motion (26):         Cllrs Abbott, Austen, Bastone, Birch, Brazil, Brown, Chown, Foss, Hawkins, Hodgson, Holway, Hopwood, Jackson, Long, May, McKay, O’Callaghan, Pannell, Pearce, Pringle, Reeve, Rose, Rowe, Smerdon, Sweett and Taylor

Against the motion (0)

Abstentions (4): Cllrs Baldry, Pennington, Spencer and Thomas

Absent (1): Cllr Kemp

It was then:

RESOLVED

1.    That the Council agree to continue with the Fusion Contract (as set out in Section 3: ‘Strategic Options Appraisal’ of the presented agenda report) as being the most appropriate means of supporting health and wellbeing objectives within the District;

2.      That financial support be provided to Fusion through to March 2021 of £113,000 to cover the minimum level of support to Fusion (NB. this is the cost of continuing with the current arrangements of the Ivybridge Leisure Centre being fully open; the dryside facilities at Kingsbridge Leisure Centre being open; and Dartmouth Leisure Centre being mothballed – these current arrangements have the minimum cost), to be funded from the Business Rates Retention Earmarked Reserve;

3.      That the minimum level of financial support be extended so as to deliver improved health and wellbeing outcomes by fully opening Kingsbridge Leisure Centre and Dartmouth Leisure Centre at an extra cost of £130,000 – total cost of £243,000 of all arrangements;

4.      That approval be given to the additional £130,000 funding being allocated from the Business Rates Retention Earmarked Reserve; and

5.      That the Council work in partnership with Fusion to deliver a social media and all channels communications campaign to highlight that the leisure centre facilities are open; improve awareness; and improve participation.