Agenda and minutes

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Councillor Marsh declared a personal interest in the application from East Grinstead Sports Club as he taught the son of Gary Needle, Chairman of East Grinstead Sports Club, how to drive. He came to the meeting with an open mind to consider the comments of the Panel, officers and the applicants.

Councillor Webster declared a personal interest in the application from East Grinstead Sports Club as knows Gary Needle, the Chairman of the Sport Club, through his work as a non-executive director at the Queen Victoria Hospital which works closely with whoever holds the position of Cabinet Member for Community. He came to the meeting with an open mind to consider the comments of the Panel, officers and the applicants.

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The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 16 October 2018 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Elaine Clarke, Community Leisure Officer, introduced the report for East Grinstead Sports Club (EGSC) which requested the Panel to consider and decide upon the applicant’s request to vary the details of the project to improve the facilities at the East Grinstead Sports Club. She directed the Panel’s attention to the applicants whom wished to provide a presentation to the Panel.

Kevin Ellis, Treasurer of East Grinstead Sports Club, presented the work on the development of a new strategy which was formulated following an agreement with the TLC (liaison committee which includes representatives from the cricket, badminton, football, hockey, squash and netball clubs). The TLC believes the proposed changes seek to better cater for their customer base and the improvement would maximise the use of the facilities.

Gary Needle, Chairman of East Grinstead Sports Club, highlighted that there is a need to make the gym more accessible. He confirmed that the LED lights, heating and ventilation can be achieved within the original budget and although the proposed changes does result in a bigger spend, he reassured the Panel that the differences can be financed by the charity’s funds.

Duncan Kerr, Chief Executive of Wave Leisure, confirmed that the key aim is to deliver to community, in which the equipment that the organisation is looking to provide is different to that of other gyms with a focus on health development. They also intend to appoint the correct staff to deliver the right aims.

A Member noted that Wave Leisure sometimes refers their customers to the NHS however Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) also provides the same service. He enquired what makes their service different to that provided by MSDC.

The Chief Executive of Wave Leisure explained that the organisation is good at getting commission services through the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and believe what they are providing to be a more complimentary service rather than a competitive service. He added that the GP referral programme is focused on the provision of gym and swimming use however Wave Leisure would like to provide a different programme where they directly work with the individual to induct them into the gym and support them throughout the process.

A Member drew attention to the original grant in which the grant was requested due to a ‘desperate need’ to upgrade the changing rooms and wondered whether the changing rooms are still in a ‘desperate need’ or whether there was never actually a need for the them to be upgraded.

The Chief Executive of Wave Leisure confirmed that the TLC is looking to increase the use of the gym which would then be followed by improvements to the changing rooms as they are taking a more time-focused approach within the strategy.

The Chairman noted the gym equipment and its specialisation. He questioned whether the organisation has guarantees that the stakeholders will use the equipment.

The Chief Executive of Wave Leisure could not confirm that the stakeholders will use the equipment however stated that the improvements would make the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.