Agenda and minutes

Councillor Hicks substituted for Councillor Cartwright. Councillor Coote substituted for Councillor Dabell. Councillor Whittaker substituted for Councillor Anthea Lea. Councillor Jackson substituted for Councillor Sparasci. Councillor Trumble substituted for Councillor Sweatman.

Apologies were received from Councillors Cartwright, Dabell, Dempsey, Anthea Lea, Sparasci and Sweatman.

None.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, with 9 in favour and 4 abstentions.

The Chairman had no urgent business.

Simon Hughes, Director of People and Commercial Services introduced the report which provided an update on the Council’s Leisure Management Contract with Places Leisure. He advised that negotiations of the management fee with Places Leisure were ongoing and commercially sensitive.

Members discussed the Open Book reconciliation and the trends in membership and visitor numbers. A Member raised concerns regarding the one-year only fixed management fee arrangement and the risks associated with this. Discussions were had regarding the types of data available for membership, visitor numbers and memberships that had not re-joined post Covid. Members would like to see data on the specific demographics; specifically those eligible for concessionary rates.

Members discussed the provision of alternative services at the Leisure Centres to adapt to the change in visitor trends and behaviours, including public health classes. Lucy Corrie, Assistant Director Communities, confirmed the current rehabilitation classes are consistently fully booked. The Council is also working with Places Leisure to reduce the energy consumption across the centres due to the ongoing rise in utility costs, noting that swimming numbers had increased post Covid, and this was one of the more expensive services to run. 

A Member noted it was not a statutory requirement of the Council to provide leisure services to residents. Simon Hughes, Director People & Commercial Services explained that the community, physical and mental health benefits of providing such facilities was evident.

Members thanked officers for their hard work during such challenging times and the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Parking reinforced this, thanking officers for retaining the leisure centres during the pandemic.

As there were no further questions the Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendation which was agreed unanimously with 14 in favour.

RESOLVED 

The Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report.

Simon Hughes, Director of People and Commercial Services, introduced the report which provided an update on progress towards the delivery of the Parking Strategy and Action Plan (2020-2030) during 2022-23.

Members discussed the customer experience of using digital self-service parking apps, the impact of reducing the number of payment machines and ensuring the service is accessible to all users. The Director of People and Commercial Services confirmed payment machines had been upgraded whilst retaining the cash facility. In response to a Member question regarding 3G data, the Director of People & Commercial Services confirmed all parking machines and the MiPermit app had been upgraded to 4G. 

A Member queried the lack of data available regarding usage and income derived from car parks, dynamic parking and parking utilisation. The Assistant Director Commercial Services and Contracts advised that Management data for all sites is available and is used to inform the management of car parks across the District, and the strategy. Sally Blomfield, Assistant Director Planning and Economy advised that car data regarding the health of the 5 largest villages and town centres is available as an evidence base document supporting the Council’s District Plan.

A discussion was had on improving the barriers to the Electrical Vehicle charging points for better health and safety and providing the data for cancelled Parking Penalty Charge Notices.

The Cabinet Member for Leisure and Parking thanked officers for providing such a comprehensive report and detailed action plan.

As there were no further questions the Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendation which was agreed unanimously with 14 in favour.

RESOLVED

The Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report.

None.