Agenda item

This scoping report provides information for the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee, appointed to look into ways to reduce the subsidy given to Yearsley Swimming Pool whilst securing its long-term future.  The Committee are asked to agree the draft objectives, methodology and timetable to progress the review.

Consideration was given to a scoping report prepared for the Committee, in response to a request from Cllr Aspden for the Council to undertake a scrutiny review, to examine ways in which the subsidy given to Yearsley Swimming Pool could be reduced whilst looking to secure its long-term future.

Members noted that the request had arisen, following the Council’s decision to reduce the budget available for the leisure facilities. It was also noted that Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) were now the preferred bidder to operate the Council’s facilities including Yearsley Pool. It had previously been agreed that the future operation of Yearsley would need to be considered six months prior to the opening of the New Stadium Leisure Centre (NSLC). This would provide the option for the operator to continue with the management if it could be operated without Council subsidy, or exploring other operational structures with the community and stakeholders if the operator decided not to take up that option.  Details of the operating costs, income and expenditure together with trends and usage of Yearsley Pool were available at Annexes C to D of the report.

The Scrutiny Officer outlined details of the draft objectives and timetable of meetings suggested to support the objectives and progress work.

Officers confirmed that the contract with GLL had not yet been concluded and was the subject of ongoing discussion. Officers pointed out that the draft contract, as it stood, did not include a anti-competition clause.  A briefing would be provided to the scrutiny committee; however, so as not to affect the ongoing procurement discussions information could only be shared privately with members at the present time. Officers also confirmed that GLL, as an experienced leisure provider, were keen to provide their assistance with the Council’s reviews and to engage in discussions with stakeholders.

Members confirmed that for the 24 March meeting they would require:

·        Confidential information with regard to GLL’s contract position

·        Further analysis of the financial information with regard to current funding arrangements in order to help members direct officers with regard to the framework of possible operating models that they would wish to examine 

·        Plans of the Yearsley pool site.

Following further lengthy discussion it was

Resolved:     (i)   That the Committee agree the draft objectives, as set out at paragraph 13 of the report.

(ii)    That the methodology and timetable to progress the review, set out at paragraph 14 of the report be agreed subject to the following additions:

·     16 March 2015 – 4-7pm consultation meeting (venue to be arranged) preceded by Member visit to Yearsley Pool

·     24 March 2015 – 4pm informal Member meeting to consider confidential information around GLL’s contract position, followed by a formal meeting at 5pm to examine detailed financial information to shape possible options

·     April date tba – Visit to Nestle and York St John University

·     29 April, 3.30pm, if possible or date tba – public meeting to received feedback from visits

·     June 2015 – Visits to other leisure facilities and to examine alternative operational models elsewhere

(iii)     That the information on other community led schemes and the income/expenditure and usage summary set out at Annexes B to D of the report be received and noted.

Reason:     To ensure compliance with scrutiny procedures and protocols.