Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 December 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

No urgent decisions were reported.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

No public questions were submitted.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items which contains information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda items 6,7 and 8 (see minutes 6,7 and 8 below).

To consider a report of the Managing Director, Life Leisure.

The report sets out for comment finance and performance information relating to the running of the company.

The Funding Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Kate Egdell on Tel: 0161 484 0900 or email: kate.egdell@lifeleisure.net

The Finance Director, Life Leisure submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing for comment the management accounts and a commentary on performance by business area.

The following comments were made issues raised:-

·         The variances in the budget associated with grants and management fees and the swimming provision which had been effected by the closure of Marple Pool. Loss of income remained a major ongoing concern.

·         Meetings with Council Officer continued in respect to the management fee payable to the company and the Partnership Delivery Plan.

 A presentation was then made in respect to the following:-

·         The current lease and funding arrangements –current contract ending in 2022.

·         Sports Development – delivering activities in 50 of the boroughs 80 primary schools with over 3,500 hours of coaching.

·         Pressures resulting from competition from budget gyms and facility closures.

·         The implementation of potential efficiency measures in 2019/2020 to enable the company to deliver on savings requirements - timetable changes, impact of leisure key and operational changes.

·         The management of the Offerton site was highly problematic and was running at a loss. The aspiration was to build and alternative facility to meet the needs of the community.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report provides an update on initial feasibility work on a replacement pool and leisure facility in Marple, potentially incorporating a wider range of community provision. 

The Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Peter Ashworth on Tel: 0161 474 2392 or email: peter.ashworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the feasibility study undertaken in respect to a replacement for Marple pool and the provision of a leisure facility in Marple.

RESOLVED – That the report noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report provides an update on work to develop a Partnership Delivery Plan with Life Leisure for the period 1^st April 2019 and March 2022.

The Committee are requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Peter Ashworth on Tel: 0161 474 2392 or email: peter.ashworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on work to develop a Partnership Delivery Plan with Life Leisure for the period 1^st April 2019 to March 2022.

Councillors expressed concern that a plan had not been in place for a number of years but now welcomed the fact that one soon would be. They asked that it be submitted to the next meeting for consideration. It was further suggested that in light of the ongoing changes in the relationship between the Council and Life Leisure, the Strategic Head of Service (Legal, Democratic Governance, Estates & Asset Management) be requested to give consideration to suitability of the Terms of Reference as detailed in the Council Constitution and whether or not they remain fit for purpose.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee are requested to agree dates for the 2019/2020 municipal year.

·         12 June 2019 @ 10am

·         9 Oct 2019 @ 10am

·         12 Feb 2020 @ 10am

·         15 April 2020 @ 10am

RESOLVED – That the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to make arrangements for meetings of the Committee on the following dates:-

·         12 June 2019 at 10.00am

·         9 October 2019 at 10.00am

·         12 February 2020 at 10.00am

·         15 April 2020 at 10.00am