Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and to order that the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2020 signed.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 November 2020 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests which they may have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No interests were declared.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of agenda item 6 – ‘Finance and Performance Report’ which contains information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority), the disclosure of which would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection Principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item 6.

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 at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive of Life Leisure.

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

The Chief Executive, Life Leisure submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the Financial and Performance situation at Life Leisure.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         In response to a Member’s question relating to the continuation of swimming lessons for children, Members were advised that there had been a 50 per cent reduction in this area.  Children were being asked to come ‘swim ready’ so that they did not necessarily need to use the changing rooms which now had a maximum capacity to enable social distancing.  As far as possible, parents were asked not to use the viewing areas and parents of younger children were asked to comply with social distancing regulations at all times.  In addition, COVID-19 does not survive in chlorine.

·         There appeared to be a significant gap in funding, where would the savings be made?  Members stated that they would like a breakdown of costs.

·         Members raised the issue of leisure centres being used as vaccination/testing centres.  In response, Members were advised that some facilities had been looked at but were not suitable.  Some leisure centre staff were supporting with administration and marshalling at the vaccination site at Stepping Hill Hospital.

·         There had been significant financial support from Stockport Council for 13 months.  How does the Council know it is getting value for money?  In response, Members were advised that there had been a reduction in utility costs.  There has also been a reconciliation process to ensure that the recovery plan had been stuck to.

·         In response to a question about the plan to regain lapsed Membership, Members were informed that this was a key focus for Life Leisure.  In December there was some progress with a significant number of new sales.

·         Members commented on the positives of the situation particularly that Stockport had higher public engagement than the rest of Greater Manchester.  There had also been some very positive feedback from members of the public.

·         Members expressed that it was vitally important for Life Leisure to be in a good position to support people in getting back to health and fitness.

·         Members were advised that a bid had been submitted to the National Leisure Recovery Fund and a response was expected in early February.  Members asked to be kept informed of the results of the bid.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.