Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Regeneration and Development.

Thereport outlinesLife Leisure’sperformance duringits secondyear ofoperation asa Community Interest Company (CIC) wholly owned by the Council. It also detailshow LifeLeisure continues to take great strides to deliver against the strategic aims of the ONE Stockport Active Communities Strategy by using physical activity to profoundly affect not just the physical, but also the mental and social wellbeing of Stockport residents. Thereport alsodescribes thechallenges andsuccesses ithas experiencedwithin its second year of trading. 

TheScrutiny Committeeis recommended to commenton LifeLeisure’s annualreport for 2023/4.

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

The Director of Regeneration and Development submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining Life Leisure’s performance during its second year of operation as a Community Interest Company (CIC) wholly owned by the Council. It also detailed how Life Leisure continued to take great strides to deliver against the strategic aims of the ONE Stockport Active Communities Strategy by using physical activity to profoundly affect not just the physical, but also the mental and social wellbeing of Stockport residents. The report also described the challenges and successes it had experienced within its second year of trading.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members welcomed the report and thanked the team for their work.

·         It was noted that Life Leisure worked in alignment with the wider council ambitions on the neighbourhoods and prevention agenda.

·         The increase in membership of Life Leisure, post pandemic was noted.

·         In terms of the investment required in some of Life Leisure’s ageing facilities, particularly Grand Central, members queried whether investment was needed to create carbon neutral facilities or for the sustainability of the site. In response it was stated that a further report on improvements to Life Leisure facilities would be presented to a future meeting of this Scrutiny Committee.

·         Members commented positively on the staff retention figures at Life Leisure which was currently at 91.6 per cent, and that 76 per cent of its staff were Stockport residents. This was an achievement given that the leisure sector was one which normally had a high staff turnover.

·         Life Leisure had carried out a staff survey and took note of the views of its staff. It had developed its values with its staff, including the concept of ‘Love Life Leisure’. Furthermore, the fact that many of Life Leisure’s staff lived within the neighbourhoods where they worked had enabled them to deliver services at a local level.

·         Members welcomed the introduction of solar panels which had helped to heat swimming pools and to cut costs. Life Leisure was looking at other sources of renewable heating.

·         The employment of an Inclusion Officer at Life Leisure had enabled it to understand communities and create the opportunity to provide different types of activities. One example was the provision of adaptable bicycles which enabled those who had been underserved in activities to participate. 

·         In determining what activities and facilities were offered at each Life Leisure location, the local communities’ needs were considered. For example, gym equipment varied between Life Leisure sites.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.