Agenda item

To provide Cabinet with an update regarding ongoing condition survey works at the leisure centres and a brief update regarding the Leisure Facility Strategy - Initial Assessment Phase project.

Members considered the Leisure Centre Conditions Survey Update report presented by Councillor Miscandlon.

·         Councillor Mrs French said that she has received repeated complaints about the state and cold temperature of the showers at the George Campbell and asked Councillor Miscandlon if he could provide an update next month when he brings a further report back to Cabinet. Councillor Miscandlon agreed but added that he is aware of various deficiencies at this and other centres and is in talks with Freedom Leisure to get these fixed.

·         Councillor Hoy highlighted some deficiencies both dry and wet side at the Hudson but said her fundamental concern is a lack of care by staff there. It is a busy centre but people are not being signed in so there is no log of who is in the building or how many are using it, and it is missing even basic levels of hygiene and cleanliness. There is no point spending money renovating the centre if staff are not going to clean it. Councillor Miscandlon responded that Councillor Hoy is not the first to highlight issues at this and other centres. He said the directors have been spoken to about the lack of internal maintenance at the centres and the negligence of not booking people in and out.

·         Councillor Boden said it is important that the broader leisure facility strategy works are moved forward as quickly as possible. He would like to hear in February more specifics about the timescales involved and prospective costs so the Council will be able to put these into the capital programme within the timescale left available so when the centres are handed over to the new unitary authority, they are in a good and updated condition. However, in respect of financing Councillor Nawaz has pointed out that the plan to partially finance the works at the Manor, by looking to sell the Station Road recreation ground, may not be appropriate. Legal restrictions exist and the Charity Commissioners need to agree to utilise funds from the sale of the ground to provide capital for the rebuilding of the centre where necessary, so it looks like that is not a feasible way of moving forward with the financing, hence the importance of more detailed financial information in February.

·         Councillor Mrs Laws said she noted within the report the refurbishment of the tennis court at Whittlesey and asked for a complete breakdown of what has been done for the next meeting as she does not think the floodlighting has been completed and is getting reports that the surface may not be entirely up to standard. The investment money is excellent, but she understands the tennis court is not being fully used due to some disagreement with the management of the tennis club who do not seem to have welcomed the netball club who wish to use it and for whose benefit the floodlighting was installed.

·         Councillor Miscandlon thanked Councillor Mrs Laws for highlighting this conflict, which he had been unaware of, and he will look into this. He is aware of some cracks in the resurfaced court, but they are being addressed. The floodlights are in place, so he is unaware of why it is not being used. Friends of the Manor are due to meet soon, both he and the Head of Leisure will attend and hopefully help to get any conflict resolved.

·         Councillor Mrs Laws added that there had been a lot of lobbying by both town and district councils to get the money for the refurbishment to create an all-weather court that can be used both day and evenings. The investment is of great benefit to the netball club in their aim to rise through their league and it is a very poor show if the court is not being used.

·         Councillor Miscandlon agreed that it is a waste of money if the court is not being used but with the potential of a PlayZone coming, this will be of great benefit to the netballers because it will be the size of a pitch that can be used for competition. He invited them to visit the PlayZone pitch at the Rugby Club in Peterborough to see how amazing it is. Councillor Mrs Laws requested that Councillor Miscandlon highlight the PlayZone at the Friends meeting and give them that opportunity to go.

Proposed by Councillor Miscandlon, seconded by Councillor Mrs Laws and AGREED to:

·         note the report, recognising the progress that the Council has made on unavoidable condition survey work in the past year and note the works still in the pipeline for delivery in the coming months, and

·         note that progress is being made with the Leisure Facility Strategy – Initial Assessment Phase project with a report expected at Cabinet in February with detailed information regarding a significant project at one site, smaller projects at two other sites and an expected timeframe for a package of works for the final site.