**A pre meeting for Members to prepare for the Panel will take place 45 minutes before the meeting**
The Press and Public are welcome to attend for the consideration of any items which are public.
Councillor Mrs Finlayson (Chair), Councillors Glover, Mrs McKerrell, Meller, Robson, Shepherd, Tinnion, Miss Whalen (Vice Chair)
Substitutes:
Alcroft, Atkinson, Bainbridge, Birks, Brown, Collier, Ms Ellis-Williams, Mrs Glendinning, Lishman, Mrs Mitchell, Mitchelson, Morton, Ms Patrick, Miss Sherriff, Southward, Sunter, Dr Tickner, and Wills.
To consider any matter which has been the subject of call-in.
The Health and Wellbeing Manager submitted an overview of the Greenwich Leisure Limited's (GLL) recovery plan for their events and leisure operations within the Carlisle City Council contract. The Chair welcomed Mr Rice, Partnership Manager, to the meeting. Mr Rice gave a detailed presentation to the Panel setting out the purpose of GLL; the reopening approach post Covid of centres and social bookings; events from June 2021 and attendance figures. He reported that GLL had been successful in securing Art Council finding to help secure the Sands Centre provision during lockdown and into post Covid recovery totalling £272,000. GLL were also successful in securing £143,000 of Sport England funding to cover the centre operations throughout 2021 and additional funding, including the Furlough Scheme and Business Grants were utilised during the pandemic. Mr Rice set out the financial performance of GLL in Carlisle and detailed the occupancy of the Turkish Health Suite along with membership and swimming lessons. He gave an overview of the Better Health for Me programme and the work of the Community Team. In considering the presentation Members raised the following comments and questions: - What were the plans for the old Newman School site once the Sands Centre redevelopment was completed? The Deputy Chief Executive reminded the Panel that the site was owned by the Diocese and Carlisle City Council were tenants. Once the redevelopment was opened the future of the site would be a decision for the Diocese. The Deputy Chief Executive understood that there had been some preliminary discussions between the Diocese and Carlisle College regarding the future of the site, however, he did not have further information. - How would the redevelopment of the Sands Centre be energy efficient and what were the sustainable, health transport options? The Deputy Chief Executive gave an overview of the new modern technology that had been incorporated into the design which would result in a much more energy efficient building. - A Member noted that the outreach work had been centred in urban locations and asked why particular venues had not been selected for outreach work. Mr Rice explained that the Community Team contacted all community centres in the Carlisle District. If a venue was not part of the outreach programme it was either because similar programmes were already available in that location or the venue did not respond to the initial contact. A Member commented that he had found, through his role elsewhere, that Covid had significantly impacted older, isolated people especially in rural areas without good transport links. He asked if there were plans for outreach programmes to support older isolated people. Mr Rice responded that there were no specific plans at this point, however, he would be happy to open dialogue and discuss options. - The figures showed a good recovery for the Turkish Baths, was the business able to be supported by the number of customers? Mr Rice explained that it was difficult to estimate accurate subsidy costs for the Turkish Baths as it did not have a stand alone plant. The usage of the Turkish Baths was very low compared to the swimming pool. - A Member noted that there was clearly huge potential at the Turkish Baths and asked what GLL's involvement would be in the site once the new Sands Centre opened. Mr Rice confirmed that contractually GLL's involvement with the Turkish Baths would end with the opening of the new pools. He added that GLL were in discussions to see what options were available and if GLL could or would remain involved. - The Panel felt that swimming was a good life skill given Carlisle's location and asked if the overall swimming lesson capacity was sufficient to meet demand. Mr Rice responded that the swimming lesson offer had been part of the value engineering for the Sands project. The capacity in the new pool for swimming lessons would be 2000 and it was felt that this was sufficient. Should the demand be higher there were options to alter the swimming timetables, however, this would impact the public use of the pool. - The presentation had given the Panel a lot of good information on the physical activities being undertaken by GLL, however, mental health was also important in the health and well being of individuals. What opportunities were there for smaller groups, above 300 but less than 1000 to use space in the Sands Centre and increase local participation in the venue? Mr Rice acknowledged that there had been restrictions previously as the main hall at the Sands Centre was multi purpose. The new space would be dedicated event space and there would be opportunity for discussions on how smaller events could be incorporated. RESOLVED - The Panel thanked Mr Rice for his detailed presentation and informative responses to questions. (CS.16/22).
The Policy and Communications Manager submitted an update on Emergency Planning, the ongoing recovery from the Covid-19 Pandemic and community resilience (PC.05/22) A Member thanked everyone involved in the huge task of response and recovery. He noted the excellent work of the Community Recovery Group and stressed the importance of taking the opportunities for community volunteers forward and to continue to engage them in emergency planning preparation, response and recovery. The Policy and Communications Manager responded that Cumbria CVS had recently recruited a Carlisle Community Resilience Worker for the next seven months. The new role would work with the whole range of community groups, developing a local network to improve the areas readiness. It was hoped that this work would be developed in a sustainable way to continue after the seven month period.
The Communities, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder gave a detailed overview of the work she had been involved in as part of the Carlisle Community Resilience Group and how that work transferred to ongoing work across the County. She agreed that the work was important and community involvement must not be lost. RESOLVED - That the Panel noted and commented on the progress outlined in the Emergency Planning and Evolving Approach to Community Engagement and Climate Change report (PC.05/22).
Background: The Overview and Scrutiny Officer to submit the draft Health and Wellbeing section of the draft Annual Scrutiny Report 2021/22. Why is this item on the agenda?
The Annual Scrutiny Report, including this section from the Heath and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel, will be submitted to Council on 26 April 2022. What is the Panel being asked to do? Consider and comment on the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel section of the draft Annual Scrutiny Report. Identify items that may be a priority for scrutiny in 2022/23.
- Empty property and housing grant work - Local Hub developments - GLL contract activity - Community Resilience and CVS Project - Turkish Baths - Social Prescribing and Mental Health - Project Tullie - Homelessness Strategy update
- Environment Agency Phase 3 flood management (Within the remit of Economic Growth Scrutiny Panel) RESOLVED - That the Panel had considered and commented on the draft Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel section for the Scrutiny Annual report 2021-22 (OS.11/22).
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Enquiries, requests for reports, background papers etc to: committeeservices@carlisle.gov.uk