Meeting Details

The Head of Health and Wellbeing submitted a report which updated the Panel on the Council's Leisure Contract with GLL, the Sands Centre Redevelopment and how leisure services might develop following the transition to Cumberland Council. (CS.06/23) 

Mr Rice delivered a presentation covering the following:  Sands Centre re-opening, next steps and challenges; ‘the cube’ GLL’s six principle approach; leisure usage data; tackling health inequalities; membership numbers; community development team; outreach holiday programmes; and the school delivery programme. 

In considering the report and presentation Members raised the following questions and comments: 

- A Member commented that youth work often ended up focussed on children (i.e. under 12s), he was keen to find out what was in place to address the issue.

Mr Barnes acknowledged the Member’s comments noting that the majority of GLL’s youth work taking place in its centres took place with 5 – 12 year olds. The expansion of it to include a wider age range was currently in his scope of work subject to necessary research being carried out. 

Mr McGarry noted the current work undertaken with the teenage age group which included a ‘junior gym’ that had approximately 200 participants and in response to which a series of junior classes would be developed for after school activities that would include both virtual and instructor led classes to help increase accessibility.  Sessions were also available for young people at the Trinity School site on weekdays and the offer there was expected to develop over time. 

- Some residents found it difficult to access the facility as there was no public transport directly to the site, had discussions taken place with local providers?

The Head of Health and Wellbeing advised that discussions had taken place with Stagecoach, but that it had declined as the cost of overhauling the timetable was prohibitive. 

- Usage of the cycle track at Harraby was in decline, what plans were in place to address that?

The Head of Health and Wellbeing explained that the cycle track was managed by GLL on behalf of Carlisle Sports.  The Council, with partners, were currently working with stakeholders to identify a way forward for the track.  He noted that the facility was still used by clubs, but that common usage had declined. 

- Was the Sands Centre able to accept government childcare vouchers to support households being able to attend activities?

Mr Barnes advised that the Sands Centre did not accept the childcare vouchers directly, however some parents did request an invoice for the payments made for their child’s attendance which it was understood were required to claim monies back via the voucher scheme.  GLL would look into whether it could implement the voucher scheme. 

The Sands Centre did operate the government funded Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) in the longer school holidays.  It was noted that there were issues with people booking under that scheme who did not then attend the session rather than notifying the Sands Centre which meant that place for the activity and food could not be used elsewhere.   

- How was the issue of energy costs being managed?

Mr Rice advised that currently government subsidy was available but would end in spring.  The issue of energy costs was one affecting the whole of the leisure industry, particularly where swimming facilities were available.  He anticipated technological solutions would come forward to reduce operating costs.  Although the rise in energy costs had created adverse conditions within the industry as a whole, the facilities at the Sands Centre, particularly the swimming pools were very energy efficient. 

- A number of Members commented that concerns had been raised by residents about the Sands Centre no longer accepting cash payments, particularly in relation to the purchase of refreshments at the site. 

Mr Rice responded that consideration was being given to the development and implementation a mechanism to address the cashless payments issue. 

The Chair noted that previously those visiting the Sands Centre to purchase tickets for events had been able to park for free for the short time whist carrying out the transaction, that facility as no longer available.

The Head of Health and Wellbeing undertook to discuss the matter with the Council’s car parking services, were any system to be implemented it was important that it was devised in such a way that it may not be breached. 

The Head of Health and Wellbeing submitted an update on the Victorian Baths, which covered; the conservation requirements for the heritage asset; the investment appraisal; Building management procedures including Building condition surveys; the handover to the Station Gateway project; and the Friends Group's proposals. (CS.07/23)

In response to a question from a Member regarding the interaction between the Station Gateway Project and the Baths, the Corporate Director gave an overview of the proposal for the Project, which Cumbria County Council was the lead authority for.  As part of the Project, £1M of Borderlands funding had been allocated to secure the Victorian Baths and provide heating. 

The Panel discussed the progression of the Friend’s Group proposals and concerns expressed by the Group regarding difficulties in getting required information from the Council to enable the development of plans and also difficulties in having meetings with Officers. 

Officers responded gave an overview of interactions between the Council and the Friends, explaining that they understood that all requests from the Group had been met. 

The Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services submitted a report which updated members on the progress with the delivery of the Sustainable Warmth funding programme (GD.08/23.  The Panel had considered the matter at its January 2023 meeting at which point Members were advised that a request for an extension on the deadline to deliver the scheme had been submitted to the then Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.  That request had been agreed, subject to completion of a managed closure plan and the deadline for the completion of the scheme was put back to September 2023 from end of March 2023. 

At the time of Panel’s earlier consideration of the programme expenditure had been in the region of £90,000, it now stood at approximately £1M. 

In considering the report Members raised the following questions and comments: 

The Homeless Services Manager submitted report GD.09/23 which provided an update on Cumbria Choice and the impact of the new allocation policy. (GD.09/23)

The Corporate Director of Finance and Resources submitted a report which provided an overview of the Council's capital programme for the period April to December 2022. (RD.59/22)

The Policy and Scrutiny Officer submitted report 0S.06/23 which provided an overview of matters related to the Scrutiny Panel's work. The report also included a draft of this year's Scrutiny Annual Report for comment. (OS.06/23)