Agenda item

To summarise the urgent financial pressure impacting on the Council’s leisure operating contract and mitigations to ensure the continuance of services to the public.

The Group Head of Wellbeing & Communities introduced his report and Ivan Horsfall-Turner CEO of Freedom Leisure who was in attendance to answer any questions from members.

The Vice-Chair in the Chair then opened the questions and answer session of the item. Where a number of detailed questions were asked, and responses provided by the CEO of Freedom Leisure. Once members had no further questions to ask, Mr Horsfall-Turner was thanked by the Vice-Chair in the Chair for his time at the meeting and he then left the closed session.

Members then took part in a detailed discussion where an amendment was proposed by Councillor Gunner and seconded by Councillor Cooper. The amendment is shown below with additions shown in bold and deletions shown with strikethrough;

1.2. Notes the contents of this report in relation to the increased costs faced by leisure operators across the UK linked to the energy supply crisis.

1.3. Agree that it is necessary to support Freedom Leisure to ensure their continued viability and the delivery of the Leisure Operating Contract.

1.4. Recommends to the Policy and Finance Committee that a sum up to £265,000 is transferred from the Inflation Contingency Reserve in 2022/23 to support the additional cost of energy required for the Council’s leisure centres.

1.5.That a sum of £580,000 is considered for inclusion in the 2023/24 Budget pending further work by officers on the options and risks of not providing further support included in the 2023/24 Budget to support the increased cost of utilities affecting the leisure operating contract.

1.6. Authorises the Director of Environment and Communities and the Interim Group Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer to implement mitigating measures and make revisions and changes to the leisure operating contract based on energy matters affecting the facilities. For the remainder of this financial year 2022/23

That the Policy and Finance Committee

1.7. Notes the contents of this report in relation to the increased costs faced by leisure operators across the UK linked to the energy supply crisis.

1.8. Agree that it is necessary to support Freedom Leisure to ensure their continued viability and the delivery of the Leisure Operating Contract.

1.9. Authorises a sum up to £265,000 is transferred from Inflation Contingency Reserve in 2022/23 to support the additional cost of energy required for the Council’s leisure centres.

1.10.Notes that a sum of £580,000 will be included in the 2023/24 Budget to support the increased cost of utilities affecting the leisure operating contract.

1.10.Notes that the Director of Environment and Communities and the Interim Group Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer is authorised to implement mitigating measure and make revisions and changes to the leisure operating contract based on energy matters affecting the facilities. For the remainder of this financial year 2022/23

The amendment was unanimously agreed by the Committee and therefore became the substantive recommendations.

It was requested to be noted that member’s spirit is one which was willing to be supportive to Freedom Leisure

The substantive recommendations were then proposed by Councillor Gunner and seconded by Councillor Cooper.

The Committee

          RESOLVED that it

1.1. notes the contents of this report in relation to the increased costs faced by leisure operators across the UK linked to the energy supply crisis.

1.2. agrees that it is necessary to support Freedom Leisure to ensure their continued viability and the delivery of the Leisure Operating Contract.

1.3. that a sum of £580,000 is considered for inclusion in the 2023/24 Budget pending further work by officers on the options and risks of not providing further support

1.4. authorises the Director of Environment and Communities and the Interim Group Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer to implement mitigating measures and make revisions and changes to the leisure operating contract based on energy matters affecting the facilities. For the remainder of this financial year 2022/23; and

RECOMMENDS TO the Policy and Finance Committee

1.5. that a sum up to £265,000 is transferred from the Inflation Contingency Reserve in 2022/23 to support the additional cost of energy required for the Council’s leisure centres.

1.6. that it notes the contents of this report in relation to the increased costs faced by leisure operators across the UK linked to the energy supply crisis.

1.7. agrees that it is necessary to support Freedom Leisure to ensure their continued viability and the delivery of the Leisure Operating Contract.

1.8. authorises a sum up to £265,000 is transferred from Inflation Contingency Reserve in 2022/23 to support the additional cost of energy required for the Council’s leisure centres.

1.9. notes that the Director of Environment and Communities and the Interim Group Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer is authorised to implement mitigating measure and make revisions and changes to the leisure operating contract based on energy matters affecting the facilities.For the remainder of this financial year 2022/23