Meeting documents

To consider a report by the Head of Tourism and Culture (Reference 12/075 attached)

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Tourism and Culture (Reference 12/075) in respect of proposals for the future management of Pindar Leisure Centre.  Members were reminded of the history of this facility which opened in 1995 on the site of George Pindar Community College, Eastfield.  The College uses facilities during the school day with community access on evenings, weekends and school holidays.  A Joint Use Agreement for a term of 21 years was established in 1995 with the Council responsible for managing the Leisure Centre during community time.  On 1 April 2008 George Pindar Community College became a Foundation School and Charitable Trust, also acquiring the site from the County Council.  On 1 December 2008 the management of the Leisure Centre was transferred from the Borough Council to the College, and was subject to a service level agreement for the management of the Leisure Centre during community time.  Members were advised that the service level agreement included a break clause and the College had given the necessary notice to cease managing the Leisure Centre from 31 March 2012 due to the financial burden of the net operating cost and drain on its administration resources.  When the management was transferred to the College, the Council made an annual revenue saving of some £50K, since no financial contribution towards the operating costs was sought by the College.  It was considered prudent to base future net operating costs on figures known to the Council from its previous period of operation and £60K had been allocated for the annual net deficit in the budget strategy for 2012/13.  This calculation was based on the annual £50K deficit figure prior to the transfer in 2008 plus inflation plus adjustment for recent loss of income.  Both the fitness suite and the all weather pitch were nearing the end of their lifespans and would both cost in the region of £125K to replace, although the College would return a sinking fund worth £23K which had been created and remained unspent for the replacement of the all weather pitch.  Members then questioned the Head of Tourism and Culture, Mr Bennett about his report.  He did not believe that the College’s decision to relinquish control of the Leisure Centre was connected with any issues surrounding Scarborough Town Football Club, but felt that by not contributing to the operating costs, the Council had benefited from an advantageous deal in 2008.  He could not guarantee that the all weather pitch would be replaced like for like, since the facilities at Pindar College needed to be viewed in the context of the broader leisure strategy which was being drawn up for the Borough – a strategy based on a principal sports village at Weaponness Valley Road, and satellite sites including Pindar Leisure Centre.  The leisure strategy sought to co-locate facilities on individual sites, but also to avoid duplication and ensure that facilities complemented each other.  He noted that usage of the all weather pitch had reduced because of competition from the floodlit artificial pitch at Scarborough College following the relaxation of planning restrictions and extended opening times outside education hours.  A further variable was the range of management options for the new sports village, one of which could be that management arrangements for the village also extend to Pindar Leisure Centre.  The Strategic Director, Hilary Jones added that there was some fluidity about what facilities would eventually be included in the sports village, dependent on the procurement exercise, but also on public funding opportunities; for example, an Olympic Legacy funding bid if successful would enable a swimming pool to be provided on site.  Asked how well the Pindar facility would continue to cater for disadvantaged communities and address health inequalities, Mr Bennett commented that some 40% of its usage was by the College, and the new leisure strategy would consider these issues.

RESOLVED that the Committee recommends to the Cabinet that:

(i)                 on 1 April 2012 the management of Pindar Leisure Centre is transferred from George Pindar Community College to Scarborough Borough Council;

(ii)               the management arrangements of the original Joint Use Agreement established when the Leisure Centre opened in 1995 are agreed between Scarborough Borough Council and George Pindar Community College;

(iii)             the £23,000 Sinking Fund for the replacement of the all weather facilities transferred to George Pindar Community Sports College on 1 December 2008 is returned to Scarborough Borough Council on 1 April 2012 and used to extend the lifespan of the facilities; and

(iv)              the future management of the facility is reviewed prior to the end of the 21 year lifespan of the Joint Use Agreement in 2016 taking into consideration the proposed development of the Sports Village at Weaponness.