Issue - meetings

Recommendations

It is recommended that:

1)    approval in principle is given for investment of approximately £36m in Skipton Leisure and Well Being Hub, Whitby Leisure Centre, Ryedale Swim and Fitness (Pickering) and Selby Leisure and Well Being Hub in accordance with this report and subject to further detailed work being undertaken to develop the design schemes, business planning and programming.

2)    the decision on final approval of the proposals for each site, having considered the overall financial position of the Council, be delegated to the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Community Development and the Executive Member for Resources and Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Housing.

3)    approval is granted for funding to develop the next stages of the business cases and design works, with funding approval to be delegated to Corporate Director of Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Housing.

4)    approval is granted for investment of up to a maximum of £3m to replace the Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (gym and fitness equipment) for 12 additional leisure sites across North Yorkshire as a phased programme.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Community Development providing the findings from the assessment of the Council’s leisure facilities and setting out the principles for a strategic approach and making recommendations for areas of investment in the facilities. 

The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, referred to the new Active North Yorkshire leisure service which had a strong emphasis on achieving better health outcomes for residents, and the Council was making a financial commitment in support of this.  The report presented Phase 1 of the Leisure Investment Strategy, which considered each site and where investment might be best targeted to maximise potential for income generation, efficient delivery and to best support the new delivery model.  Investment of £36m was proposed for facilities in Skipton, Whitby, Pickering and Selby.  This was predicated on sound financial planning by the Council in being able to realise savings in other areas and on future Government funding, and this was confirmed by the Executive Member for Finance and Resources.

Members welcomed the proposed investments which supported the Council’s ambitions in relation to healthy communities.

Resolved (unanimously)

That

1)    approval in principle is given for investment of approximately £36m in Skipton Leisure and Well Being Hub, Whitby Leisure Centre, Ryedale Swim and Fitness (Pickering) and Selby Leisure and Well Being Hub in accordance with this report and subject to further detailed work being undertaken to develop the design schemes, business planning and programming.

2)    the decision on final approval of the proposals for each site, having considered the overall financial position of the Council, be delegated to the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Community Development and the Executive Member for Resources and Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Housing.

3)    approval is granted for funding to develop the next stages of the business cases and design works, with funding approval to be delegated to Corporate Director of Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Housing.

4)    approval is granted for investment of up to a maximum of £3m to replace the Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (gym and fitness equipment) for 12 additional leisure sites across North Yorkshire as a phased programme.

Reasons for recommendations

To support the delivery of the aims for Active North Yorkshire, as set out in the Strategic Leisure Review. To ensure the service could contribute towards improving health and well-being and ensure participation in physical activity was accessible to everyone, whilst maintaining facilities that were financially and environmentally sustainable.

Alternative options considered

A range of alternative options had been considered as outlined in section 4 of the report.