Agenda item

Considered

A presentation by Austin Gordon of the Richmond Leisure Trust highlighting the following:

•         Summary of Richmondshire Leisure service and facilities

Ø  Total Annual Visits = 48,258 , this was for 9.5 months due to closure of the Pool in July , August and half of September 2023. Expected visits for a full year 60,000.

Ø  Total Health and Fitness Members: 659 as of 31st March 2024

Ø  Total Swim Lesson Numbers: 275 , this number having dropped from 395 before the first closure in summer 2022

Ø  A deficit was incurred in 2023/24 of circa £52k, this would have been a surplus position of £50k had it not been for the additional £102k on utility consumption.

•         Liberty Health Club – Membership Trends

•         Richmond Pool – usage

•         Current Organisation Challenges

Ø  Managing a deficit budget largely due to significant increase in utility consumption following the capital scheme.

Ø  Driving income especially learn to swim following a big reduction, following two closures in 2022 & 2023.

Ø  Managing the process of migrating the business from RLT to NYC along with winding up of RLT.

Ø  Managing building issues – ageing facility. Long term future of Liberty’s gym, current lease ends in 2026.

Ø  Future car park arrangements with nearby Station.

•         Transformation Management at RLT were involved in the Strategic Leisure Review that shaped the new Sport and Active Wellbeing service.

Ø  Staff are all receptive and supportive of the transformation and the approved Executive Report to bring facilities back in house, at a yet to be determined timeframe.

Ø  The RLT management team have held an initial scoping meeting with NYC to discuss transition, ICT, HR, etc.

Ø  Alongside the requirement of ‘business as usual’, the flexibility of approach from the new service has been a positive.

•         Developing

Ø  Whilst still facing operational challenges such as energy costs, recent closures (impact on delivery), the balance of revenue / recovery; the facilities still provide a quality community offer that is developing.

Ø  RLT facilities are included in the scope for the NYC Leisure Investment Strategy.

Ø  Positive links have been established with the NYC Sport and Active Wellbeing team, and Brimhams Active to assist with management and operational aspects.

Ø  Continuing to develop work on energy efficiencies, decarbonisation and income generation, with the ongoing challenges to control increased energy consumption following improvement works.

•         Future Plans

Ø  Transition into the new North Yorkshire Council in house delivery model.

Ø  Create a service link to Sport and Active Wellbeing (Development) to improve accessibility and develop outreach offer.

Ø  Assist in the service strategic priority of the pivot to wellness.

Ø  Continue to deliver a quality service and invest in workforce development.

Members welcomed the presentation but noted that their various questions were limited by the pre-election period for the forthcoming General Election and suggested that a subsequent discussion be arranged for a later date. It was asked how the Liberty Gym, with it being a commercial enterprise, would fit into the new arrangements. In response it was stated that it was unknown at this stage. The Liberty Gym had been taken on as a commercial venture in 2011, and it was utilised to subsidise the other leisure facilities following reductions in funding for the provision of those services. As the provision of leisure services was now with North Yorkshire Council they would determine the future of the Gym.

Resolved

That the presentation be noted and a further update be submitted to a subsequent meeting of the Committee.