Agenda item

The Committee received a joint report of the Corporate Director of Resources and the Interim Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services that provided an update in relation to activity levels in County Durham and proposals for the transformation of Durham County Council’s (DCC’s) leisure centre offer.

Councillor Adam stated that the item was part of the work programme of the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and on that basis was why it was on the agenda to be discussed.

Councillor Adam introduced the Interim Head of Culture and Sport who was in attendance to provide a presentation to members on the Leisure Centres in County Durham.  The Interim Head of Culture and Sport informed the Committee that a report had been considered by Cabinet on transforming Leisure Centres within County Durham in January.  She stressed the importance of the benefits of mental and physical wellbeing. They affected people’s health to help reduce sickness, improve productivity and in turn boost the economy.  It was essential that children remained active as some activity was lost as they got older and in adults it was even less. 

The Interim Head of Culture and Sport advised that the transformation would make Leisure Centres more accessible and affordable, creating a robust offer across County Durham to get more people active in a safe environment as they were considered as an asset for families to frequent.  It was proposed that every leisure centre would be reviewed to gain an overview of who used them; what the catchment area was like; what was the demand for each service provided including the cost; what type of offer would entice people to go and what barriers people experienced that prevented them from attending. She added that there would be a phased approach to refresh the leisure centres, looking at the front of house, how they could thrive as a brand and how some could be refurbished as to not to just include huge sports halls but to use the space in different ways.  She notified the committee that the community, stakeholders, schools and Members would be engaged with to help influence the project plan to take things forward. 

Councillor Adam appreciated that there was a lot going on with the service and the level of investment that involved the community to be healthier.

Councillor Avery felt it was pleasing that Durham County Council were trying to get communities to be healthier.  He often visited Spennymoor Leisure Centre and was saddened that the Council had lost Ferryhill Leisure Centre to the private sector.

Councillor Coult was concerned that there were children and young people that did not do any activities at all decreasing their fitness levels.  She commented that activities such as trampolining and climbing parks were trending with young people and these should be incorporated into the leisure centres as not to lose out to private companies.

The Interim Head of Culture and Sport stated that as part of the review of each leisure centre the traditional activities were being explored to coincide with change following the understanding and engagement of service users. She added that this would also include the pricing to ensure activities were affordable.

Councillor Adam acknowledged that there was an excellent leisure centre facility in Newton Aycliffe that had outgrown the original building as it was used by children and young people who lived in the area.

Councillor Wilkes made it clear that all Councillors should have been made aware that Durham County Council Leisure Centres was on the agenda so they had the opportunity to attend the committee. He also stressed that the community should be notified of when the leisure centre was going to be discussed.  However, he was delighted that work was planned to review leisure centres.  He felt that Members should be involved in discussing the details of the leisure centres before going out for consultation with the public.

The Interim Head of Culture and Sport welcomed the feedback from Councillors and the review was planned to commence with local members asking for their views.

Councillor Adam felt that there was the opportunity to discuss concerns with village leisure centres in order to rectify them.

Councillor Batey welcomed the consultation through the AAPs.  She was disappointed at the lack of winter training facilities for football for young people within Durham.  She wondered if links could be made with the Football Association to establish these types of facilities so children and young people did not miss out over the winter months.

The Interim Head of Culture and Sport stated that the wider physical activity framework was being looked at to include winter training facilities.  She agreed that work could be carried out with the Football Association for bids and create opportunities.

Councillor Maddison was saddened at the lack of cycle storage at Spennymoor Leisure but plenty of car parking spaces.  She wanted to know if more cycle storage could be included to encourage people to use their bikes when visiting the facility.

The Interim Head of Culture and Sport explained that within the review people would be asked what prevented and enabled them in being active.  She noted that if the lack of cycle storage was something that would prevent people attending the leisure centre then it would be considered to implement more bike storage.

Councillor Turnbull wanted to know if discounts could be offered for deprived families to use the all-weather play areas as he felt that they stood empty for long periods of time as people couldn’t afford to use them.

The Interim Head of Culture and Sport advised that within the review people would be asked what barriers they encountered in accessing services.  She felt that this was a good opportunity to review the pricing of activities but done in a way that was both affordable and cost effective.

Councillor Clarke informed the committee that his nearest Leisure Centre was in Consett but that was not in his division of Delves Lane and wondered if the consultation would ensure all Councillors were involved in the review.

The Interim Head of Culture and Sport agreed that she would ensure that all local councillors not just those associated with AAP’s would be engaged.

The Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader offered her services when looking at leisure centres within County Durham to see if the buildings were energy efficient.

The Interim Head of Culture and Sport advised that the transformation board were looking at climate change and environmental issues within the leisure centre transformation.

Councillor Adam stated that the Committee was to comment on the report.  He suggested that the Committee got involved with discussions around the Leisure Centre offer that would contribute to its future.  He felt that there was a requirement from local members to also get involved in the process as well.

Resolved

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny committee remains engaged in the significant engagement and discussion to the transformation of DCC leisure centre offer.

(iii) That arrangements are made for a further update to come to a future meeting of the committee.