Agenda item

The Committee considered a report and presentation of the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth which set out the progress of the Leisure Transformation programme (for copy of report and presentation see file of minutes).

The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism attended the meeting to present the report and deliver the presentation.  Providing background information, the Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism referred to reports previously considered by Cabinet which outlined the purpose of the plan and the proposals for the new build locations. The Committee noted that a briefing report had been circulated to the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee in March 2021 which detailed the development of the leisure programme within the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2021, a further report was circulated setting out the plans forconsultation relating to the first leisure conversation phase. The consultation, which took place between October 2021 and November 2021, captured the feedback from the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism referred to the expected benefits of the plan including the added social value and an increased level of physical activity with an emphasis on specific groups.  In addition, the programme will support the council’s overall plans and strategies including the climate emergency response plan and the carbon reduction target.

The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism then highlighted plans for cohort 1 which covers Abbey, Peterlee, Spennymoor and Teesdale leisure centres, with the plans at Spennymoor including the relocation of the library into the leisure centre. Proposed refurbishments planned for cohort 2, covering the Louisa Centre, Meadowfield, Newton Aycliffe and the Riverside, include an increased family offer including a Clip and Climb facility and a café at the Louisa Centre.  Wellbeing suites planned for the Louisa Centre and Meadowfield will be designed to encourage those who are new to exercise or are recovering from injury.  Newton Aycliffe, a relatively new centre, is planned to receive general maintenance improvements to the sauna, steam room and toilet facilities.  The Committee heard that the service is working closely with partners including the football association and Park View Academy to develop the Riverside location into a county-wide sporting hub-site.  Plans include the installation of two new 3G pitches, improvements to the athletics track and changes aimed at encouraging increased day-time use. 

The Committee also received information on the proposals for refurbishments at Consett, Freemans Quay, Shildon and Wolsingham, which include the reinstatement of the swimming pool at Consett Leisure Centre.

The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism explained that the roadmap for delivery was subject to external influences and it was therefore a best estimate, with more exact timeframes for individual projects to be finalised later in the design process.  In terms of consultation and engagement, the Committee noted the three stage process of consultation aimed to ensure comprehensive engagement.  Explaining the activities to be delivered within the consultation and conversation stages, the Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism outlined the engagement process with the public, elected members, sports bodies, and key specialist groups including Durham County Council’s Disabilities Forum, young people and older people.

The Committee was informed that the first cohort of conversations received a good response and feedback supported the projects to proceed as planned, with minor points to be considered within the design work. During the first conversation, social distancing measures remained in place and it was confirmed that the reach of the digital engagement had been good.  However, it is hoped that going forward,there will be increased workshop attendance in the future. 

The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism explained that the next steps will include the second cohort of leisure conversation and plans for the delivery of subsequent consultation stages.  Designs for all schemes will be progressed and an evaluation of the budget position will take place.  A further report will be presented to Cabinet setting out the options for Seaham Leisure Centre.

The Chair thanked the officer for the presentation and invited questions and comments.

Councillor Townsend referred to concerns raised by residents of Shildon that the scale of the work required to refurbish the leisure centre at Shildon may lead to a decision to close the centre and she asked whether a timescale was available for the plans for Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre.  The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism responded that the position at Shildon will be clarified on completion of the site survey and an update will be provided on this together with an update in relation to the timeline for Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre to be provided as further information becomes available.

Councillor Moist spoke of the planned refurbishment of the Riverside and commented that whilst the residents of Chester-le-Street were aware of the conversations that had taken place with Park View Academy and the football association, they had raised concerns regarding the lack of conversation with the community and views had been expressed that the plans include little community use. 

Residents had also commented that the tennis courts had been neglected and the athletics track, if it was to remain as six-lanes rather than eight-lanes, would be unsuitable to host competitions. 

Councillor Moist requested that public consultation be carried out and further consideration be given to the plans for the tennis courts and athletics track.  The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourismreplied that the consultation in respect of the Riverside was imminent and will include consultation with elected members and the public. The plan to retain the athletics track as a six-lane track had been considered alongside the regional facilities and a six-lane track is considered by the athletics club as being sufficient for the level of racing which will take place at the Riverside. The plan for the tennis courts will be considered in phase two of the refurbishment, provided more funding is available and this will form part of the sports hub site, with an emphasis on improving community health and participation.

Councillor Moist expressed concerned at the lack of progress with the plans which were initially proposed in 2019 and he questioned whether the initial budget was achievable.  The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism spoke of the high level of cost confidence as the council had undertaken a highly comprehensive cost plan and applied contingency and risk to the schemes.  In addition, she explained that the plans include a basic design for all facilities, however, the exact nature of each of the facilities will be subject to review as plans progress.  The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism acknowledged timescales were difficult to determine at this stage, with external factors such as supply chain and sub-contractor availability impacting on timescales. 

Councillor Atkinson gave the view that smaller towns are often overlooked and added that those centres which had been transferred and are managed by communitiessuch as the leisure centre at Ferryhill would very much welcome additional provision from Durham County Council. In response, the Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism stressed that provision in smaller communities is a vital part of the draft Physical Activity Strategic Delivery Framework ie the next report, which aims to be inclusive and takes a holistic approach.

In response to a question from Councillor Purvis as to whether further detail was available on the plans for the leisure centre at Seaham, the Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism informed the Committee that Cabinet will receive a report in the near future which will provide updated information on the Seaham site locations and the options available.

Mrs P Holding asked if the proposed refurbishment work at Abbey Leisure Centre would lead to a temporary closure of the facilities whilst the work is carried out.   The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourismconfirmed that closure periods will be minimised during refurbishment works. 

Councillor Fenwick referred to the initiative to provide free swimming for children and asked whether there were any plans to extend this to other physical activities.  The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourismstated that the free swimming initiative would continue, however, there were no plans, at this stage, to extend this to other activities.

Councillor Adam commented that the report outlined the council’s prudent financial approach to the project and he expressed his concern with regard to the ongoing increasing costs.  Councillor Adam also pointed out the further additional cost considerations of delivering a path to Net Zero and he questioned whether there was a risk that there will be no scope to fund the Net Zero improvements, should costs continue to increase.  He commented that he hoped that the forthcoming Cabinet report will include information on the timescales for the delivery of the project and how the increasing costs will be funded. The Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism referred to public sector grants available which provided a level of confidence with regard to the cost of the work leading to Net Zero and she added that cost planning had been ongoing and the forthcoming Cabinet report will provide more detailed analysis of the budget.

Due to time constraints, Councillor Quinn agreed to submit a question by email.

Resolved:

a)    That the report be noted.

b)    That a further update on the progress of the programme is provided at a future meeting of the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.