Agenda item

The committee to receive a presentation by representatives of SLM and council officers.

The committee received a presentation from SLM. The slides had been included in the agenda pack.

               Introducing the item, the Contracts and Partnerships Manager explained that the item provided details of the performance, outcomes and projects during 2022-23. Everyone Active had a 15-year contract to operate the leisure centres, Woodside Stadium and the Cassiobury paddling pools. The contract would expire in 2035 and supported the Council Plan which was monitored through quarterly meetings. SLM were performing well against the contract and no major concerns or breaches had been identified. Strong relationships were in place and a good understanding of priorities.

               Representatives of SLM then delivered their presentation which covered the facilities at the centres, key performance indicators, social value, impact on activity levels, sustainability, engagement with partners, challenges and future plans.

               Discussing the update, the committee highlighted the following areas:

·        The KPIs referred to attendances rather than numbers of members and the KPI levels were regularly reviewed.

·        GP referrals were captured through concessionary membership and there had been 100 referrals in 2022/23 and this was a growing area with a new online system in place. The GPs completed the forms which eradicated the barrier for the digitally excluded.

·        The Weight Watchers programme data referred to the first cohort only which was based at Woodside.

·        Everyone Active had an apprenticeship programme which had been affected by Covid and was being rolled out now with two apprentices in post. The partnership was being re-established and opportunities communicated to West Herts College.

·        SLM offered a variety of activities whereas other gyms did not include classes or studios, this affected pricing levels. Various different packages were available including swim-only but not gym-only. Underrepresented groups were being monitored. Concessionary rates were available for qualifying users.

·        Social value was measured through participation, financial performance and surveys. Wellbeing value was difficult to monetise but savings to the NHS could be calculated. Impact of physical activity could be measured through additional educational qualifications and saving to the judicial system. It had been a helpful tool to measure recovery from Covid; notably swimming at Everyone Active centres had recovered more quickly than other activities.

·        Work with schools was ongoing with about 23 schools participating in swimming lessons.

·        Active travel to the centres was important to SLM; Beryl Bike vouchers would be given out to customers and a survey was planned around modes of travel. Links had also been made with ArrivaClick to provide transport as part of the warmer places programme.

·        There had been an increase in the sheltered housing programme which also combatted social isolation. KPIs were measured through the council’s Sports and Physical Activity Manager. Testimonials from residents set out the positive impact on their wellbeing. There was also outreach to the Pensioners’ Forum.

·        Addressing the impact on children’s missed years’ swimming lessons due to Covid was an area to be considered further. One-to-one lessons were also available for children with additional needs. SLM would look into whether previous funding sources were still available.

·        SLM had considered various options to preserve the climbing wall facility. There had been a decline in usage despite interventions. There had also been competition from another climbing wall centre in Watford.

·        To increase capacity in fitness classes, regular monitoring took place and the programmes were amended to accommodate those with waiting lists. Further capacity was also offered through a virtual programme.

·        Those who did not attend a booked fitness class were charged and this had proved to be an effective deterrent.

·        A regional team reacted to emerging fitness trends and piloting activities at certain sites where appropriate to determine their long-term success.

·        Addressing the smaller increase in the throughput of disabled residents, it was noted that this was a group that was particularly affected by the pandemic, but the overall programme had increased.

·        There was no single factor that accounted for the increase in BME throughput; it could be an increase in users registering their ethnicity and there had been a general increase in participation.

·        Further clarification was provided about how mental health was measured.

The Chair expressed her thanks to the SLM team and asked about their hopes for the future. There were opportunities to expand certain areas of Central Leisure Centre, including more studios and an expansion of the gym. Car parking capacity at Central Leisure Centre was also a challenge.  They would also like to see a return to pre-Covid participation levels. There was a strong working relationship with the council.

    RESOLVED –

that the update be noted.