Decision details

The scrutiny committee received a report of the Committee and Scrutiny Officer setting out information about a new task group suggestion from the Head of Corporate Strategy and Client Services. 

The Corporate Leisure and Community Client Section Head explained the reason for the suggested task group.  The information gathered through the survey would provide insight into how the facilities were used and suggestions for the future.  He stated that the non-executive councillors’ feedback would feed into his report for the portfolio holder meeting in November.  A report about the re-tender of the contract would then be presented to Cabinet at its February meeting and not January as indicated within the report.

The Corporate Leisure and Community Client Section Head agreed to arrange for the survey link to be circulated to all councillors on the scrutiny committee.

The Chair informed the scrutiny committee that it was likely the task group would only meet on one occasion.  She had discussed the deadlines with the Corporate Leisure and Community Client Section Head and a suggested meeting date of Tuesday 18 October had been proposed. 

The scrutiny committee was concerned that there may not be sufficient time in one meeting to give justice to the review.  The Chair suggested that it might be necessary for the task group to meet prior to the meeting with the Corporate Leisure and Community Client Section Head and representatives from SLM.

Councillor Williams reminded councillors that the task group’s comments would be reported to this scrutiny committee in November.  At that point councillors may consider that further meetings were required.

The Corporate Leisure and Community Client Section Head advised that all councillors had an opportunity to lobby the Mayor about the re-tender process.

The Chair referred the scrutiny committee back to the list of councillors interested in taking part in the task group.  It was noted that Councillor Dhindsa had put his name forward following the publication of the report.  The Chair suggested that the task group should comprise a maximum of five councillors.  Once the membership was agreed, she would contact the councillors and suggest a pre-meeting was arranged. 

The scrutiny committee agreed the new task group should comprise the following councillors –

·       Councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa

·       Councillor Tim Williams

·       Councillor Kareen Hastrick

·       Councillor Keith Crout

·       Councillor David Barks

RESOLVED –

1.      that a new task group be established to evaluate the findings of the stakeholder engagement being carried out as part of the leisure centre management contract retender.

2.      that the task group comprises the following councillors –

·             Councillor David Barks

·             Councillor Keith Crout

·             Councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa

·             Councillor Kareen Hastrick

·             Councillor Tim Williams