Issue - meetings

The Board received the annual report and accompanying presentation for the period 2016-17 on the Council’s Sport and Recreation Service.  The report was presented by the Sport and Recreation Manager, Community and Environment and the Leisure Centres Manager, Community and Environment.

Members were advised that the Sport and Recreation Team had worked in partnership with a range of stakeholders and had made considerable progress, impact and achievements across the Borough.  The Team was structured to reflect the priorities set out within the Halton Sports Strategy and illustrated how sport had and continued to enrich the lives of people living and working in Halton.   It was commented that sports and recreation activities were used as an essential component in supporting and developing the infrastructure of the community and to improve the quality of life for residents both physically and mentally.

It was noted that without the contribution from partners such as Halton Sports Partnership, much of the work discussed in the report would not have been possible.

The Sports and Recreation Team had two distinct areas:

·       Management of the Council’s 3 Leisure Centres Kingsway, Brookvale and Runcorn Swimming Pool); and

·       The Sports Development Team.

These were discussed in the report and details of the delivery of the Sports Strategy were outlined in Themes as follows:

·       Theme 1 – Increase participation and widen access;

·       Theme 2 – Club development;

·       Theme 3 – Coach education and volunteering;

·       Theme 4 – sporting excellence;

·       Theme 5 – Finance and funding for sport; and

·       Theme 6 – Sports facilities.

Three Appendices were attached to the report providing details of Coach Education and Volunteering (Appendix 1); Sports Coaching Bursaries (Appendix 2); and Sports Development Group Grants and Bursaries 2016-17 (Appendix 3).

The presentation included information on the free activities available in Halton’s Leisure Centres since their return to the Council in April 2016; the £300,000 fitness refurbishment programme; the success of recent promotions and events; swimming activities and classes; the Twin Town Challenge; and participation figures for 2016-17.

Officers responded to Members queries and it was noted that all staff employed in the Leisure Centres were Halton Borough Council staff and zero hour contracts had been abolished.  The cost of the gym packages was discussed and following a Member’s query, the Board was advised that all Runcorn Schools swimming lessons for children had moved to Brookvale Recreation Centre. 

In response to a request for statistics on the numbers of children participating in swimming lessons, this information would be provided to the Board following the meeting as it was not available at the moment.  It was confirmed that the schools funded their own swimming lessons for the children.

RESOLVED:  The Board notes the report and welcomes the progress being made in Leisure Centres towards encouraging and supporting residents to be active.