Agenda item

The Board considered a report from the Operational Director – Community and Environment, which provided information on the Council’s Sport and Recreation Service, and Leisure Centre and Sports Development Services for the financial year 2021/22.

 

The report outlined what the service had delivered during the last 12 months, following the emergence from the pandemic.  The Leisure Centre Service (LCS) reopened in April 2021 after the third national lockdown.  It was reported that the service continued to actively work with partner organisations, to facilitate development through a better understanding of local issues and a sharing of resources to achieve success; without which much of the work highlighted in the report would not have been possible.

 

The Sport and Recreation Team has two distinct areas, Sports Development Team and Management of the Council’s 3 Leisure Centres – Kingsway Leisure Centre, Brookvale Leisure Centre and Runcorn Swimming Pool.  The report outlined the projects delivered in both of these areas in detail, which included participation data and partnership and collaboration work.

 

Following the presentation, the following information was provided or clarified:

 

·         The figure of 248,000 related to number of activity visits made to leisure centres, not the number of people;

·         The use of grass pitches was back to capacity, specifically Widnes;

·         Following the Covid-19 pandemic, older clients were slowly returning to classes;

·         Brookvale pool was not open to the general public during the day, except early mornings and two lunchtimes, but the gym was;

·         Some lifeguards were swimming instructors as well, so did both jobs;

·         There was a waiting list for swimming classes; unfortunately, due to resources the waiting list is currently suspended.  If there is a space a customer can be enrolled, if not they would be asked to call back.  Once resources permit, the waiting lists will recommence; and

·         There was a review of the Aquatics service currently underway which was looking at stabilising the model.

 

Members discussed their concerns over the poor retention of lifeguards and swimming instructors in the Council, which was adversely affecting the services provided in leisure centres, due to not having enough qualified staff to operate fully.  Arising from the discussion and responses were the following points:

 

·         Three lifeguards were needed to open a swimming pool to enable the operation of a “two on – one off” rotation; the “off” rotation staff member did other jobs during this period of time;

·         Examples of other jobs carried out by the lifeguards were given;

·         Swimming instructors were considered to be low paid, in comparison with these jobs in the private sector;

·         Lifeguards and swimming instructors were employed on HBC contracts; in addition a large number of casual workers were employed that the service relied on for holiday cover/vacancies;

·         Out of 36 lifeguards trained during 2021, 17 had found work at other sites;

·         Four lifeguard positions were currently in the recruitment line with HR waiting to be advertised;

·         Low pay was the main reason for recruitment difficulties for swimming instructors due to competition with the private sector;

·         Despite the closure of Runcorn swimming pool and staff shortages, there were no capacity issues for customers using the pools during general swim sessions;

·         A review of the swimming timetable would take place to see if a new Aqua class could be put on to accommodate the participants who attended Runcorn Pool;

·         A subsidy for lifeguard training courses was to be considered; and

·         Consideration to increase the pay for lifeguards and swimming instructors was suggested.

 

It was noted that with regards to the consideration of increasing pay to attract staff, a paper was being submitted to the Corporate Policy and Performance Board this year, on this matter.  The Board would be kept updated.

 

RESOLVED:  That the Board

 

1)    notes the report and comments made; and

 

2)    welcomes the progress being made in encouraging and supporting residents to be active.