Issue - meetings

Report of Director of Environment and Culture

The contents of the report was noted.

Councillor Mildren commented that this was a good news story and that the financial impact had been better than expected.  He queried what the impact would be once the scheme came to an end in 2011.  

Councillor P D Varnsverry, as the Portfolio Holder for Engagement, submitted a report that set out a summary of leisure services’ performance during the first year of the Government’s Free Swimming Initiative and also set out an analysis of usage.  Councillor Varnsverry commented that the scheme had been very successful and this was due to the hard work of the Head of Culture and Leisure and his staff in implementing it.  He stated that the initiative had contributed positively to the health and well being of the under?16s and over?60s and that it had been the right decision of his predecessor to agree the option to extend the scheme to the under?16s.  He noted that the Council compared very favourably with much bigger Councils who often had more swimming facilities available and he also referred to the investment that had been made at Lings Forum as a consequence of the success of the scheme.  Councillor Varnsverry made reference to the table set out on page 3 and noted the estimated operating surplus of £47,125.  He also referred to the nominal fee to cover administration costs that would allow access by the under?16s and over?60s to other leisure facilities.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.