Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services.

Decision

Cabinet approved

(a)           That a leisure strategy be developed to enable Dorset Council to consider and adopt a more strategic and informed approach to the way it operates its leisure facilities and service.

(b)           That the strategy be reviewed by the People and Health Overview Committee in the Autumn and then be brought to Cabinet for consideration and adoption.

(c)           That officers be instructed to agree contract extensions for Ferndown Leisure Centre, Blandford Leisure Centre, and Dorchester Sports Centre until 31.03.2024 on the existing contractual terms.

A leisure strategy will set out how the council aims to deliver its leisure service in the future and identify ways to improve community health through physical activity. The strategy will help shape how leisure facilities can be accessible, affordable, and sustainable in the future.

The Ferndown Leisure Centre and Blandford Leisure Centre contracts expire on 31.3.22, with the Dorchester Sports Centre expiring on 21.10.22. An extension to 31.3.24 would align all the existing leisure contracts and would allow time for the council to develop a leisure strategy which sets out the future delivery of its leisure sites and provision.

The Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services presented a report on the Leisure Services Review in Dorset. The aim of a leisure strategy was to set out how the council aimed to deliver its leisure service in the future and identify ways to improve community health through physical activity.  The strategy would help shapes how leisure facilities could be accessible, affordable, and sustainable in the future.

The recommendations set out in the report were proposed by Cllr L Miller and seconded by Cllr J Haynes.

In a response to a question, the Portfolio Holder advised that all members will be able to engage in the review, which would be an open and transparent piece of work. Responding to a further question, members were advised that the review did also include premises that were being operated by third party providers.

Decision

Cabinet approved

(a)           That a leisure strategy be developed to enable Dorset Council to consider and adopt a more strategic and informed approach to the way it operates its leisure facilities and service.

(b)           That the strategy be reviewed by the People and Health Overview Committee in the Autumn and then be brought to Cabinet for consideration and adoption.

(c)           That officers be instructed to agree contract extensions for Ferndown Leisure Centre, Blandford Leisure Centre, and Dorchester Sports Centre until 31.03.2024 on the existing contractual terms.

A leisure strategy will set out how the council aims to deliver its leisure service in the future and identify ways to improve community health through physical activity. The strategy will help shape how leisure facilities can be accessible, affordable, and sustainable in the future.

The Ferndown Leisure Centre and Blandford Leisure Centre contracts expire on 31.3.22, with the Dorchester Sports Centre expiring on 21.10.22. An extension to 31.3.24 would align all the existing leisure contracts and would allow time for the council to develop a leisure strategy which sets out the future delivery of its leisure sites and provision.