Decision details

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Noted the operational update from the Council’s leisure partner; and

2.     Recommend that Council approves the proposed increases in fees and charges as set out in Appendix 1

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Council

PORTFOLIO:

Finance and Corporate / Community, Safety and Wellbeing

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing introduced the report and expressed his full support to the recommendations. 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate acknowledged increasing fees and charges was not popular, but felt it was important to work with Freedom Leisure recognising the good services provided to customers and that they would still be provided at outstanding value for money.

The Assistant Director – Finance clarified that Freedom Leisure had the ability to increase charges without seeking consent from the Council provided the increases were not greater than CPI, and that they did not relate to certain protected services such as Active Lifestyle products.  In recent years the flexibilities in the contract had been sufficient for the price increases, however with the long term increases in utility costs and increases to staffing costs due to the rise in national insurance, this was no longer possible, without an impact on service delivery and hence the recommendation put forward.