Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Ashworth)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement which had been prepared as part of the 2011/12 estimate procedure and set out options for increasing the level of fees and charges at Salt Ayre Sports Centre, Community Pools and Platform.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

The officer preferred option was Option 1.  This option allowed for increased revenue whilst retaining fees at affordable and competitive levels. The flexibility for the Head of Community Engagement to set maximum prices in line with particular promotions for activities would help to respond to changes in market demand throughout the year and this was noted on the Appendix to the report.  For future years, it was anticipated that there would be changes to introduce a clearer policy for the setting of fees and charges generally, supported by updates to the Scheme of Delegation.  This was currently being developed for consideration by Members in due course and would be considered as part of a review of the Scheme of Delegation.

Councillor Ashworth proposed, seconded by Councillor Kerr:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

By way of amendment, Councillor Whitelegg proposed and Councillor Barry seconded:-

“That all charges (i.e. excluding inflation and VAT increases) that relate to physical activity be set at 0%.  This would apply to all charges for: swimming (including lessons and pool hire), badminton, table tennis, fitness classes, athletics, football pitches, cycle track and skills, bowls, tennis, multi use games area (MUGA) and football club charges.”

Councillors then voted on the amendment:-

2 Members voted in favour of the amendment (Councillors Barry and Whitelegg) and 6 Members against (Councillors Ashworth, Blamire, Bryning, Kerr, Langhorn and Robinson) whereupon the Chairman declared the amendment to be lost.

By way of a further amendment Councillor Robinson proposed and Councillor Barry seconded:

“That the following revisions be made to the proposals set out in the report:

• The adult 6 month swimming pass for the three community pools at Heysham, Carnforth and Hornby be set at £140 and consistent with that at Salt Ayre as opposed to £150;
• That the Senior 60 6 month swimming pass be set at £105 as opposed to £110;
• That the Family Swim be set at £8.50 as opposed to £9;
• That the private hire of Salt Ayre main pool be set at £45 as opposed to £50;
• That officers monitor the hiring of the Platform to ascertain whether the increase in hire charges has a negative affect on bookings.”

Councillors then voted on the further amendment.

3 Members voted in favour of the amendment (Councillors Barry, Robinson and Whitelegg) and 5 Members against (Councillors Ashworth, Blamire, Bryning, Kerr, and Langhorn) whereupon the Chairman declared the amendment to be lost.

Councillors then voted on the original proposition.

Resolved:

(5 Members (Councillors Ashworth, Blamire, Bryning, Kerr, and Langhorn) voted in favour and 3 Members (Councillors Barry, Robinson and Whitelegg) abstained.)

(1)               That the charges for Salt Ayre Sports Centre, Community Pools, Williamson Park, Parks and Recreation Grounds and the Platform are increased in line with the proposed percentages (rounded to nearest £0.10) as set out in Appendix 1 with effect from 1^st March 2011, generating additional income of £14,400 over and above the minimum budgetary requirement to cover inflation and VAT increases.

(2)        That the Overview & Scrutiny Chairman be consulted with a view to waiving call in, in accordance with Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rule 17, to enable the decision to be implemented immediately.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision will maintain income whilst retaining fees at affordable and competitive levels.