New management could be on the cards for Plymouth's sports and leisure facilities
Plans are being discussed by the City Council, that could see places like Mount Wise and Tinside Lido transferred to a new local authority trading company
Plymouth’s sports and leisure facilities are set to be managed by a new commercial company, owned by the city council, if plans being discussed this week go ahead.
In a report being considered by the council’s cabinet, Brickfields sports centre, Mount Wise pools, Plympton swimming pool, Plymouth Life Centre and Tinside Lido could be transferred to a new local authority trading company (LATC).
The changes would come into place when Plymouth City Council’s contract with operator SLM (Everyone Active) expires in March next year.
The plan follows a detailed review of different options available, which have taken into account the significant impact of covid on the leisure sector. The council says it has also considered independent financial advice suggesting it would be unlikely for a commercial tender to deliver best value in the current market.
It is estimated that over five years, an LATC model would be the most cost-effective for the council.
Councillor Mark Deacon, cabinet member for customer services, culture, leisure and sport, said: "Our current leisure contract was set up a decade ago and we’re looking at a very different landscape now, not least because of the massive impact of the pandemic on the sector right across the country.
"As we take our next steps we want to make sure we’re running our facilities in a way that will best meet the health and wellbeing needs of our residents, as well as our wider priorities and aspirations for Plymouth.
"We recognise the valuable links that can be made between our fantastic green and blue spaces and helping people stay active and well and we’ve made a number of commitments to make better use of our local environment – including Tinside and the rest of our spectacular waterfront.
"We also want to make much-needed investment and improvements to ensure our leisure facilities are fit-for-purpose not just now but for future generations."
Cllr Mark Deacon - Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure & Sport
Plymouth’s Labour party has offered a cautious welcome to the proposal. Councillor Sarah Allen, Plymouth Labour’s spokesperson for HR, leisure and parks, said:
"This is a move in the right direction but there are a number of issues on which we will be seeking clarity.
"This plan partially reflects the recent Labour-led administration’s ambition to bring these services back in-house and echoes our commitment to have better connections between our city’s green park spaces, the newly-created National Marine Park and our sports and swimming facilities.
"It is vital all relevant groups and communities are involved and engaged as this new company is developed, we need to know how this will work in practice and, importantly, what the advantages will be to the residents of the city.
"We want to see more people able to be actively involved in sport and leisure as we know how integral it is to people’s health and wellbeing.
"We will also need to understand exactly what this will mean for the staff involved."
Cllr Sarah Allen - Plymouth Labour's Spokesperson for HR, Leisure & Parks
Plymouth City Council says the idea meets a number of objectives outlined in the Plymouth Plan 2014 to 2034 and Active Devon’s ‘Towards an Active Plymouth’ report, which includes an aim for Plymouth to be the most active coastal city in England by 2034.
The council said it is committed to tackling health inequality in the city and supporting its most vulnerable residents, as well as making the most of Plymouth’s natural environment and the role it can play in helping people to stay active and well.
Under the new leisure management proposals, separate business cases would also be developed for improvements at Plympton swimming pool and upgraded facilities at Brickfields, including a review of its green spaces.
Cabinet members will consider the report when they meet on Tuesday 10 August.