Agenda item

The One Leisure Active Lifestyles Annual Report 2015/16 is to be presented to the Panel.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Leisure and Health (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the One Leisure Active Lifestyles Annual Report 2015/16 was presented to the Panel. Members noted that Active Lifestyles has been incorporated into the One Leisure brand.

Members were informed that the service’s main aim is to encourage people to get active through events such as the Park Run event at Hinchingbrooke. The Panel was informed that there is the possibility of extending the event out across the District, in particular St Neots however there are not volunteers to run the event yet. Members were reminded that Park Run is a franchise and to run it locally there is an outlay of £5k.

Following a question regarding the alternative activities encourage by One Leisure Active Lifestyles (OLAL) Members were informed that OLAL aims to attract target groups which haven’t been provided for before. The examples given was that Cyclone offers a low level group and the walking football sessions targets the over 35s. It was noted that the average age of participants of the walking football is 60 plus.

The Panel noted that OLAL has been encouraging Burgess Hall users to starting to get active and has advertised sporting events to them. As a result there has been an increase in the number of bookings during the last 12 months.

In response to a question regarding the exercise referral scheme, Members were informed that Cambridgeshire County Council won’t be providing the exercise referral scheme. There is however a joint local authority ‘Physical Activity Offer’ which will go for consideration at Cambridgeshire County Council’s Health Committee to secure £1m funding over two years.

Following a question about the discounted gym scheme for councillors it was confirmed that 10 councillors are currently using the discounted gym scheme.

In response to a question regarding the Dragon Boat clubs at St Neots, Members were informed that the Council support the groups to help themselves however would work with them in order to promote active lifestyles.

Members were informed that OLAL has been working on capturing feedback and then act upon it. The Panel noted that if OLAL can’t do anything then be up front with the customer.

In response to a query regarding £30k of external spend on printing, the Panel was informed that One Leisure gives as much printing as possible to document centre however specialist and bulk printing can be done more cheaply and efficiently by external printers.

The Panel were informed that considering the size of the OLAL team getting 5500 different individuals taking part is a good return.

Following a question regarding how often are OLAL turning attendees at the free taster sessions into paid members, the Panel was informed that after the taster the attendee can do a course however it is then up to the clubs to keep getting people to come back.

The Panel was informed that the Tour of Cambridgeshire has improved its communication with the parishes as they recognised that they did not communicate well with the parishes last year. The Council promoted OLAL in the first year of the event and then promoted the Matrix bikes the second year.

The Panel thanked Officers and commended the report.