The One Leisure Active Lifestyles Annual Report 2018/19 is to be presented to the Panel.
Contact:M Grey 388244 / J Peadon 388048
Minutes:
With the aid of a report by the Sports Development Manager and the Active Lifestyles and Health Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the performance, work programmes and highlights of the One Leisure Active Lifestyles Team during 2018/19 was presented to the Panel.
The Active Lifestyles and Health Manager informed Members that the service is a cost to the Council; however Officers are continuously looking at ways to reduce the cost. The Executive Councillor for Partnerships and Well-being added that during 2018/19 Active Lifestyles have increased the number or participants and, at the same time, reduced the cost to the Council.
A Member commented that GPs are more frequently prescribing social prescription and could the service look to the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for funding. In response, Members were informed that it is difficult to get funding from the CCG and that the CCG have their own ideas on what schemes they are willing to fund but added that Officers will welcome any influence Members may have.
Following a query, it was clarified that where reserves were used that was for Section 106 money used for the maintenance of the 3G pitch at St Neots Town Football Club as part of the original Section 106 agreement. Due to accounting reasons, the money had to be recorded as part of the Active Lifestyles budget and makes the financial position worse than what it is, although the spend was netted off as neutral.
The Panel was informed that Quarter 1 forecasts for each One Leisure facility are up on budget targets. In respect to Active Lifestyles, some challenging income targets have been set this year and the team will do everything they can to meet them (Q1 forecast is 1% over budget). Members were reminded that decisions are made in year by partners that affect income streams of One Leisure and Active Lifestyles.
It was noted that attendance figures for the Long Term Health Conditions, Disabled People and the Miscellaneous Category are down. Members were informed that in 2016/17 there was an over reporting of Long Term Health Conditions participants due to a technical error. In respect to disabled participants, the fall has been as a result of a care home stated that they no longer could afford the Active Lifestyles programme. In respect to Miscellaneous participants the increase is due to the Lets Get Moving Physical Activity Project. It does not fit in the traditional categories. From 2019 the activities will be categorised differently.
A Member noted that value for money element of the customer survey had decreased and asked for reasons. In response it was confirmed that it was as a result of fees going up or being charged for the first time. However, it was noted that fees are still competitive and that receiving 95% for value for money is very good.
Following a question of engaging with parish councils, the Panel was informed that the service has previously attended the parish council forum and has sent out case studies to the parish councils. Active Lifestyles have eight parish councils signed up for summer activities.
In response to a query about Active Lifestyles engagement with development, the Sports Development Manager confirmed that a large amount of his time is spent on planning applications. The service has had input with Alconbury Weald, Wyton and the idea of Active Travel. Although having an effective input is very challenging as there are lots of other priorities for planners to consider.
The Panel welcomed the contribution that Active lifestyles is making and recommends that the Task and Finish Group on Lifelong Health looks at some of the elements in more detail.
(At 8.35pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor S J Criswell left the meeting and did not return.)
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