Decision details

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Planning, Economy & Wellbeing, as contained on pages 41 to 62 of the Book of Reports, which provide an update on the work carried out to review Wellbeing and Leisure Services, including consideration of the comprehensive consultation process that took place between October and December 2024.

A Motion to approve the recommendations in the report was moved and seconded.

An Amendment, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded.

During the course of the debate the Amendment was altered by the mover and seconder of the Amendment, with the agreement of the meeting, which read as follows:

"A.    That the strong opposition to the closure of the facilities in the consultation responses at 88.5% be noted.

B.     That the Nye Bevan and Park Pool centres remain open and full financial provision be made for doing so when considering the GRA Revenue Budget Report and MTFS Update 25-26 later in the Agenda.

C.     That the Director of Planning, Economy & Wellbeing to bring a Report to the next Meeting of the Full Council setting out proposals for a programme of essential repairs for both Nye Bevan and Park Pool centres to ensure continued operation for the coming 5 years.

D.     That a Working Group of Full Council: Leisure Operations Working Group Membership – 8 members – 4 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Owl and 1 Independent be established:

Function: To first meet before 30 June 2025 to closely examine the income and expenditure of the leisure centres and investigate capital investments that would reduce operating costs and make recommendations to full Council that reduce the operating subsidy at the leisure centres."

A vote was taken on the Altered Amendment, which at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:                      Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Eccles, de Freitas, Furey, Gordon, Hesketh, Hogan, Howard, Ingman, Jukes, Lloyd, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Webster, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (TWENTY-TWO)

AGAINST:              Councillors: Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Devine, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Lawton, Molloy, Nixon, Owen, Parlour, Pryce-Roberts (TWENTY-ONE)

ABSTENTIONS:      NONE

A vote was taken on the Substantive Motion, which at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:                      Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Eccles, de Freitas, Furey, Gordon, Hesketh, Hogan, Howard, Ingman, Jukes, Lloyd, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Webster, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (TWENTY-TWO)

AGAINST:              Councillors: Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Lawton, Molloy, Nixon, Owen, Parlour, Pryce-Roberts (TWENTY)

ABSTENTIONS:      NONE

RESOLVED:

A.     That the strong opposition to the closure of the facilities in the consultation responses at 88.5% be noted.

B.     That the Nye Bevan and Park Pool centres remain open and full financial provision be made for doing so when considering the GRA Revenue Budget Report and MTFS Update 25-26 later in the Agenda.

C.     That the Director of Planning, Economy & Wellbeing to bring a Report to the next Meeting of the Full Council setting out proposals for a programme of essential repairs for both Nye Bevan and Park Pool centres to ensure continued operation for the coming 5 years.

D.     That a Working Group of Full Council: Leisure Operations Working Group Membership – 8 members – 4 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Owl and 1 Independent be established:

Function: To first meet before 30 June 2025 to closely examine the income and expenditure of the leisure centres and investigate capital investments that would reduce operating costs and make recommendations to full Council that reduce the operating subsidy at the leisure centres.

(Note: Councillor D Westley left the meeting following consideration on this item.)

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The meeting was adjourned for 10 minutes.

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