Decision details

Decision:

That no Direct Debit Payment be taken from Leisure Centre Members for the period of 12^th April to 30^th April 2021 from Leisure Centre Members.

Reason(s) for decision:

1.    South Ribble Borough Council are taking the Leisure Centres back into Council Management from the 1^st April 2021. The Leisure Centres are allowed to re-open on 12th April 2021 with a limited amount of available activities in-line with Government regulations. We currently have 4000 Direct Debit members who in normal times pay their direct debit on the 1^st of the month.

2. With the re-opening of the Leisure Centres on 12^th April it is planned not to take the April Direct Debit as members would only have 18 days of use and will only have access to a limited range of activities at the centres.

3. This decision is part of an overall Marketing Plan in providing an incentive for existing Direct Debit Leisure Centre members to remain members and use the gesture of goodwill enticing new Customers to become Leisure Centre Members

Other options considered and rejected:

Other options were considered of having a Direct debit but at a lower level of £5 or £10 but it was felt that giving the limited availability of activities and the cost of paying a third party to carry out the Direct Debit on our behalf it would be more beneficial to customers paying a direct debit a free 18 days which would benefit them and the service in the long-term.