Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Development to follow.

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Decision made (unanimously):

1.    That Cabinet welcomes and adopts the new South Ribble Leisure Facilities Strategy as set out in Appendix A to the report as a key document that will help deliver a sustainable future for public Leisure Facilities in the Borough.

2.    That Officers be requested to bring back to Cabinet and Council further reports outlining in detail how the new Leisure Facilities Strategy will be delivered including future management arrangements for the Leisure Centres.

The Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure presented a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Development bringing forward a proposed new Leisure Facilities Strategy for South Ribble. The report outlined a vision for future Leisure Facilities in the borough that was sustainable and fully contributed to the wider aspirations and ambitions of the Council’s Corporate Plan, notably in the areas of Health and Wellbeing, tackling Health Inequalities and Community Development.

A number of questions and comments were made on the document, including some suggested minor amendments. Reference was made to accessibility issues (in terms of access via public transport or walking) to existing leisure centres, which was acknowledged by the ‘leisure local’ concept.

Decision made (unanimously):

1.    That Cabinet welcomes and adopts the new South Ribble Leisure Facilities Strategy as set out in Appendix A to the report as a key document that will help deliver a sustainable future for public Leisure Facilities in the Borough.

2.    That Officers be requested to bring back to Cabinet and Council further reports outlining in detail how the new Leisure Facilities Strategy will be delivered including future management arrangements for the Leisure Centres.

Reasons for decision

South Ribble Borough Council has lacked a Leisure Facilities Strategy for some time that sets out a clear vison of what the Leisure Facilities offer will look like in the future. The decision to adopt the proposed new Leisure Facilities Strategy will ensure the future sustainability of Leisure Facilities, improve their quality and maximise their contribution to Health and Wellbeing, reducing Health inequalities and building local communities.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The alternative option was not to have a Leisure Facilities Strategy in place, but this would make progress in developing Leisure Facilities in the Borough very difficult going forward as has been shown in recent years.