Minutes:
Lance Codling, Forest Hill Manager, gave an update:
· Maintenance issues have been addressed, a new company is now
responsible for repairing the equipment in the gym. Where there was
previously a lot of equipment out of order it has all been fixed now with
only one out of order, due to be fixed next week
· Leaks in the building which are being looked at
· Problems with class cover and staff, Fusion LS are looking at recruitment
· Cleaning issues are being addressed
Questions from the floor:
Q -Barrier should be repaired
A- Currently waiting on a company to come back with a date to fix the barrier, this
should be repaired over the next few weeks
Q- Yoga classes are oversubscribed, bookings are not managed correctly- the classes
are stated as full but there are spaces where people don't turn up that have booked.
There are also not enough classes, for example Yoga and Pilates
A – Fusion LS are currently looking for Yoga and Pilates instructors, they try to offer a
diverse programme and put classes on at the right time. They also advised that the class
programme is being reviewed and a new program will be available from April.
Q- Aqua aerobic class’s timings need to be looked at, it was pointed out that it clashed
with school pick up times and could there be another class during the day?
A -Customer surveys are going out to find out when and what people’s choices are to
help with the new timetable from April
Q- Concerns were raised over Fusion Lifestyles financial position and their recovery plan
Is there a recovery plan in operation?
Is the company making a loss or a profit?
A - Lance referred these questions onto higher management via the councillors in their
follow up meetings.
Q -The current Perception of Fusion LS is that it is not well run organisation
A -Lance commented that the issues that have been raised are been looked at and
they are not falling on deaf ears
Q- There was a comment on staff shortage and lack of staff cover for classes
A -Lance advised that they were currently running a pool lifeguard course and continue
to search for more staff and continue to develop staff.
They also run apprenticeships at Fusion Lifestyle
A comment was made on how helpful and friendly the Forest Hill pool staff are.
Q - Another comment was around there being less lockers available and are broken,
do the lockers have a Maintenance Plan?
A - Fusion don't have a contract for locker repairs but they have an in house Facilities
Management team that cover locker issues.
There was a security problem with the breaking in of lockers but this has been resolved
by the culprit being caught by Fusion staff and arrested
Q - There are 2 Diving blocks that not in use
A – They are due to be repaired shortly
Q- A comment was made about the music being too loud in the gym
A - Lance said that if you speak to a member of staff they will turn it down
Q - Councillor Davis raised the problem of constant change of instructors in classes and
class cancellations
A - Lance said that they aim to cover classes due to annual leave and if the class is
cancelled at short notice they will contact members that have booked on to advise of
cancellation.
Q - Do you monitor how often the classes are being cancelled?
A – Yes and Lance stated that this year they have had 13 class cancellations.
Q- Cleanliness and overshoes on poolside, is there someone that checks that people are
wearing them?
A - There is always a stock of overshoes but it's quite difficult to check people are
putting them on. He said they will be extra vigilant in looking for people who are not
wearing them and help with the cleanliness
Q - Can the plastic merchandise in the lobby be changed?
A - There is a mixed view on this from people who have said it's a great thing for their
children and others saying it’s a terrible waste of plastic and don’t like it. In the past they
have had books and toys in reception but they have become damaged quite quickly.
Fusion LS will try and find a happy medium.
Councillor Bernards raised the issue of pool use for children with disabilities. Lance
said he would raise this with his managers, there are currently some sessions but pool
space can be quite difficult to fit all activities in but they will look into it.