Agenda item

RESOLVED: That

·         the report be noted.

·         the Committee have the opportunity to receive the Physical Activity Strategy for pre-decision scrutiny.

Neville Graham (Sport and Leisure Service Manager) introduced the report. The following key points were noted:

4.1. There were 2 contractors that operated leisure centres in the borough. One was Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) that operated 6 sites. The second one was 1 Life that had managed Downham Health and Leisure Centre (DHLC) since March 2007 and had a 32-year contract through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

4.1. As part of the budget cuts, changes were proposed to the concession arrangements within the leisure centres that allowed free gym, swim & athletics track access to all those over the age of 60 or those who were disabled.

From October 2022, the concession offer was continued for those who were disabled but those over 60 had to pay a subsidised concessionary rate rather that retaining free access.

4.1. Leisure centre participation had been steadily increasing since January 2022.

4.1. In November 2021, the Mayor & Cabinet approved a detailed feasibility study that would consider options for the future re-provision of the Bridge Leisure Centre which had remained closed following the Covid-19 pandemic when other leisure centres re-opened. This study was due to conclude soon, and public engagement would begin once the study had concluded.

4.1. A vacant unit in the Lewisham Shopping Centre had been converted into a health & wellbeing space called the CommUNITY space. This space was being used as a ‘warm welcome zone’ along with being a wellbeing space that provided free activity sessions, warm meals and support & advice to the local community.

4.1. The Council had been working with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to agree and deliver a programme of work that would upgrade the Tennis Courts across the following sites- Ladywell fields, Telegraph Hill, Hilly Fields and Chinbrook Meadows.

4.1. The Physical Activity Strategy that focused on increasing borough wide physical activity rates by working in partnership with local stakeholders was currently in the final stages of development.

The Committee members were invited to ask questions. The following key points were noted:

4.1. The Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) recommended that the pool water temperature and the composition of chemicals used in pool water were monitored regularly so all leisure centres in Lewisham followed this practice.

4.1. There was a wide range of activities available in the leisure centres for the general public and the exercise on referral scheme meant the leisure centres also had specialist programmes for people with specific health conditions. GLL was exploring the opportunity to have an exercise on referral scheme for cancer patients in the pre-operative stage to help their bodies prepare for surgery.

4.1. After the concessionary arrangements at leisure centres were changed, older residents (60+) lost free access to swim & gym but were told they would be eligible for discounted rates. GLL was offering the Be Active membership to older residents (60+) at £29.95 per month. The Committee enquired how this was a concessionary rate since membership had previously been available at this price to everyone. Officers agreed that further information on this would be circulated to members.

4.1. Spaces in and around the Bridge Leisure centre such as the 3G football pitch and the indoor bowls space were being put to good use. GLL recently worked on repairing the 3G football pitch which was now offering community activities alongside structured bookings. The indoor bowls space was being used by the Lewisham & Crystal Palace Indoor Bowls Club that had a membership of around 300 people.

4.1. Officers recognised that some groups of people in the south of the borough such as Bellingham and Downham were harder to reach when it came to engagement exercises. Therefore, ward councillors would be consulted when public engagement on the future of Bridge Leisure centre began so that local community’s needs were properly understood.

4.1. The CommUNITY space in the Lewisham Shopping centre unit was being used as an outreach space in partnership with GLL to encourage an active lifestyle.

4.1. The LTA would be paying for the refurbishment of tennis courts at the Hilly Fields site (along with 3 other sites). Even though the LTA was paying for the refurbishments, these courts were still very much a community asset and remained under the control of Lewisham Council. A £5 per hour fee was being charged for booking/ using the courts and this fee would be used for the upkeep of the courts. This message needed to be clearly communicated to the community as there had been some misunderstanding regarding these works at Hilly fields, where people assumed the LTA funding equated to privatisation of these courts.

4.1. Councillor Andre Bourne and Council officers visited the basketball courts in the Ladywell ward and at the visit they discussed upgrading those courts. An update on this issue was requested to ensure progress was being made.

RESOLVED: That

·         the report be noted.

·         the Committee have the opportunity to receive the Physical Activity Strategy for pre-decision scrutiny.