Proposed
by Councillor Cathy James and seconded by Councillor Sonia Reynolds:
The then Cabinet took the decision in
2022, following intense debate and discussion over a period of a few months, to
insource indoor leisure services from Celtic Leisure Limited by 1st April 2023.
However, the decision has now been made, without reference to scrutiny, to
defer the insourcing of Celtic Leisure to 1st April 2025 at the earliest.
Leisure
services whilst non-statutory, provide resources for residents that play a key
role in promoting health and wellbeing and therefore full attention must now be
given to address this as part of service delivery and of course noting budget
constraints. They fulfil aspects, relating particularly to prevention and early
intervention, of our duty as a Council under the Social Services and Wellbeing
Wales (2014) act; also support requirements for physical education within the
Education Act Wales (2002); as well as considerations of sustainability of
facilities and services under the Wellbeing of Future Generations act (2015).
It is therefore, incumbent on us to ensure that these services are offered in a
manner that integrates into, and meets needs identified through our statutory
services, particularly Social Services and Education. The current obesity
epidemic and the known benefits of exercise and access to countryside for those
suffering from mental health issues is also relevant to our considerations.
Unions
representing Leisure staff have called for a joint working group with Council
to consider bringing services in house and it is noted ongoing dialogue is
taking place with trade unions.
If
all Councillors are to have a clear view in relation to the decision relating
to the insourcing of Leisure Services, it is essential that the work is
undertaken to consider potential models and put together a clear and well
evidenced business case to inform the decision that needs to be taken without
further delay.
It
is therefore proposed that the Council establish a cross-party Task and Finish
group (terms and conditions to be agreed by the cross-party group), with trade
unions and other appropriate organisations as relevant stakeholders, to
explore, develop and present to Cabinet an appropriate business case to
underpin decisions relating to the future control and operation of the
Council’s Leisure Services post April 2025.