Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) and presentation from GLL to inform Members of the work of Greenwich Leisure Limited over the period April 2019 to September 2019.

Head of Service –GLL Central Region, Matt Perren, and the Partnership Manager – Welwyn Hatfield, Craig Woodward, gave a presentation to update Members on the Welwyn Hatfield and GLL Partnership over six months to the end September 2019.

The Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) merger with Finesse Leisure, the previous operator, was completed on 1 May 2018.

By the end of the current contract in January 2029, the merger would have saved the Council £7.2M in management fee payments.

GLL had partnerships with over 30 local authorities across the UK and trades under its ‘Better’ brand.

There were seven different sport and leisure sites within the contract with Welwyn Hatfield Council.

The partnership had made the following improvements to their services over the period April to September 2019:-

·         Improved site access control with the scan and enter system being updated across their managed centres

·         GLL staff are paid at least the ‘Real Living Wage’

·         Management Team Review had now been completed

·         Successful Apprenticeship Programme implemented

·         Launch of ‘Listen 360’ – a system that asks customers for feedback and to rate GLL

·         Social Value Impact of £2.2M – GLL had developed an online tool with Sheffield University to obtain a Social Value Impact figure. This had shown an increase over 2018.

Usage of the sports and leisure sites had increased year on year in all key areas cross the partnership, with significant growth in both the over 65’s and under 16’s using the facilities.

Several successful community events had taken place over the last six months including litter picking at King George V Playing Fields, GLL’s Annual Golf Society Day which raised over £1000 for Cancer Research and the Big Summer programme coordinated by the Community Partnerships team. GLL participated in Big Summer 2019 by hosting a range of activities for all the family at Stanborough Park, King George V Playing Fields and Moneyhole Lane Playing Fields. Activities included a climbing wall, bungee run and field games.

The Welwyn Hatfield Community Fund had been established over 2019 using a legacy funding from the former Finesse Leisure Partnership. Bids for the fund can range from £350 to 350k. Over 20 applications had been received to date with 5 successful applications:-

·         Monks Walk School £3850 – Rugby World Cup Roadshow

·         Welwyn St Mary’s £15000 – Playground refurbishment

·         Hatfield Town Council £8653 – Cancer Rehabilitation Programme

·         North Mymms Cricket Club £4000 – Programme & Club Development

·         Bushin Martial Arts £500 – Protective Equipment

Future GLL projects for 2020 included:-

·         Continuing to promote the new Welwyn Hatfield Community Fund

·         Developing a Healthy Hub

·         Reviewing and improving the Health Offer across the local partnership.

·         Delivering further employee and team development and training.

·         Preparing to operate the new Splashlands from Summer 2020

Members enquired about zero hour’s contracts and staff turnover. Members were informed that GLL still operated zero hour’s contracts as this was usual for people who worked in the sport and leisure industry. All staff were paid the real living wage as GLL wanted to ensure that all staff were paid a fair and competitive wage.

The Chairman thanked GLL for their presentation.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation from GLL be noted.