Agenda item

The report provides an update in relation to increasing physical activity in North Kirklees and the next steps.

Contact: Martin Gonzalez – Public Health Manager

The Committee received a report in respect of proposals to develop a new sport and leisure facility in Dewsbury and to support wider improvement of physical activity levels in North Kirklees.

To supplement existing knowledge and insight, engagement work had been commissioned in respect of the barriers and enablers to physical activity, with a particular focus on Batley and Dewsbury, with the final report being received in early October.

On 21^st October, Cabinet had approved proposals to progress plans for a new sports and leisure facility in Dewsbury to supplement existing leisure provision in North Kirklees.

Councillor Carole Pattison, Leader of the Council, introduced the item and highlighted the following:

·       The proposals were at an early stage and input from Scrutiny was welcomed.

·       The research had indicated a strong demand for a replacement leisure facility, with a swimming pool, in Dewsbury.

·       Further work was required to determine the full scope of the facilities.

·       The importance of improving health outcomes and supporting people in North Kirklees to become healthier and live more active and longer lives was recognised.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Deputy Chief Executive, was present for the item and Martin Gonzalez, Public Health Manager, presented the report and advised:

·       Activity levels in North Kirklees had been significantly lower than other parts of the district and lower than the national average when the previous facilities had been operating so it was important to ensure that a new facility was useful and welcoming to as many people as possible and would better meet the needs of the greater part of the population. An options appraisal was therefore being prepared to establish how this could best be achieved.

·       It was acknowledged that delivery of a new facility would be a lengthy process so, in the interim, work would be undertaken to try and address physical activity inequalities alongside partners. KAL which would operate from community bases to expand capacity, broaden the offer and provide physical activity opportunities within the area, without duplicating work undertaken at grassroots level by communities and the voluntary sector.

·       A number of barriers to physical activity had also been identified in the consultation, including public safety in open spaces and affordability. Work was ongoing with partners to look at the wider systemic issues and how barriers could be overcome. As an example, a multi-stakeholder project under the Place Partnerships Expansion Programme, with Sport England specifically focussed on these issues.

Questions and comments were invited from Committee Members, with the following issues being covered:

·       In terms of the timescale for delivery and managing expectations, reference was made to the Spen Valley Leisure Centre which had taken approximately six and a half to seven years from concept to completion. Work would be undertaken in the interim to increase capacity and support the community.

·       In respect of budgetary provision, the Administration intended to propose inclusion in the Council’s Capital Plan and it was hoped that all political groups would support this.

·       The funding for the feasibility study had already been identified within the Public Health Grant, alongside that required for the outreach work with Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL).

·       Opportunities for co-location, such as with health services, would be explored and this may assist in attracting NHS investment. The options appraisal phase was very important to ensure that a quality offer was developed which worked for residents of North Kirklees.

·       998 survey responses had been received, supplemented by 59 focus group participants and 69 face-to-face engagements.

·       The cost of accessing leisure provision/swimming was raised and the impact on families that did not have that disposable income. It was acknowledged that affordability had been highlighted by the consultation as a key issue, alongside perceptions of safety and the desire for social participation in activities.

·       This issue would be considered as part of the modelling as the scheme progressed, whilst balancing the need to be manageable and sustainable. Swimming pools were costly to operate, particularly in terms of energy requirements, but consideration would be given to the available technology to ensure as efficient an operation as possible and also to income-generating facilities that could operate alongside to help offset costs and maintain an affordable price point.

·       There was an intention for KAL to deliver a new physical activity offer from two sites, from early 2026, one in the Batley area and one in Dewsbury. The format and schedule were still to be finalised but might include services such as exercise referral, with one-to-one consultations, and group activities. It could evolve over time to react to demands and needs and would be designed to complement existing provision.

·       In response to questions about long?term sustainability and how future facilities would maintain sufficient user numbers, in light of the previous issues affecting Dewsbury Sports Centre, it was explained that this had been, in part, due to the age, condition and inefficiency of the building. In terms of footfall and income generation, the new facility would not be a stand?alone offer but would complement facilities at Batley Sports and Tennis Centre and Spen Valley Leisure Centre.The feasibility study would examine both capital and ongoing revenue costs, to achieve a balance between costs and income generation. KAL would be involved to contribute operational expertise and ensure a functional and sustainable model.

·       The importance of considering detailed design issues at an early stage was noted. The new facility would include a pool, but details on size and specification would be determined through the options appraisal process.

·       In terms of the timescale for the feasibility study, it was explained that a timeline was in development. The hope was to produce the options appraisal fairly quickly to ensure that residents were informed and understood the position.

·       This was a fantastic opportunity to be able to build something for the future and to appeal to all the different parts of the community and it was questioned whether models from other local authorities had been reviewed. It was confirmed that examples from across the country had already been examined and that the options appraisal would include further consideration of co?location models and varied facility provision to ensure decisions were based on the best available intelligence.

·       The Cabinet was fully committed to delivery of the proposal and the scheme would be incorporated into the forthcoming budget proposals, which would subject to approval at the Council’s budget meeting in February. Budget discussions and engagement with other political groups were already underway.

RESOLVED –

(1)      That the Leader and officers be thanked for attending to present the report to the Committee.

(2)      That the engagement with scrutiny and ward councillors at an early stage of the process be welcomed.

(3)      That it be noted that an independent options appraisal and feasibility study for the provision of a new sport and leisure facility for Dewsbury are to be progressed and it be requested that regular updates be brought to the Committee, to include the work being proposed, alongside partners, to supplement existing provision to support people across North Kirklees to be more active.

(4)      That it be recommended that a clear timeline be established, as a priority, to ensure that all interested parties are kept informed.

(5)      That it be recommended that the Committee’s feedback be considered in the commissioning process for the options appraisal.

(6)      That the Committee’s comments in relation to the potential outreach work be considered in the further development of these proposals.