Agenda item

To consider a report of he Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on a request for Scrutiny of the Withdrawal of Remaining Creche Provision at Leisure Centres.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on a request for Scrutiny of the Withdrawal of Remaining Creche Provision at Leisure Centres.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• A request for scrutiny received from Councillor M Lobley and Councillor J Matthews – Letter dated 18^th October 2010
• Delegated Decision Notification – Withdrawal of remaining creche provision at leisure centres dated 11^th October 2010
• Report of Head of Sport and Active Recreation – Withdrawal of remaining crèche provision at leisure centres

The following representatives were in attendance:-

Councillor M Lobley, Roundhay Ward Member

Councillor A Olilvie, Executive Member with a portfolio

responsibility for leisure

Richard Mond, Chief Recreation Officer, City Development

Ian Waller, Sports Operation Manager, City Development

Prior to considering the request for scrutiny, the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser outlined the Constitutional arrangements and sought the approval of the Board that the request for scrutiny was not subject to call-in as it was not a key or major decision.

The Board accepted that this request was not subject to call-in.

The Chair invited the above attendees to provide relevant background information and to highlight key issues in relation to the request for scrutiny and Board Members sought clarification on the points raised.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• the background to Councillor Lobley’s request for Scrutiny concerning the closure of crèche provision in leisure centres
• details of how many members of the community were consulted  regarding the closure of the remaining crèche provision in leisure centres
• a view that the financial case put forward for closure of the remaining crèche provision at leisure centres was weak and did not include other income generated in the centre by users of the crèche facilities
• an outline by the Executive Board Member of the rationale behind the decision to close the remaining crèche provision in the context of the Government Spending Review and his meetings with users and members of the early years team
• discussed the net direct cost of providing this service in 2009/10 which equates to a subsidy £10.22 per visit 
• clarification as to whether the department had undertaken any promotional initiatives to try and address falling numbers using the crèche provision in these centres
• clarification of the user figures identified within the report
• reference to the wider public health agenda and the need for the department to do more in promoting this agenda at leisure centres
• clarification of the Bodyline Service, with particular reference to deprived areas
• clarification of the previous numbers/areas which had been subject to crèche closures
• concern expressed about the lack of reference to income projections within the report and the failure to identify or offer any alternative models that could be introduced that retains crèche provision for customers visiting the Council’s leisure centres whilst reducing costs
• clarification of the role of Children’s Centres/Manager’s and whether or not they had been involved in the consultation process

The Chair then allowed Councillor Lobley to sum up prior to making a  decision on the request for scrutiny.

In the circumstances, the Executive Board Member agreed to work with the Scrutiny Board and maintain the current crèche provision in the leisure centres until at least the next Scrutiny Board (City Development) meeting on 7^th December 2010.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the request for scrutiny from Councillor M Lobley and Councillor J Matthews for a Scrutiny Inquiry into the decision by the Council to close six crèches in Leisure Centres across Leeds be deferred.

c)  That the Acting Director of City Development be asked to undertake a review of this issue to identify ways that would offer alternative models for providing creche facilities at the Council’s leisure centres and submit a further report to this Board at its meeting on 7^th December 2010.

d)  That  in the interim period, the Acting Director of City Development be asked to keep open the six crèche facilities in Leisure Centres across Leeds pending the outcome of this review.