Strategy for meeting the physical activity needs of Stockport people through leisure facility provision
Consultation Draft August 2011
1. THE IMPACT OF SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ...... 3
2. ADDRESSING INEQUALITIES ...... 5
3. COMMUNITY SPORT DEVELOPMENT ...... 8
4. PURPOSE OF THIS STRATEGY ...... 9
5. LEISURE PROVISION IN STOCKPORT ...... 10
6. ACCESSIBILITY AND DISTRIBUTION ...... 11
7. THE COUNCIL LEISURE PORTFOLIO ...... 13
8. PROPOSED FINANCIAL MODEL TO SUPPORT THE STRATEGY ...... 20
9. PROPOSALS...... 21
Appendices ...... 22
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1. THE IMPACT OF SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Sport and physical activity contributes significantly to achieving policy objectives as diverse as community cohesion, regeneration, community safety and crime reduction, education and lifelong learning and health improvement.
Community Cohesion Sport and physical activity bring people together, help break down social and cultural barriers, create a sense of belonging and foster pride. Participation tackles isolation whilst improving self-esteem, confidence and socialisation.
Stockport has many voluntary clubs offering a variety of sporting opportunities. These are supported by development groups, clubs, the Stockport Sports Trust (the Trust), the School Sports Partnership and the County Sports Partnership. The development groups include coach education, schools delivery and competitions, club development and funding. Stockport has development groups for Cricket, Hockey, Lacrosse, Athletics, Basketball, and Bowls. As part of the Clubmark Accreditation process, Sports Clubs wishing to apply for this quality assurance mark must demonstrate they possess a Club Development Plan. These Plans shape the future direction of the Club and sport. A common action within these plans is the Club’s aspiration (if not already doing so) to work proactively within their communities to target under-represented groups. This may include increasing the opportunities for women to engage in Rugby and Cricket or disabled athletes to access specific sessions.
Those sports without a development group access support through ‘Sport Stockport’. This is an independent, voluntary organisation that provides advice on funding and application processes, club accreditation, coaching courses, volunteering opportunities, CRB advice and the annual Stockport Sports Awards.
Regeneration The development of sports facilities enhances the image of an area and improves the built environment. It brings inward investment in wealth generating sectors including tourism, equipment and fashion based business, retail, spectator events, sports and facility services and provides employment.
The potential of Stockport is well recognised. This is reflected by David Lloyd Fitness in Cheadle, the investment by South Manchester Sports Club in Heald Green, the activity of Cheadle Village Hotel in preparation for national teams and visitors being based in Stockport and Greater Manchester for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and potentially the Rugby League World Cup in 2013. The location of Adidas in Hazel Grove, the investment by Woodley Sports Ltd in a new leisure facility opening in 2012, plus the regeneration aspirations of Stockport County and Sale Sharks strengthen this further.
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The Council invests in the creation of new facilities having now regenerated the Remploy Factory site in Reddish in 2010. This provides a high class indoor sports and physical activity offer on under-utilised land situated within a priority area. The £2M project brought employment opportunities before, during and after its construction, creating approximately 20 FTE jobs, as well as many voluntary opportunities.
Community Safety and Crime Reduction Sport helps to reduce crime rates and anti-social behaviour and disorder, especially in young people. Early involvement can prevent crime and stop re- offending.
The Trust provides activities which focus on priority areas as well as specific targeting at appropriate times and in relevant settings. They encourage young people known to the Criminal Justice System to take up activities which can lead to accreditation, placements and employment. Initiatives reduce re- offending and improve anti-social behaviour by working with the Community Safety Unit.
The Safer Stockport Partnership recognises the potential of sport and physical activity’s diversionary effect on young people at risk of offending and first time offenders as well as its rehabilitating potential with more entrenched offending behaviours.
The needs of offenders mean that to reduce re-offending rates, investment must be made to improvements in health and well-being. This includes establishing in the Integrated Offender Management Unit, Spotlight, an initiative to deliver a healthy lifestyles surgery to adult offenders. Included in the offer is referral to physical activity and sports provision.
Educational Attainment and Lifelong Learning There is growing evidence to show that involvement in sport and physical activity improves educational attainment, especially in young people. Sport gives young and older people the chance to develop new skills and the confidence and motivation to gain qualifications leading to employment and career development.
In Stockport, young people are increasingly enthusiastic participants in sport and associated activity with the percentage of pupils engaged in regular competition increasing from 14% (2004) to 22% (2010).
In addition to the impact of School Sport Partnerships, secondary schools with a specialism in physical education and sport have been the fastest improving group of schools for educational achievement.
Health Improvement Physical activity and sport improves overall health. Physical benefits include tackling obesity, lowering risks of heart disease, stroke and hypertension, managing diabetes, preventing cancer, reducing osteoporosis and falls in
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older adults and minimising arthritis. Documented mental health benefits include reduced stress and anxiety.
The Stockport Joint Strategic Needs Assessment confirmed that life expectancy in Stockport is in line with the national average, 77.1 years for men and 81.8 years for women. Rates of obesity, smoking and early death from cancer and circulatory disease are lower than the Northwest average.
This is not the case in Stockport's most deprived neighbourhoods. The difference in life expectancy for a man living in Bramhall compared to Brinnington and Central is 12 years. The Stockport Health Survey (2009) showed poorer mental health in priority areas, and identified a correlation between mental health, physical health and affluence.
2. ADDRESSING INEQUALITIES
Stockport strives to ensure that all residents are helped to reach their potential and to enjoy positive life opportunities.
The Government Equalities Office issued new guidance on the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) at end of April 2011. This best practice advises that compliance with the PSED involves consciously thinking about the three aims of the duty as an integral part of the decision making process and to record this consideration.
The aim of the general equality duty is to integrate consideration of the advancement of equality into the day-to-day business of public authorities. In summary, those subject to the equality duty must, in the exercise of their functions, have due regard to the need to:
1. Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act. 2. Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a characteristic and those who don’t. 3. Foster good relations between people who share a characteristic and those who don’t.
As a key provider acting on behalf of the Council, Stockport Sports Trust (The Trust) proactively addresses all three aspects. For example, the potential for discrimination of people with disabilities is addressed through provisions such as hoists within pools, lifts, stair ramps, automatic doors, dual height receptions and adapted toilets.
The Trust recognise that many people may feel isolated or disengaged from sport and physical activity for a number of reasons, which may include motives such as cultural and religious beliefs, the presence of a chronic medical condition or disability or the feeling of being in a minority.
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In order to advance equality of opportunity across the service, throughout a number of facilities and within various community settings, the Trust works proactively to offer a number of targeted services to support protected or under-represented groups. A range of suitable and targeted sessions are offered which encourage uptake of sport and physical activity by all, some examples of which are demonstrated below:
The needs of different age groups are self-evidently different and the Trust recognise this by offering a range of activities to suit anyone from across the whole life course.
Young people are very well catered for through the Sports Development function of the Trust. For example a range of community sessions are focused in priority areas within the borough. In addition school holiday multi-sports camps are offered across a number of settings and locations in the borough and sports specific sessions regularly take place within facilities, including gymnastics, football, karate and martial arts. The Trust also encourages sports club bookings which target young people.
For the even younger population, the Trust encourages a Mini Movers scheme, which is essentially a physically literacy development programme for toddlers and pre-school children.
Adults can benefit from swimming lessons, classes, adult lanes, Adults to music, adults only and club bookings.
The Trust recognises the benefit that engagement in regular physical activity can have against the ageing process and offer a number of sessions that particularly target this group of the population. These include tea dances, Over 50’s swim and purpose-led classes and clubs. The Physical Activity Referral in Stockport (PARiS) scheme is one of the longest running GP Exercise Referral Schemes in England and one of only a handful which have been accredited against the National Quality Assurance Framework for Exercise Referral Systems. It has received national recognition and was presented at the 2009 Annual British Heart Foundation Conference as an example of best practice. The scheme invites medical professionals to ‘refer’ patients with one of up to 16 different chronic medical conditions to an Exercise Referral Specialist within the Trust team who then advises and monitors them through a programme of appropriate physical activity. Whilst it has not been exclusively designed for targeting older people, there is an understanding that as people age they may be less likely to partake in regular physical activity and more susceptible to chronic medical conditions and this service accommodates a higher proportion of older people.
The Trust recognises that some women may feel uncomfortable about taking part in physical activity within a mixed environment and that if a women-only session wasn’t available, they would choose not to exercise. As such the Trust promote and offer targeted Ladies only swim sessions across the borough.
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The importance to health of remaining physically active before, during and after pregnancy is well understood by the Trust. A number of targeted sessions are provided for women who are looking to engage in a safe physical activity environment before and after pregnancy. They include Aqua Natal, purpose designed Yoga sessions for pregnant women and new mums and Baby Ballet sessions.
The creation of a safe family fitness environment is important to the Trust to demonstrate commitment to ensuring a conducive environment which would achieve this. The Trust launched the All Together Active (A2A) scheme. A2A is a support programme for families which include 7-11 year olds who are overweight. It offers a tailored support programme for families with weight issues that has been developed to offer practical tips that help to make changes that are necessary to give participating families a healthier future.
This is currently running across a number of leisure centres in Stockport, offering weekly sport and physical activity opportunities balanced with food and nutrition workshops and a variety of behavioural and lifestyle changes which are delivered to families in a confidential environment.
The Trust understands the benefits which regular physical activity offers not only to general health but to the ability to better manage certain disabilities. It is also understood that it can be more challenging to engage this group of the population without offering some form of specialist provision. The Trust currently offers a range of swim sessions for people across the borough with sensory impairment. These are free of charge and more heavily staffed with lifeguards to offer additional support.
Arnie’s Gym is a successful disabled weightlifting gym situated within Target Life Lapwing. The facility was established after the Trust and a local club decided to work collaboratively to improve the services available to disabled athletes. Regular users of Arnie’s include a 4 time Paralympian and two British Champions.
The Trust, from the examples above, clearly offers a range of targeted sport and physical activity sessions and aim to offer more. As data collection methods regarding users improve, so will the activity offer be strengthened and increasingly reflective of need.
Some residents experience inequality and deprivation and a key aim of this strategy is to underpin the Better Life Chances Strategy by addressing issues of health and well-being in these communities.
The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) identifies geographical communities in which outcomes are poor assessing material deprivation and lack of resources under seven headings:
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Income deprivation Employment deprivation Health deprivation and disability Education, skills and training deprivation Barriers to housing and housing services Living environment deprivation Crime
The Stockport Partnership Regeneration and Renewal Framework utilises these criteria to map specific priority areas using IMD findings (Appendix A).
The Stockport Partnership has agreed a Better Life Chances Strategy, which has the stated aim “To improve the quality of life in priority neighbourhoods in Stockport through partnership working and targeting resources”.
The objectives are: Safer places to live Stronger local communities where people feel they can improve their area Improved outcomes for children and young people Good quality local environment Quality housing and housing services Improved economic well-being for local people Better health and mental well-being for local people Improved quality of life for older people A positive image of the area and community
The Stockport Partnership has established the Place Board which comprises senior representatives from major organisations and services of the Council. Members of the Place Board use their experience and ability to direct resources, and to understand and address the causes of deprivation in Priority 1 areas.
Neighbourhood Management Boards, reporting to the Place Board, have been established in Brinnington, Lancashire Hill with Heaton Norris & Town Centre, Adswood & Bridgehall and Offerton.
The Leisure Strategy must take account of needs in designated priority areas and sport and physical activity providers engage with the Neighbourhood Management Boards to support and contribute to the improvement action plans.
3. COMMUNITY SPORT DEVELOPMENT
It is widely accepted that physical activity and sport can have a significant role in improving the quality of life for people across all age ranges. Participation rates in sport for adults in Stockport, as measured through the Active People’s
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Survey, demonstrate there has been no significant change over the last three years. There is therefore a need to focus on improving this position.
As demonstrated, sport and physical activity makes a significant contribution towards achieving a wide range of policy objectives and actions especially in areas such as social inclusion, regeneration, community safety, crime reduction, lifelong learning and health improvement. This is recognised in the Council Plan, where high level intent is expressed as:
We will promote healthier lifestyles by increased physical activity We will work towards enabling all residents to achieve their full potential through sport and physical activity
The Trust has recently developed its Community Partnership Plan (CPP). The plan was developed through extensive consultation and recognises how physical activity and sport can complement, enhance and strengthen partners’ strategies and plans. The outcomes articulated in the plan will be delivered through strong partnership working.
4. PURPOSE OF THIS STRATEGY
The Sports Trust, in partnership with the Council, continues to deliver positive outcomes from sport and leisure programmes across the borough. However there are a number of key challenges:
Pressures resulting from ending of contract with SERCO for management of Grand Central Pool (GCP). The age, quality and distribution of some of the leisure centre building stock is no longer fit for purpose. To further understand this issue a condition survey of all centres has been undertaken, together with an assessment of the optimum distribution of facilities. The need to provide capital resources to address necessary maintenance and investment, including new facilities. Associated with provision of Capital resources, the possible need to review contractual and financial arrangements between the Council and Trust. The need to achieve savings on the Council’s deficit grant funding to the Trust in line with the Council’s overall efficiency programme.
In the light of these factors, a strategic review of leisure facility provision has been carried out to inform the Council of the best way towards, not only offering residents the highest quality leisure provision, but adopting a model that would create an appropriately distributed and sustainable portfolio into the foreseeable future.
The review included an assessment of need for geographical distribution of facilities according to type, demand and need analysis.
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5. LEISURE PROVISION IN STOCKPORT
Current leisure provision across the borough through the Trust, schools and the private sector has been mapped against the various offers of swimming pools (Appendix B), sports halls (Appendix C) and gyms (Appendix D). A composite map is also provided (Appendix E).
The Council has a significant role in enabling access to physical activity opportunities through the Schools Partnerships, the provision and maintenance of outdoor pitches and associated facilities and parks and green space. The primary delivery mechanism however is through the Stockport Sports Trust.
The Trust was established in October 2001. It is a company limited by guarantee and is a non-profit distributing organisation with charitable status. It is wholly independent and is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from the Community and including two Council Members. Its Memorandum of Association can be summarised as follows:
“To provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and leisure time occupation for the general public in or in connection with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and its neighbourhood in the interests of social welfare.
The Trust delivers against the following specific outcomes:
Increased number of school aged children and young people participating in physical activity and sport with focus on priority geographical areas Increased numbers of adults participating in sport and physical activity in priority geographical areas A reduction in health inequalities due to targeted interventions through physical activity and sport World class performance in sporting activity Stockport residents accessing high quality sports facilities A thriving voluntary sector sports infrastructure Physical activity and sport positively impacting upon criminal activity and anti-social behaviour Improvement in employability and lifelong learning Local legacy from London 2012
The Trust manages 16 facilities plus outreach activity in community venues. Of the 16, 14 are Council owned and leased to Stockport Sports Trust until 2022 and are made up of seven dual use facilities in high schools and seven standalone sites. Grand Central Pools are also leased to the Trust until 2022 but the venue is currently managed by Serco under contract until the end of
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September 2011. The remaining two are facilities belonging to Cheadle and Marple College. In addition the Trust are to manage the new facility in Woodley, privately developed by Woodley Sports Ltd, when it becomes available in 2012.
Uptake of the facilities is varied across the borough but undoubtedly the total impact is significant. Precise data capture is difficult as most centres lack the necessary technology and figures do not accurately reflect individual uses where group bookings are made, but during 2009-10 a minimum of 1.2 million uses have been recorded. (See appendix G for more detail).
Because the majority of the facilities were developed in the 1960’s and 1970’s many are no longer fit for purpose and in need of significant capital investment to address the physical infrastructure and community needs. A number of facilities clearly fail to provide modern high quality environments and as a consequence do not meet customer quality standards.
Although refurbishment of some buildings has been undertaken there remains pressure for other work, particularly with regard to significant items e.g. roofs, which are typically in poor and failing condition. Norfolk Property Services (NPS) has recently undertaken a full condition survey of Council sport and leisure facilities and has identified an investment requirement over the next five years of £6.8 million increasing to £8.5 million over ten years (see Appendix H for greater detail).
In addition capital investment is required to maintain equipment to match public expectations of quality and maintain the Trust’s market position.
A substantial investment is therefore required to bring the buildings up to a satisfactory level of repair and compliance with customer expectation.
6. ACCESSIBILITY AND DISTRIBUTION
The geographical distribution of facilities must maximise opportunity for residents and take account of affordability and accessibility. With the exception of the new centre at Houldsworth Mill, Reddish, the distribution of leisure facilities is, however, more historical accident than deliberate design and to an extent this places limitations on the ability of the Trust to deliver the outcomes described in Section 5 above. The Council believes that further changes to its leisure offer are necessary to achieve the overall outcomes in a sustained way. This strategy aims to address this situation and bring forward recommendations together with the financial base for delivering against these outcomes.
Postcode data for users of gyms and wet leisure facilities managed by the Trust (excluding Grand Central Pools for which data is unavailable) has been mapped to reveal the primary catchment area of each centre. There is a higher density of use from the community surrounding each centre but the boundaries of each catchment extend significantly beyond their locality.
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Three centres - Target Fitness+ Cheadle (Appendix I), Target Fitness+ Hazel Grove (Appendix J) and Target Fitness+ Romiley (Appendix K), which best provide the level of quality expected by residents, demonstrate the highest levels of demand and use. These, along with Target Fitness+ Houldsworth Village, have a combined catchment covering the entire borough with a high degree of overlap between them.
This pattern indicates that local provision is less of a consideration for users than might be thought, particularly for group, team and club activity. The needs fulfilled by the other centres add capacity to overall provision and provide access to physical activity for residents of some priority areas.
It is essential to take full account within the strategy of the impact on groups protected by Equality legislation and to extend this to protecting the ability of residents experiencing inequalities in health and income to access quality affordable provision.
The postcode mapping appears to show that residents in priority areas are also able and willing to travel outside of their home communities to access facilities. However given the low levels of car ownership and household income it could be that this picture was mostly created by the activity of residents with access to private transport. To assess the real opportunity for accessing facilities outside of priority areas the public transport routes to the nearest wet, dry and fitness centres were appraised from the perspectives of both cost and time. Particular attention was given to residents of Adswood and Bridgehall since there is currently no centre of any category in this area, and to town centre residents in terms of access to sports halls.
In addition to assessing the appropriateness of the geographical spread of facilities run by the Trust (including the new development at Woodley) other facilities in the private and schools sectors have been included where they provide similar cost and quality facilities. This increases the availability of fitness suites particularly in the west of the borough and adds a further number of sports halls, greatly increasing capacity across the borough.
For residents of all priority areas public transport to the Town Centre is fast and affordable through concessions, suggesting that the provision of wet leisure and the fitness suite at Grand Central Pools is appropriate to serve the needs of residents without access to private transport, indeed it provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to all residents. For residents in priority areas in the vicinity of Romiley, Hazel Grove and Cheadle, travel by public transport to these centres provides an alternative choice though still, for many, travel into the centre of Stockport remains the most straightforward and reliable route.
There is limited dry leisure provision in the Town Centre and this lack of accessibility for residents in the Central and Adswood & Bridgehall priority areas, together with high demand for fitness suites in the most accessible
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alternative facilities (Cheadle, Hazel Grove and Grand Central) points to a need for enhanced provision of dry leisure for these communities.
To meet current and future needs for these communities the Council proposes to seek out opportunities to secure new dry leisure provision in a locality central to the area and easily accessible by public transport.
Brinnington is served by limited provision at Target Life Lapwing. Though Grand Central is easily accessible by public transport from Brinnington there is unlikely to be sufficient dry leisure capacity for the additional use necessary by Brinnington residents if their health needs are to be met. As with the priority communities of the Central, Adswood & Bridgehall areas, Offerton is similarly disadvantaged in respect of access to fitness suite facilities.
To meet the current and future needs of these communities the Council proposes to provide new dry leisure facilities with more comprehensive offers in both Brinnington and Offerton.
In the north of the borough new provision has already been made at Target Fitness+ Houldsworth Village, Reddish. This together with the school facilities in the area is believed by the Council to provide sufficiently for the dry leisure needs of the communities served and has strengthened the case for proposing the closure of the Peel Moat facility.
In summary the location of existing dry leisure facilities, whilst meeting the needs of the majority of residents, requires rationalising and enhancing to provide facilities with the capacity to respond to planned increases in demand, especially in priority communities.
7. THE COUNCIL LEISURE PORTFOLIO
The following section provides a summary statement of fitness for purpose, including suitability of location, for each of the council owned facilities managed by the Trust. A list of sites and the main facilities provided is given in Appendix F.
Grand Central Pools
A prime facility in the Town Centre, a Priority 1 area, in high demand and with easy access for a large proportion of the borough’s residents. Offering two swimming pools (one an Olympic size 50m pool) and a fitness suite. GCP is also a designated training facility for international swimming teams.
Management is currently with Serco, and will transfer in September 2011, which will enable a better understanding of the demand levels and financial operation and allow for important capital investment in the facility by the Council and Trust. The facility requires this capital investment both to deal with updating to elements of plant and kit and to enhance the offer to
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residents to better meet demand and make sufficient provision to meet the needs of the local community which arise from inequalities experienced.
The Council and Trust propose investment in the centre, in the region of £1M, to deal with infrastructure needs and to extend and modernise the fitness suite and to create exercise/ dance studios within the existing footprint of the facility.
Target Fitness Avondale
A community leisure facility, adjacent to Stockport Academy and primarily serving the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath catchments including an area of deprivation. Though there is some use from the communities of Adswood and Bridgehall the location is not suitable to provide for needs in these areas since public transport access to Avondale is poor for those residents.
The facility comprises a 25m swimming pool, sports hall, studio hall, 24 station fitness suite and on-site parking.
There are approximately 4,300 registered users, of which approximately 600 are registered as Leisure Key holders. In 2010/11 a total of 71,333 visits were made. A number of borough wide clubs use Avondale regularly.
The sports hall and gym facilities are well used and are an important contribution to the leisure offer in a relatively deprived area of the borough. The Trust is currently in negotiation with the Academy with regard to extending the dry leisure offer at Avondale.
The pool is available for use for 84 hours each week. Use is split almost evenly between public swimming and all club and lesson use, however it is important to note that the public swimming figure is significantly lower compared to that of the remaining pools within the borough.
Target Fitness Avondale requires significant capital investment. A recent building condition survey identified a number of infrastructure challenges. The power and lighting wiring system, ventilation systems, fire alarms and mechanical plant system are approximately 40 years old and in need of replacement. The roof has been identified as needing major works within the next 5 years being in poor condition and suffering with water penetration internally. Again, the internal elements such as the floor finishes, doors and suspended ceilings are dated and also generally in poor condition.
The maintenance backlog for the site is currently around £923,170.
Target Fitness Peel Moat
Dual use facility shared with Stockport College. The facility comprises a sports hall, studio hall, 32 station fitness suite, squash courts and on-site parking. The nearest alternative provision is made at Target Life Priestnall and Target Fitness+ Houldsworth Village.
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Following the opening of Target Fitness+ Houldsworth Village in November 2010 there has been a reduction of 45% in the membership base of which fewer than 200 members are registered as Leisure Key. In 2010/11 a total of 40,843 visits were recorded. This level of use is significantly below all comparable facilities.
A number of borough wide clubs use Peel Moat regularly including groups from the Physical Activity Referral in Stockport (PARiS) scheme, the Heart Club, MEND, All Together Active and a number of 5-a-side football and badminton clubs that hire the sports hall on a weekly basis. Given the none local nature of most of these users and capacity elsewhere in the overall Trust provision it is believed possible to offer suitable alternative accommodation for these uses.
The building condition survey identified issues with the main services such as the heating & ventilation systems which are in urgent need of modernisation. A full rewire is required incorporating renewal of the fire alarm and emergency lighting. The electrical lighting and power systems are generally past their life expectancy and need to be replaced. The roof has been identified as needing major replacement works within the next 5 years being in a poor condition with evidence of water penetration internally and needs to be considered for replacement.
The capital maintenance cost for the site is estimated at around £664,720.
Peel Moat shares heating and other utilities equipment with the adjacent college centre, due to be closed in summer 2011. As a consequence there is a necessary additional cost, estimated at approximately £60,000, to re- provide these essential services.
Closure of the college campus will lead to further reduction in activity in the leisure centre since college staff and students are currently included amongst its members. The existing transfer of members to the Houldsworth facility has increased the operating deficit in the centre and the further loss of users following closure of the college will worsen this position. This together with the capital investment requirement describes the facility in declining demand with no prospect of recovery and suggests it to be surplus to requirement.
Equalities impact
Data analysis including IMD profiling, use by type, definition of catchments and assessment of the proposed changes have been carried out to ensure that there is no unreasonable impact upon the communities served.
The data available to understand the actual users is limited to details for those people who have taken out a membership. It is intended to enhance understanding further by obtaining supplementary data during the public consultation. This will enable better assessment of the equality impacts of current proposals.
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Target Life Lapwing
This is a remote facility located in a Priority 1 area with significant capital requirement of £1,336,850. The facility is shared with Castle Hill School and comprises a sports hall and small fitness suite.
The total visits recorded in 2010/11 were 49,378.
Enhanced provision in the area is critical to addressing high levels of inequality. A potential alternative site has been identified in the Brinnington Regeneration Masterplan.
The revenue outturn of any new provision is likely to remain in deficit due to the primary catchment area and uptake of Leisure Key but is forecast to improve with the potential to draw in new users to a high class facility from outside of the current catchment.
The Council proposes to develop the new facility with subsequent withdrawal of the trust from the Lapwing site.
Target Life Dialstone
A recreation facility comprising of a multi-use sports hall with on-site parking located in Offerton, a Priority area. The facility requires £430,860 capital investment.
The total visits recorded in 2010/11 were 47,040.
Improving provision in Offerton is critical in addressing local inequalities including extending the offer to include local access to fitness facilities.
A regeneration opportunity on the footprint is pending and the Council proposes utilisation of any capital receipt gained to re-provide an enhanced facility on an adjacent site. The Council has recently entered into a Development Agreement and the partners are currently consulting on proposals which include provision of two outdoor 3G pitches, a four badminton court sized sports hall and a fitness suite.
Target Fitness+ Cheadle
A premier facility benefiting from £400,000 of improvement over the last four years. It comprises a 25m swimming pool, baby and toddler pool, fitness suite, studio and on-site parking. It primarily serves the catchments of Cheadle and Gatley, Cheadle Hulme, Edgeley and Cheadle Heath and Heald Green including a wet facility for this part of the borough.
The Centre operates at an annual surplus and requires further capital investment.
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The Council proposes further investment vital to address the wear and tear arising from high levels of use and to meet the continuing increase in demand for the facility.
The total number of visits recorded in 2010/11 were 211,631.
Target Fitness+ Hazel Grove
A premier facility benefiting from investment in excess of £1.5m and demonstrating good occupancy levels. Primarily serving the catchments of Bramhall, Stepping Hill, Hazel Grove, Offerton and the Town Centre the site provides a wet facility for the south of the borough. It includes an extensive fitness suite, 25m swimming pool, baby and toddler pool, studio and on-site parking.
The total number of visits recorded in 2010/11 were 227,837.
The Centre operates at an annual surplus and requires further capital investment.
The Council proposes further investment vital to address the wear and tear arising from high levels of use and to meet the continuing increase in demand for the facility.
Target Fitness+ Romiley
A premier facility benefiting from investment in excess of £300,000 and demonstrating good occupancy levels. Serving the catchments of North Marple, Bredbury, Romiley, Woodley and the Town Centre the site provides a wet facility for the north of the borough. It is comprised an extensive fitness suite, swimming pool, studio and on-site parking.
The total number of visits recorded in 2010/11 were 194,999.
The Centre operates at an annual surplus and requires further capital investment.
The Council proposes further investment vital to address the wear and tear arising from high levels of use and to meet the continuing increase in demand for the facility.
Target Fitness Marple
This facility comprises of a pool and small fitness facility and serves the South East area of the borough i.e. the catchments of Marple North and Marple South and High Lane. The facility is close to Target Life Marple 6th Form College which has a different and complementary leisure offer through a sports hall and further fitness suite.
The total number of visits recorded in 2010/11 were 103,386.
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Target Fitness Marple requires capital investment of £362,380 but operates at an annual deficit, which is to be expected since it is virtually a stand alone pool and overheads are high on swimming facilities.
The next nearest swimming pool inside the borough is approximately 3 miles away at Target Fitness+ Romiley, which lies to the north west of TF Marple. There is no swimming provision to the east side of the facility within the borough (including both north and south) and therefore this swimming pool provides the only option for those living on that side. This need for retention is strengthened further by the fact that public transport links are sparser than those available in other areas of Stockport.
Given that it provides the wet facility in this part of the borough the Council proposes investment in the centre.
Target Fitness+ Houldsworth Village
New dry facility located in a Priority 2 area opened in November 2010 following £2m investment by the Council. The centre is in high demand including former users of the Peel Moat facility. It includes 5 x 7-a-side indoor 3G pitches, a state-of-the-art fitness suite, purpose built spinning studio and a separate studio as well as a consultation and physio room.
Based on the number of visits recorded between November 2010 and April 2011 the estimated annual visits are in the region of 120,000.
Dual Use Sites
All of the following sites require capital investment and operate at small levels of annual deficit. However they do contribute to the overall leisure offer across the borough mostly by providing sports hall capacity. In the main, continuance of their operation through a single organisation, the Trust, will bring both economies of scale and provide easier opportunities for groups wishing to book such facilities.
Given the nature of the relationship between schools and the Council this does not preclude individual schools determining that they wish to terminate the management agreement, as with Kingsway. Neither does it preclude new schools entering into management agreements with the Trust, as with the current discussions re management of the Academy facilities, provided that this doesn’t have the potential to increase the level of overall operating deficit for the Trust. In such an instance the strategic value of taking on the site would need to be considered by the Trust and Council jointly.
Neither is precluded a decision by the Council and Trust to withdraw from the management arrangement with a particular school in the event of a better strategic alternative being identified.
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Target Life Kingsway
This facility, which is comprised of a sports hall and changing rooms, was closed to the public in Summer 2010 because of building issues and users found satisfactory alternatives with no problems reported. The school has chosen to terminate the management agreement with the Trust.
Target Life Werneth
This facility, which is comprised of a sports hall and changing rooms and is located in Werneth High School, serves the Bredbury, Woodley and Romiley catchments.
A new site, opening in the catchment area in 2012, developed by Woodley Sports and to be run by the Trust, will provide a much improved offer including high quality all weather outdoor pitches and fitness facilities. Werneth requires capital investment of £429,590. The facility generated 37,401 visits in 2010/11.
Target Life Bramhall
Located in Bramhall High School this facility primarily serves the catchments of Bramhall North and Bramhall South. The facility requires capital investment of £495,450 and includes a sports hall, squash courts and changing rooms. There were 75,444 visits to the facility in 2010/11.
Target Life Cheadle Hulme
This facility is located in Cheadle Hulme High School and serves the catchments of Cheadle Hulme South, Bramhall North and Bramhall South. The facility requires capital investment of £532,850 and includes a sports hall, squash courts and changing rooms. There were 29,187 visits in 2010/11.
Target Life Hazel Grove
This facility is located in Hazel Grove High School and serves the catchments of Stepping Hill, Hazel Grove and Bramhall North. In nearby proximity to Target Fitness+ Hazel Grove and Target Life Bramhall, It has benefited from a recent investment in excess of £300,000. The facility requires further capital investment of £661,040 and is comprised a sports hall, gymnasium hall, Heroes Gym and changing rooms. There were 80,915 visits in 2010/11.
Target Life Priestnall
Located in Priestnall High School and serving the catchments of Heatons North and Heatons South.
The facility requires capital investment of £734,810 and includes a sports hall, fitness suite, squash courts and changing rooms. The footprint of land offers
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the development opportunity for additional facilities that could serve the public throughout the school day. There were 38,904 visits in 2010/11.
8. PROPOSED FINANCIAL MODEL TO SUPPORT THE STRATEGY
The creation of a charitable Sports Trust led to a reduction on the Council’s NNDR liability of £500k per annum. Of this £400,000 per annum has been ring-fenced to support capital investment in leisure centres until March 2012. This has been through the form of unsupported borrowing in the capital programme.
The Comprehensive Spending Review has had significant implications for the Council’s overall capital programme. This is both through the availability of revenue resource to pay for unsupported borrowing and the level of capital funding available from other sources such as government grants. Capital expenditure is expected to fall by approximately 30% by 2014/15. As a result of this a financial model which reduces the leisure portfolio’s reliance on council unsupported borrowing to invest in its centres is ever more important.
In summary a model has been developed which has taken into account the following:
A prudent forecasted improvement in surpluses or deficits on current activity.
An expected efficiency improvement in costs incurred by the Trust.
Creation of a revenue funding stream to cover the borrowing costs of the investment requirements described.
Creation of a revenue funding stream to cover the borrowing costs and / or capital funds associated with new developments described.
The financial impact of the proposed closure described.
The Trust’s operating revenue in respect of the Council facilities is made up of approximately 80% generated through fees and sales income and 20% contribution from the Council.
The revenue contribution from the Council is in two forms. Firstly an annual “deficit funding” grant which recognises that the Trust needs financial support over and above earned income to offset the impact of the Council’s ongoing commitment to ensuring access to leisure for residents with low income or physical impairment, through the Leisure Key scheme as well as to support borrowing to maintain the physical quality of the infrastructure. The second element is an annual grant contributing to Sports Development.
The success of the trust as a leisure provider of choice is reflected in its overall operating position which in turn enables the Council to direct some of
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its current grant funding to the Trust towards the creation of the new revenue streams to support the borrowing requirement described above.
In summary the financial model supports delivery of all the recommendations of the strategy below.
9. PROPOSALS
The following actions are proposed:
Identify and secure the opportunity for new provision in a location suitable to meet the leisure needs of the Town Centre, Adswood, Bridgehall and Edgeley communities.
Re-provision of a sports hall and fitness suite in a more accessible location in Brinnington with subsequent closure of Target Life Lapwing.
Replace current Offerton provision in the Dialstone Centre with enhanced provision of a sports hall and fitness suite as part of the proposed development opportunity.
Close Target Fitness Peel Moat and continue to provide high quality facilities at Target Fitness+, Houldsworth Village and Target Life Priestnall.
Invest in all other Council owned leisure facilities managed by the Sports Trust.
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Appendices
A. Priority Area map B. Swimming Pool provision map C. Sports Hall provision map D. Gym provision map E. Composite Leisure Offer map F. Facility Table G. Leisure Centre Visits H. NPS building condition report summary I. Target Fitness+ Cheadle user distribution map J. Target Fitness+ Hazel Grove user distribution map K. Target Fitness+ Romiley user distribution map
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Appendix A. Priority Area map
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Appendix B. Swimming Pool provision map
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Appendix C. Sports Hall provision map
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Appendix D. Gym provision map
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Appendix E. Composite Leisure Offer Map
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Appendix F. Facility Table
Dual Use Swimming Sports Gym Studio Squash Parking Located in or Pool Hall courts Adjacent to a Priority Area Target Fitness + Cheadle Target Fitness + Hazel Grove Target Fitness + Romiley Target Fitness+ Houldsworth Target Fitness Avondale Target Fitness Marple Target Fitness Peel Moat Target Life Bramhall Target Life Cheadle Hulme Target Life Dialstone Target Life Hazel Grove Target Life Lapwing Target Life Priestnall Target Life Werneth Grand Central Pools
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Appendix G. Leisure Centre Visits: April 2010 – April 2011 (12 months)
Dry Visits Wet Visits Total Notes Visits Target Fitness Avondale 42257 35,858 71,333 Target Fitness Marple 18470 84,916 103,386 Target Fitness Peel Moat 40843 0 40,843 Target Fitness+ Cheadle 41216 170,415 211,631 Target Fitness+ Hazel Grove 112820 115,017 227,837 Target Fitness+ Houldsworth 53228 0 53228 Opened 1st Nov 2011 Village 120,000 Estimated annual visits Target Fitness+ Romiley 64146 130,853 194,999 Target Life Bramhall 75444 0 75444 During term time only open evening and weekends Target Life Cheadle Hulme 29187 0 29187 Open Saturday and Sunday. Monday to Friday only open evenings Target Life Hazel Grove 80915 0 80915 During term time only open evening and weekends Target Life Lapwing 49378 0 49378 Target Life Priestnall 38904 0 38904 During term time only open evening and weekends Target Life Werneth 37401 0 37401 Open Saturday and Sunday. Monday to Friday only open evenings Target Life Dialstone 47040 0 47040 Total 731249 537,059 1,268,308
Notes:
Dry visits includes: individual visits by casual users and members; use of sports hall/squash courts/activity rooms – all recorded as 1 visit per booking.
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Wet visits includes; individual visits by casual users, members, lessons, club use and pool parties.
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Appendix H. NPS building condition report summary
Condition Survey Results (£s)
Priority for years 1 to Priority for years 6 to Asset Total Condition Cost 5 10
Target Fitness Avondale 645,950 277,220 923,170
Target Fitness Cheadle 533,560 106,230 639,790
Target Fitness Hazel Grove 357,710 182,190 539,900
Target Fitness Marple 311,280 51,100 362,380
Target Fitness Peel Moat 552,380 112,340 664,720
Target Fitness Romiley 574,630 182,790 757,420
Target Life Bramhall 383,670 111,780 495,450
Target Life Cheadle Hulme 494,010 38,840 532,850
Target Life Dialstone 348,370 82,490 430,860
Target Life Hazel Grove 565,790 95,250 661,040
Target Life Lapwing 1,126,190 210,660 1,336,850
Target Life Priestnall 532,230 202,580 734,810
Target Life Werneth 358,510 71,080 429,590
TOTAL 6,784,280 1,724,550 8,508,830
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Appendix I. Target Fitness+ Cheadle User Distribution Map
Target Fitness+ Cheadle
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Appendix J. Target Fitness+ Hazel Grove User Distribution Map
Appendix J. Target Fitness+ Romiley User Distribution Map
Target Fitness+ Hazel Grove
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Appendix K. Target Fitness+ Romiley User Distribution map
Target Fitness+ Romiley
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