Lambeth Council bringing Leisure Service/ Brixton Rec Management In-house
- Thread starter Gramsci
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Gramsci
Well-Known Member
The contract with GLL/ Better is being extended for a year to enable time to hand over to the Council.
I'm in BRUG.
I'm wondering what people think of this decsion?
It also means opportunity to discuss how it should be run.
Bringing it back in house means all the Leisure centres. I'm not sure about Vauxhall as Council don't own it.
A concern I've heard re Rec is that Council can't manage to get heating in changing rooms or keep pool temperature up. So how are they going to run leisure services properly?
I'm in BRUG.
I'm wondering what people think of this decsion?
It also means opportunity to discuss how it should be run.
Bringing it back in house means all the Leisure centres. I'm not sure about Vauxhall as Council don't own it.
A concern I've heard re Rec is that Council can't manage to get heating in changing rooms or keep pool temperature up. So how are they going to run leisure services properly?
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
This is the view of Council. Question to Cllr Donatus about the in sourcing:
IN-SOURCING LEISURE SERVICES
Would it be possible for the Cabinet Member to let us know more about the benefits that we are expecting from in-sourcing our leisure services?
Party: Labour
Answer: Gaining full control of our extensive facilities will allow us the flexibility to go further in supporting strategic objectives and Borough plan goals; and to respond quickly to changes in priorities, or to take advantage of new opportunities, support employment and work closely with our public health and wellbeing agenda
Due to the investment Lambeth Council has made in its leisure facilities over the past decade, the borough’s leisure service is highly profitable. However, to date the structure of the arrangement with GLL has meant that only a small proportion of that profit has accrued to Lambeth. Bringing the service in-house will give Lambeth full control of the revenues generated, and our forecasting indicates that we will see a significant increase in net income. This should allow us to ensure income and savings targets are met, and there is more
money available for investment into our facilities and to support a wider range of initiatives to achieve delivery of the Council’s wider strategic objectives.
Promoting healthier lifestyles for Lambeth residents is a key priority for the council. Insourcing would allow the Council to respond more flexibly to meeting its strategic priorities.
We believe by taking back the management of leisure centres, we would be in a better position to achieve our aims- providing more employment opportunities, reviewing our concession pricing, nurturing local talent and working towards carbon neutrality. Through insourcing leisure centres, we are demonstrating that we are holding on to our manifesto commitments and ensuring that we are constantly striving to improve service delivery
IN-SOURCING LEISURE SERVICES
Would it be possible for the Cabinet Member to let us know more about the benefits that we are expecting from in-sourcing our leisure services?
Party: Labour
Answer: Gaining full control of our extensive facilities will allow us the flexibility to go further in supporting strategic objectives and Borough plan goals; and to respond quickly to changes in priorities, or to take advantage of new opportunities, support employment and work closely with our public health and wellbeing agenda
Due to the investment Lambeth Council has made in its leisure facilities over the past decade, the borough’s leisure service is highly profitable. However, to date the structure of the arrangement with GLL has meant that only a small proportion of that profit has accrued to Lambeth. Bringing the service in-house will give Lambeth full control of the revenues generated, and our forecasting indicates that we will see a significant increase in net income. This should allow us to ensure income and savings targets are met, and there is more
money available for investment into our facilities and to support a wider range of initiatives to achieve delivery of the Council’s wider strategic objectives.
Promoting healthier lifestyles for Lambeth residents is a key priority for the council. Insourcing would allow the Council to respond more flexibly to meeting its strategic priorities.
We believe by taking back the management of leisure centres, we would be in a better position to achieve our aims- providing more employment opportunities, reviewing our concession pricing, nurturing local talent and working towards carbon neutrality. Through insourcing leisure centres, we are demonstrating that we are holding on to our manifesto commitments and ensuring that we are constantly striving to improve service delivery
I don't understand this. Some years ago Lambeth tried to sell off all the leisure centres for the land and now they want them back because Better have run them at a profit?
I'm sceptical that they'll run them any better. And wouldn't be surprised if they try to sell them off again in the future.
I'm sceptical that they'll run them any better. And wouldn't be surprised if they try to sell them off again in the future.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
Now that I have a youngster I would love to use that pool. I have not been since the first lock down but every time I did it was grubby, or freezing (changing rooms) and on one occasion the water was not even particularly clear. The soft play was great in principle but filthy with thick piles of dust everywhere that was not easily accessible. And for parents it is like a doctor's waiting room. Getting info about classes has at times been nigh on impossible and staff can be so miserable.
There is no feeling of care in that place. It has so much potential but is instead an ordeal rather than enjoyable, so I don't bother. I don't have much confidence in Lambeth improving it but would be delighted to be proven wrong.
There is no feeling of care in that place. It has so much potential but is instead an ordeal rather than enjoyable, so I don't bother. I don't have much confidence in Lambeth improving it but would be delighted to be proven wrong.
The new ones don't give nearly as much pool space or soft play space. So users don't actually gain with the supposedly better use of space.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
Whilst that may be true (I've no idea) it seems like something to be addressed in a project and then design brief. I don't think it is a reason to stick with the current building.
That said, I'm all for use of the current building if it can be made to work really well.
The problem is that once it's up for redesign, the council see an opportunity to sell off some of the land.
I'm a parent too. I've taken two kids through that soft play and those pools. I also use the pool weekly on my own. I can live with a bit of cold and dirt rather than a smaller, busier pool and a tiny soft play. Cleaning isn't a design issue anyway.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
I totally respect your satisfaction with it as it is. But I don't share it. And I would not support maintaining the status quo so that it keeps the numbers down for those who don't mind it being cold and dirty.
Of course it is. For just one example read a couple of posts up where I referred to thick piles of dust in parts of the children's soft play which are not easily accessible.
I think you could clean those areas if you wanted.
I didn't say I was satisfied. I said that I felt these issues were the lesser of two evils. I don't want to lose the space.
Also the change rooms aren't that cold, I'm not English and the first to moan if cold is unbearable.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
They were planning to use Pop site to build new Rec and sell off the large International house/ Rec site. I say planning as they always would deny any "plans"
Public opposition stopped them pursuing that idea.
Next was listing the Rec. It's now Grade two listed. This doesn't stop it being demolished. Just makes it more difficult. Council opposed listing.
It's been a constant battle.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
On the cold changing rooms. Despite Cllr Donatus going on about the investment in leisure they haven't fixed the heating in the changing rooms for years. This is Lambeth responsibility. Not GLL/ Better.
Despite promises.
Council have set aside money to do this several years ago. But haven't been able to manage the works. Blaming officer turnover for the fits and starts of this project.
GLL / Better managed the Rec. But the Council were still responsible for major works like replacing heating/ boilers as the owners of the building. And the roof leaks that mean some parts of Rec aren't usable.
The day to day maintenance and management was for GLL/ Better.
So in some ways Council already managed part of leisure services.
Clapham, Streatham are newish.
A problem with the Council is lack of ongoing planned maintenance. Things are left to break down completely. Then patched or given up on. Council then say it's to expensive and be easier to build new Rec by doing a deal with a developer.
The Rec ( and International house) are structurally sound. But the plant is all reaching the end of its life. So from Council point of view building new Rec in deal with a developer elsewhere would solve the issue. My problem with this is that it is policy that means every thirty years build a new Rec.
Despite promises.
Council have set aside money to do this several years ago. But haven't been able to manage the works. Blaming officer turnover for the fits and starts of this project.
GLL / Better managed the Rec. But the Council were still responsible for major works like replacing heating/ boilers as the owners of the building. And the roof leaks that mean some parts of Rec aren't usable.
The day to day maintenance and management was for GLL/ Better.
So in some ways Council already managed part of leisure services.
Clapham, Streatham are newish.
A problem with the Council is lack of ongoing planned maintenance. Things are left to break down completely. Then patched or given up on. Council then say it's to expensive and be easier to build new Rec by doing a deal with a developer.
The Rec ( and International house) are structurally sound. But the plant is all reaching the end of its life. So from Council point of view building new Rec in deal with a developer elsewhere would solve the issue. My problem with this is that it is policy that means every thirty years build a new Rec.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Due to the boiler not being replaced yet. ( Now told it's going to be April) I've been sometimes going to Vauxhall.
Warm changing rooms and pool. Makes a big difference. This winter hasn't been to cold. But changing rooms in Rec aren't heated at all.
People pay for this. And tbf I've lost patience with Council over this.
Its not a service like the Library which is free.
I was looking through some old Council docs. Before Better took the contract they insisted that Council put money into the Rec to bring it up to standard. Which is fair enough. Council did this as they were afraid that they would have no one to manage it of they didn't.
Council also upped cost of using Rec ( the gym) when Better took over
The Rec monthly contracts to use gym are comparable to local private gyms now.
Pricing is an issue imo that should be up for discussion.
My partner uses the gym. Said if it goes up in price she might go elsewhere.
Warm changing rooms and pool. Makes a big difference. This winter hasn't been to cold. But changing rooms in Rec aren't heated at all.
People pay for this. And tbf I've lost patience with Council over this.
Its not a service like the Library which is free.
I was looking through some old Council docs. Before Better took the contract they insisted that Council put money into the Rec to bring it up to standard. Which is fair enough. Council did this as they were afraid that they would have no one to manage it of they didn't.
Council also upped cost of using Rec ( the gym) when Better took over
The Rec monthly contracts to use gym are comparable to local private gyms now.
Pricing is an issue imo that should be up for discussion.
My partner uses the gym. Said if it goes up in price she might go elsewhere.
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Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I've heard several people voice concerns that the Council may still sell off the Rec. That they are running it down on purpose. I don't think that is unreasonable point of view.
I think the Council as they are now taking over management should put out statement that Rec will be kept.
I think the Council as they are now taking over management should put out statement that Rec will be kept.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I didn't go. I've only just over getting Covid. Didn't think it would be good idea to be in room of people.
I was going to help with the meeting.
Bringing services back in house isn't just this Labour Council.
Why councils are bringing millions of pounds worth of services back in-house
After 40 years of awarding contracts to the private sector, insourcing is now the way for local authorities to cut costs and improve quality
This article goes into some of the reasons why Councils are bringing services back inhouse. Islington has done it before Lambeth.
Notice in the article one of the reasons is that it can potentially bring in more revenue directly for a Council. Im concerned that the Council could see Leisure Services are money spinner.
Pre pandemic the Rec , the biggest in Lambeth, made a surplus. This was divided up with some of the surplus going back into Lambeths General fund. Not specifically set aside for leisure services.
A problem I see is that after decades of out sourcing Councils don't have the capacity or knowledge of how to run a complex service like Leisure services.
CH1
"Red Guard"(NLYL)
I didn't go either as had pressing IT issues. Be interested to know what transpired.
My own issue as a potential casual user is they operate a booking and DD system, whereas I would like to be able to turn up on soec.
I'm sure this does not fit in with the business model of leisure centres these days so hardly worth mentioning.
My own issue as a potential casual user is they operate a booking and DD system, whereas I would like to be able to turn up on soec.
I'm sure this does not fit in with the business model of leisure centres these days so hardly worth mentioning.
Agent Sparrow
the age of slippers and migraines
I can only speak for the swimming lessons but both the teachers and the woman organising the swimming lessons have been brilliant at Brixton lately. Particularly the organiser who has been thoughtful about inclusion issues.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
I went to the soft play last week and it had been cleaned up and redecorated. Paint already peeling off in places and parents' area still like a doctor's surgery waiting room. But a definite improvement.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Follow up to the lively public meeting is,
BRUG and Lambeth officers will host workshops on specific areas starting in April. To include |
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| For more information contact: brixtonbrug@gmail.com |
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Report back from the lively meeting
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
