Reclaim the Rec #Brixton1981

[Lee Japser]

40 yrs since #Brixton1981 community struggle secured the Rec which became a vibrant communist resource providing low cost community/sporting amenities and activities. A local council initiated, social enterprise company now runs the Rec and the contract is top for renewal. Time for the community to take seek more control and have a clea view about the future of the Rec? Join us as we seek the communities views on the future of the Rec.
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[snowy_again]

Lee, I’m not sure it was a communist resource!

Also Better / GLL aren’t technically a profit making organisation. As often rubbish as they are, they’re a social enterprise.

Good luck with the event

 

[Gramsci]

1. The contract with GLL/Better covers all Leisure centres.

Due to pandemic leisure centres are closed. Most staff are on furlong. However it still costs money to keep them closed.

As Ive posted elsewhere Lambeth is supporting GLL/ Better through government support and using the development pot.

Coincidently the contract will be up for renewal.

Any Council contract up for renewal will also look at option to bring it back inhouse.

Unlike libraries the leisure centres depend on income from users.

My concerns are:

• how will GLL/ Better pay back assistance from the development pot? Given length of closure the development pot is going to be seriously depleted.

• As the Leisure centre finances depend on reliable income stream the pandemic has driven a coach and horses through any financial planning. Im really concerned about long term future of leisure centres. Pandemic has been massive hit to them.

• Taking back inhouse the management of leisure centres is an option to be looked at when contract is renewed. During the pandemic the Council has in a way taken control of leisure services in order to keep GLL afloat. This is not GLLs fault. But does show that when a crisis happens in the last resort the Council has to step in.

• Due to pandemic Council has brought back inhouse some aspects of management.

• Im very concerned about the development pot. So far the Council are saying the Council support of GLL is not a hit on its finances ( ie not on the Council tax payer) as it is using the development pot. But the development pot is the money the users pay to use the Rec. And they were never asked or informed about this use.
  
• Once contract is up for renewal the options are give it to GLL, another management agent, bring back inhouse. Another option Ive vaguely heard about is that the "community" should take it over

 

[Gramsci]

Imo in the run up to a contract renewal for the Leisure centres the Council should consult and inform local residents on it. Including asking them views on bringing it back in-house.

Along with this the pandemic is going to have a serious effect on Leisure services run by local authorities unless the government gives some financial support post pandemic.

Personally I'm not keen on idea of " community" taking over the Rec.

My preferred option would be that all centres be taken in house management or a new contract with better oversight and more user/ community say built into it.

 

[Gramsci]

Another issue is Vauxhall. This unlike say Brixton Rec is not owned by Council.

It was built as gym/ pool for the student flats above it. GLL got a lease and the Council subsidise the cost to users. IE pay GLL to do this. Which apparently is going to come out of the development pot.

What happens to Vauxhall when leisure contract is renewed is a question.

And the Carnegie gym/ library.