Issue - meetings

The Lead Specialist, Strategic Planning advised that Knight Kavanagh & Page Ltd had been commissioned to undertake a needs assessment of the built leisure facilities in South Somerset to form the basis of a new policy.  They were asked to include swimming pools, sports halls, community halls, health and fitness facilities, indoor courts and outdoor sports facilities.  She said there was no suggestion that SSDC could meet the required provisions or fill all the gaps in need.  A Members Workshop was due to be held on 24^th January to help prioritise the gaps in provision.

During discussion, it was noted that the 1610 sites at Castle Cary, Stanchester and Wadham schools had all notified local clubs that they would no longer be open to the public from March 2019.  Members felt that some clarification ought to be sought regarding any lottery fund which may have been part of the facilities which required they were open for community use. 

The Lead Specialist, Strategic Planning said that where possible, usage agreements would be negotiated. 

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee said it would be helpful to re-issue the invitation to the workshop to remind Members of its importance and encourage them to attend.

At the conclusion of the debate, Members were content to confirm the recommendations of the report.