The Leisure Strategy is one of the key strategies as set out in the Vision for Brentwood 2016-19 document. The Council has ageing facilities and needs to ensure that its leisure facilities are not only fit for purpose now but in the future. The Strategy and action plan sets out the vision, what the Council needs to achieve, the challenges it faces and how the priorities and outcomes have been identified. The Leisure Strategy is a large piece of work, so it has been split into workstreams to enable its delivery. The Strategy will cover a period of 10 years, but the supporting action plan will be a live document which will be reviewed and updated regularly to note the progress on the delivery of the Strategy.

The draft Leisure Strategy was presented to Community, Health and Housing Committee on 5 March for approval with a recommendation to refer to Policy, Projects and Resources Committee due to the resources and budgets that need to be agreed by Members.

Cllr Kendall, expressed a wish for the Leisure Strategy to be reviewed by the Corporate Project and Scrutiny Committee.  He was informed by Officers that the Leisure Strategy will be reviewed under the Working Group and will be discussed at the meeting on 19th March.

After a full discussion, Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Parker SECONDED  the recommendations in the report, subject to an amendment to 2.3 to state:-

2.3      Subject to the required resource and budgets, the committee agrees delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of Community Health and Housing Committee and the Leader of the Council to appoint a Leisure Development Partner to develop a business case for the improvements to King George’s Playing Fields.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED.

1.         That Members agree to the draft Leisure Strategy and action Plan.

2.         The draft Leisure Strategy is put out for consultation and the final

strategy comes back to the relevant committee for approval.

3.         Subject to the required resource and budgets, the committee agrees delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of Community Health and Housing Committee and the Leader of the Council to appoint a Leisure Development Partner to develop a business case for the improvements to King George’s Playing Fields.

Reasons for Recommendation

As part of the Council’s due diligence in delivering a successful Leisure Strategy, Members and Officers need to have a complete picture of the current associated costs, risk profiles for the Borough’ Leisure facilities and identify opportunities for the income generation.

Comments received from Sport England as part of the Local Development

Plan consultation, stated that a Leisure Strategy is required that assesses Council owned sports and leisure facilities in order that the Council can continue to work with partners to ensure that appropriate provision is made for the residents of Brentwood. The strategy should not only consider how the Council can provide services, but also how other partners can. The strategy should also use current sports facility evidence to identify strategic priorities to then inform what will be included in the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Following this feasibility work, the Council will then be able to determine which projects will be funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and those funded by planning obligations.

The Council’s Asset Management Strategy 2014/15 also sets out the need to obtain maximise income where possible from its asset portfolio.

(Cllr Ms Rowlands and Cllr Kerslake declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue of her position as a Trustee for Brentwood Leisure Trust.  Cllr Kendall and Cllr Hossack declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue of being a Members of the Brentwood Centre (BLT)).