In accordance with the Council’s Constitution a brief written report by each committee Chair covering their area of responsibility was provided for Members’ information at each Ordinary Council meeting.

Any Member might ask a Chair a written or oral question on

(a)          Any matter included in the Chair’s written report; or

(b)          Any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Council’s area and which falls within the area of responsibility of the Chair’s committee.

One written question had been received from Cllr Chilvers:

The Brentwood Leisure Trust (BLT) was offering a two year gym membership at the Brentwood Centre at a cost of over £550. A contract of this duration is uncommon and is certainly ill-advised according to trusted financial advice website moneysavingexpert.com. 

When were Brentwood Council’s administration councillors, officers or trustees made aware of this prior to BLT going in to administration? If so, was it raised with the trust as a concern or added to the council’s risk register? 

Those that paid by credit card may be able to claim via their card issuer but what course of action can those that paid by other means take to recover their subscriptions, bearing in mind it takes many months to recover monies as an unsecured creditor in an administration scenario and only a nominal fraction is usually recovered? 

Cllr Mrs Tierney responses on behalf of Cllr Poppy

The decision to offer a two-year membership was the Trusts, it would have been to individuals to decide if they wished to enter into the contract.

Regarding whether the Council was aware prior to going into administration, as the Trust was not insolvent, it was for them to determine how they dealt with memberships not the Council. 

Once the provision has come back in house the Council has been looking at ways in which to try assist if we can.  My advice would be for any outstanding monies that individuals are owed should be taken up with the Insolvency Practitioner directly. For those that have paid for their membership by credit then they can contact their credit card company directly to see whether they can recover any of those monies.

I would like to emphasise this is not something we are contractually obliged to do but the Council is offering as a goodwill gesture, for those that took out an annual membership or more, offering a discount on a monthly membership which will be based on how many weeks or months of unused membership they still have.

Cllr Chilvers asked for a response from Officers relating to the second paragraph of her question.  This was agreed by Officers.

When were Brentwood Council’s administration councillors, officers or trustees made aware of this prior to BLT going into administration? If so, was it raised with the trust as a concern or added to the council’s risk register? 

Cllr Naylor asked a question to Cllr Hossack in relating to a decision made at Council on 7^th October 2020. Cllr Hossack asked that his question be put in writing, on receipt of this he response to every member of the Council.

(Cllr Poppy declared a pecuniary interest by virtue of having a two year gym membership at the Brentwood Centre).