Agenda item

The Corporate Manager, Porth Cymorth Cynnar presented a report to the Committee, which gave an update on the recent developments within the service. The Committee were informed that the Service had been reviewing progress made against the Ceredigion “Sport and Recreational Activity Strategy 2014-2020” in preparation for the development of a new plan, which is due to operate from 2022-2027. It was noted that an initial public engagement exercise was underway which will inform the development plan, forming the basis for the next stage of the consultation process.

Lampeter Leisure Centre will be the location of the Council’s first Wellbeing Centre, providing an enhanced range of Through Age Services to the residents of Lampeter and mid county. Initially, Plascrug had been the intended first centre, however due to Plascrug being utilised as a field hospital, the Service were required to consider developing a Wellbeing Centre in another part of the county. On the 1^st of December 2020, Cabinet approved the proposal to develop a Wellbeing Centre in Lampeter. The Service were eager to ensure that the funding was not lost and could be utilised at another location.

Indicative costing suggest that construction costs may be met by grant funding, although final costing will not be known until a tendering process has taken place. It is anticipated that building works will be completed by June / July 2022.  The Leisure Centre will be closed during building works however positive discussions have been had with the University of Wales Trinity St David’s regarding the joint use of their sporting facilities during this time.

The following questions had been raised by Members:

·         Members noted that concern had been raised by the Lampeter Lions Netball team that the reduction to the size of the Hall from 4 to 3 badminton size courts was smaller than that of a full-size netball court.  Officer noted that a letter had been sent to Lampeter Lions on Thursday inviting them to meet with the Cabinet Member, the Corporate Lead Officer and the Corporate Manager for Porth Cymorth Cynnar, however have not received a response, as yet.  It was noted that the service have spoken to all the other clubs that use the Hall on a regular basis, and no other objections were received. It was noted that the Netball League meetings are held at Aberaeron and that the courts at Lampeter are used for practice only. Facilities for practice will continue to be provided in the hall. There are two further full-size outdoor courts available.  Officer noted that the Council is in discussion with the University of Wales Trinity St David, Lampeter with regards to sharing their facilities whilst building work is carried out. The court provided by the University is larger, being 1 metre short of a standards netball court.  It was noted that Wales Netball Association is also developing the sport to include Walking Netball, Seated Netball and Tiny Tots Netball, and the development of the Wellbeing Centres will facilitate greater use of the centre by all of the residents.

·         Members asked whether there are any guidelines in relation to size of courts. Officers noted that the standard halls are 4 badminton size courts, however some halls are smaller, others larger. There is no legal stipulation in relation to this.

·         Members asked whether it would be possible to build an extension to the side of the building as opposed to restructuring the internal layout. Officer noted that the grant stipulated can be used to adapt assets for wider community use, to widen the potential use of the asset in question, therefore this is not an option. It was noted that if the grant funding is not spent, it would be lost.

·         Members noted that they welcomed the provision of a Wellbeing Centre, however they did not wish to see this happen, at the cost of losing the Sports Hall. They also highlighted the need to consult with the youth of Ceredigion, as well as the elderly.  Officer noted that a review carried out by ‘Just Solutions’ in 2018 noted that the building and provision at the time was not sustainable. At that time discussions had taken place in order to try and meet the needs of everyone including those of vulnerable people and families and it was decided that the Leisure Centres could be transformed into Wellbeing Centres to meet the needs of the residents in Ceredigion.  The Wellbeing Centres are part of a wider strategy to improve the provision for people of all ages.

·         Members noted that limited information had been provided regarding the proposed internal restructure.  Officer noted that the development of the  Wellbeing Centres are an integral part of the Though Age and Wellbeing Programme and Strategy. The Strategy and the Action Plan was shared with Members in a Scrutiny meeting on Friday. The LA will be engaging with the community in order to raise their awareness of the Strategy and the Action Plan.

·         The Cabinet Member noted that information regarding the funding and the location of the first Wellbeing Centre at Lampeter had been presented to Cabinet and that there had been no call-in at that time.

·         Member noted that the focus of such developments tended to be around the 3 main towns in Ceredigion, and that areas such as Llandysul and Tregaron were losing out to these towns.  Officer noted that outreach and pop-up provision would also be provided at other locations.

·         Members asked whether the restructuring work would require planning permission, and whether the new planning regulations resulting from high levels of phosphates on the Teifi River Area of Special Conservation would restrict the development.  It was recommended that a pre-planning application is submitted.

·         Members asked whether the Service was in consultation with neighbouring authorities with regards to such provision.  Officers confirmed that this was in place.

The Chair of the Committee noted that he would contact the Lions Netball team to advise them that the opportunity to discuss their concerns was still available to them.

RECOMMENDATION:

• To share information and receive the views of the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Members agreed to recommend the following to Cabinet:

·         The Committee respect that the decision regarding developing the Wellbeing Centres has been made by Cabinet.  

           The Committee does, however, recommend that all information provided by Officers to Cabinet Members is fully shared with relevant Members. The Committee also considers it important that information is also shared and views sought from all stakeholders when appropriate.