Agenda item

The panel received a presentation that detailed the projected societal value generated by the leisure facilities offered in North Northamptonshire.

It was noted that the Leisure Team had undertaken a piece of research in partnership with Max Associates and 4GLOBAL to explore the projected social value generated by leisure facilities that incorporated a combination of participation data. Details of the 12 leisure facilities that formed part of the research were detailed to the meeting.

It was heard that Social Return on Investment was a framework for measuring the non-market economic, social and environmental value created by an activity, organisation and intervention. A user generated social value when participating in an activity with the amount of value dependent on demographic factors and how long they were active for. The value generated was detailed at the per-person level and divided into four key indicators: physical and mental health; subjective wellbeing; individual development; and social and community development

It was reported that the societal value generated by North Northamptonshire leisure facilities during 2023 was estimated at £16.6m, the largest percentage of this being subjective wellbeing. Physical and mental health indicators were broken down into specific long-term conditions and outlined to the meeting.

The panel noted that the Council’s in-house leisure facilities featured in the top quartile against benchmarked leisure sites from other providers. The exercise would be undertaken again in the next two or three years to ascertain whether there had been any change.

It was reported that in 2023, Max Associates had been commissioned to assist in producing an Active Communities Strategic Framework, that included an Active Communities Strategy, Playing Pitch Strategy, Leisure Facilities Strategy and a Future Options Report for management of North Northamptonshire Leisure.

It was noted that this was a significant and lengthy piece of work, with final drafts for the three strategies close to being finalised for publication. Prior to that, actions arising from those strategies required preparation. It was further noted that the Leisure Facilities Strategy would be used to bring forward an investment plan for the Council’s leisure estate and sensible decisions were required in light of current need and projected population demand. This work was well underway with a view to bringing this subject back to the EAP prior to Executive decision before the end of 2024.

Co-Chair, Cllr Helen Howell spoke to welcome the informative presentation noting that active leisure added value to residents lives and reduced the burden on health services. In regard to the Active Communities Strategic Framework, areas for improvement had been identified and a plan for the improvements created.

Cllr Paul Marks reported negative feedback from local residents regarding Freedom Leisure in Kettering, noting that the Cornmarket Hall facilities were difficult to book and the Kettering swimming pool had a lack of staff. In response it was noted that there had been staffing issues and a significant turnover of site managers, however a new area manager had been appointed and regular monitoring and meetings would be held going forward to ensure better performance.

Cllr Russell Roberts noted the importance of wellbeing for residents and welcomed the Council’s stance of adopting best practices for its facilities whilst noting that Local Strategic Partnerships had a beneficial role to play in this regard.

Cllr Ken Harrington queried how the Council would prioritise leisure services given limited funding availability. It was heard that collected data would be utilised to ensure sufficient service provision to meet population needs while ensuring the Council played its part in delivering programmes that helped people recovering from illness or injury.

Co-Chair, Cllr Howell concluded debate by noting the scale of work involved in producing the Active Communities Strategic Framework, with a need for planning to invest in leisure facilities while understanding what constituted the optimal service provision throughout the whole of North Northamptonshire.