Issue - meetings

To consider a confidential report by Councillor Huw Jones, Lead Member for Leisure, Youth, Tourism and Rural Development (copy to follow) on the future delivery options for the facilities currently operated by Clwyd Leisure Limited.

RESOLVED  –

(a)       that the Council reaffirms its vision of developing first class tourist and leisure facilities as part of the longer term coastal offer;

(b)       that Cabinet calls upon the Board of Clwyd Leisure Limited to state by 31 January 2014 what its future plans are for the operation of its facilities in the short and medium terms;

(c)        that Cabinet endorses the position that it is too great a risk to the Council to take over the Clwyd Leisure Limited Company;

(d)       that in light of the ongoing concerns and the due diligence exercise findings, the Council ceases to fund Clwyd Leisure Limited completely from 1 April 2014 onwards;

(e)       that the current funding available to support Clwyd Leisure Limited (circa £200k in 2014/15) is used to support these changes and to develop an interim offer whilst the Council decides upon the longer term coastal offer.

[This item was brought forward on the agenda with the consent of the Leader]

Councillor Huw Jones presented the confidential report on the future delivery options for the facilities currently operated by Clwyd Leisure Limited.

A petition coordinated by a member of staff at the North Wales Bowls Centre was read out urging the Council to take action to prevent the closure of the facilities.

Members carefully considered the findings of the due diligence exercise carried out and the case made for future options and took the opportunity to question the officers thereon in order to satisfy themselves as to the best way forward.  During an in depth discussion serious concerns were raised about the way the company was being run and the operation of facilities.  Whilst it was agreed that the Council could not take over or continue to fund the company in light of those concerns they reiterated their commitment to improving the coastal tourism and leisure offer.

RESOLVED –

(a)       that the Council reaffirms its vision of developing first class tourist and leisure facilities as part of the longer term coastal offer;

(b)       that Cabinet calls upon the Board of Clwyd Leisure Limited to state by 31 January 2014 what its future plans are for the operation of its facilities in the short and medium terms;

(c)        that Cabinet endorses the position that it is too great a risk to the Council to take over the Clwyd Leisure Limited Company;

(d)       that in light of the ongoing concerns and the due diligence exercise findings, the Council ceases to fund Clwyd Leisure Limited completely from 1 April 2014 onwards, and

(e)       that the current funding available to support Clwyd Leisure Limited (circa £200k in 2014/15) is used to support these changes and to develop an interim offer whilst the Council decides upon the longer term coastal offer.

At this point Cabinet adjourned for lunch and resumed in open session at 3.00 p.m.