On Mendip I am involved in the councillor steering group which is working on determine the future of Frome Leisure Centre once the current contract runs out in 2015, and I am working to try and ensure this valued local facility is sustained and improved in future for the community.  I know how much the leisure centre means to people as my children are learning to swim there too.

I am also trying to agree a way forward on issues raised by local residents, including how the Leisure Centre can better store their rubbish, and on the future of baby and toddler gym classes.

Update 5th December:

Leisure Strategy update: Mendip District Council is progressing their district-wide review of its leisure centre provision, to encourage investment and provide residents with new and improved facilities in future, including in Frome. I want to ensure that leisure facilities in Frome are maintained and improved in future for the whole community, including swimming.

A report being debated at the next Mendip Cabinet meeting on 9th December (see reports under item 13 here: http://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/2714/Monday-9-December-2013) reveals that the ‘soft market testing’ exercise carried out earlier in the year found that (see p4-5 of the report):

“… the companies generally: did not have the ability to raise significant capital sums for investment, at least without the Council having to underwrite long term finance risks; were interested in entering into a traditional leisure services management contract, for a period of 10 to 15 years; could not see a way to enhance incomes in order to provide a revenue-neutral solution for the continued provision of leisure services, especially with swimming (which always requires a high level of subsidy) being maintained.
However, the soft market testing exercise revealed an interest from the market in exploring a property solution rather than a leisure services management contract, the highlights of which would be: A medium to long term lease (rather than a management contract) of the Council’s leisure assets; A longer-term property interest being the lever to raise significant capital investment for leisure facilities to be maintained and enhanced over time; A possibility of moving towards a cost neutral position; Facilities would operate on a commercial basis, so that the leisure estate could be kept vibrant with a focus on providing at all times a range of popular modern activities.”

The report recommends that the Council “should explore whether a property transaction is achievable in the current market” through an “intensive and relatively short term property marketing exercise to establish demand from property investors and developers active in the leisure arena” and that Cabionet delegate authority to senior officers and councillors in order to do so.

10th December update:

Mendip’s Cabinet approved the launch of a market testing exercise which will explore whether the private sector would be interested in taking on a medium to long-term lease of the council’s leisure facilities –  see link to Council’s press release here.

For the previous article about the leisure strategy please see http://adamboyden.mycouncillor.org.uk/2013/03/19/mendip-reviews-future-of-leisure-centres/.

If anyone has any concerns or comments on this, please let me know. I will remain involved in the Council’s Steering Group on this and will keep an eye on the situation.

Baby / toddler gym update: Recent press articles including in the Frome Standard (http://www.fromestandard.co.uk/Frome-mums-outcry-scrapping-baby-sessions/story-20227524-detail/story.html) highlighted the decision by Avalon, who run Frome Leisure Centre, to cease all baby/toddler/children’s gym classes in December. I have spoken with one of the mums and the manager of the Leisure Centre, and I understand that discussions are ongoing between Avalon and the Liberty Gymnastics Club (at the Vallis Mills trading estate, see http://www.libertygymnastics.co.uk/index.php) about the potential for Liberty to offer gym classes to younger children than at present, in a fully equipped venue, which would effectively replace the classes being cancelled by Avalon, in a different location.  I am happy to encourage discussions between all parties and will let people know of any progress on this.Update 10 December: