Agenda item

The LED Director of Delivery introduced this report which provided an update on the activities of LED including operational delivery, customer engagement, facilities projects, health and safety, and community projects.

Discussion and clarification included the following points:

·        Members thanked the LED Director of Delivery for the very good report and commented positively on the range of activities and LED’s strong work in deepening community engagement around health and mental wellbeing.

·        An ongoing issue had been identified with parking at Honiton Leisure Centre particularly when matches were taking place on the adjacent pitches.  LED staff had observed inconsiderate and dangerous parking and there had been increased cancellations as well as complaints from users of the Leisure Centre who were unable to park and were therefore missing sessions which they had paid for.  The Assistant Director – Place, Assets & Commercialisation responded that he and the leadership team had been aware of the issues and following discussion, had decided in summer 2024 that it was not appropriate to intervene by introducing charging and parking enforcement; however, due to evidence recently provided by LED, the matter would be reviewed again in the coming weeks, to consider how the issues can be addressed. 

·        One Member had been approached by users of Exmouth Leisure Centre who were unhappy that the men’s changing facilities for the swimming pool had been closed or unavailable for use.  The LED Director of Delivery stated that he would look into the reasons for this and respond outside of the meeting but the fact that he was unaware, would indicate that any closure had been very temporary.

·        A Member asked about the nature and success of a project at Cranbrook Education Campus led by LED.  The LED Director of Delivery would enquire with the relevant team and provide a response outside of the meeting.

·       In response to a Member’s question, Cllr Fernley stated that she was aware that yoga sessions provided free in Cranbrook had been popular and were well attended. It was her understanding that the funding was for a 12-month fixed term and no contingency was currently in place for when the funding expired. 

·       Responding to a question about health referrals, The LED Director of Delivery stated that where they were not funded by the referring body, access to sessions and facilities was offered at a reduced rate to make them accessible and break down barriers.  The onus was then on LED to make the experience a positive one with encouraging results, such that referred individuals felt confident to engage and might consider enrolling with LED as a full member. 

·       A Member raised concern that some sessions which LED members had been accessing had been replaced with HYROX sessions not included in the cost of their membership meaning that, in effect, affected members were being asked to pay twice.  The LED Director of Delivery stated that LED had responded to an identified demand for HYROX and had hoped that it would encourage additional people to engage and join the facility, but there was a cost to becoming HYROX affiliated.  He would explore with the relevant team the impact on existing LED members, and report back.