Agenda item

To consider the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1608 (copy attached), which provides an update on the work of the Lido Review Task and Finish Group.

The Cabinet considered the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1608, which provided an update on the work of the Lido Review Task and Finish Group and proposed working arrangements for the Aldershot Lido for the 2016 season. 

The Cabinet was reminded of the work that had been carried out by the Task and Finish Group previously. The Group had worked closely with both the Friends of Aldershot Lido and the Aldershot Civic Society and had invited each of these organisations to co-opt a representative to the Group. The Group’s vision for the site was for an integrated facility for all ages, including a lido, splash pad, adventure golf, indoor pool and fitness suite, café and shop, changing rooms, slides and flumes. It was recognised, however, that any facilities should not jeopardise existing provision in the area and must be financially viable. It was reported that the Aldershot Civic Society had carried out an online survey regarding the Aldershot Lido and a summary of the responses received was included as an appendix to the Report. It showed broad support for the retention of a lido, with the addition of some complementary facilities, such as a splash pad. Respondents had felt that the improvement most likely to increase visits to the site would be the heating of the pool.

Given the additional work carried out by the Friends of Aldershot Lido, the Aldershot Civic Society and the Council, the Task and Finish Group proposed that the Council should continue to share any surpluses or deficits equally with Places for People, with a maximum risk or return to the Council capped at £20,000. This would help to ensure that any increased support from local residents would have the potential to reduce the Council’s subsidy rather than improve the profit for the contractor. Despite the introduction of various initiatives in 2015, attendances had fallen significantly compared to 2014. A meeting had been held between the Friends of Aldershot Lido, the Aldershot Civic Society, the Council and Places for People and a number of improvements and initiatives had been agreed for the 2016 season. Furthermore, it was proposed that, given the wide range of potential service providers for the Lido and the Aldershot Indoor Pool, the Council should invite around ten experienced organisations to participate in soft market testing. This would focus on options for how the facility could be improved and this would help to shape the tendering process, which would begin later in 2016.

The Cabinet discussed the Report and welcomed  the proposal to carry out soft market testing with a view to improving the facilities offered and providing long term financial sustainability at the site.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)               the continuation of the financial arrangement, where the Council shares the risk and return linked to profit with Places for People for 2016, to provide an incentive for the additional work being carried out by the Friends of Aldershot Lido , the Aldershot Civic Society and the Council, with the Council’s maximum risk and return being capped at £20,000, be approved; and

(ii)             a soft market testing exercise for the Aldershot Indoor Pool and Lido be approved, to be carried out over Summer 2016.