Issue - meetings

Members are invited to receive evidence and interview Louise Gallagher-Smith (Sporting Futures) to inform the Sports and Leisure scrutiny review.

Louise Gallagher-Smith (Sporting Futures) was in attendance at the meeting. She gave a presentation focussing on the accessibility/affordability of sporting clubs in Stevenage; the take up of leisure opportunities; and good practice.

In reply to a Member question regarding Ridlins Athletics Track and associated buildings, Louise and the Culture, Wellbeing & Leisure Services Manager commented that, whilst cleaning and patching had taken place over the past 5 years, the facility was in need of a complete refurbishment, the cost of which was estimated in the region of £1Million, of which a new running track was the most pressing and would cost circa £250,000.  The facility was expensive to maintain, as income was minimal and annual expenditure was in the region of £200,000.

In relation to queries regarding opportunities for 15-19 year olds, officers agreed to provide Members with a list of current sporting/leisure initiatives in Stevenage directed towards this age group.  The Committee asked officers to ensure that the Community Development Officers were kept up to date with such sporting/leisure initiatives, via the Stevenage Youth Engagement Group, so that relevant information could be imparted to potential users.