Decision details

(Report of Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services)

Members were presented with a Quarterly Update Report on the performance of the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust (TMLT) covering the period from January to March 2023, as set out in Annex 1, and Member approval was sought on the TMLT Business Plan covering a two-year period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025 and the TMLT Annual Service Delivery Plan covering the period of 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, set out in Annexes 2 and 3 respectively.

Due to ongoing considerations of the impact of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the rise in utility costs and implications for the Angel Centre as part of the town centre review project, a two-year Business Plan was proposed, and it was anticipated that a new five-year Business Plan would be published from 1 April 2025.

Particular reference was made to the Energy Saving/Climate Change strategy as highlighted in the Business Plan and Members noted that the installation of solar panels at Tonbridge Swimming Pool and additional solar panels at Larkfield Leisure Centre were being considered, as well as application for funding to support installation of heat pumps at both sites.

Following consideration by the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee, the Cabinet Member for Community Services resolved that:

(1)        the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust Quarterly Update Report covering the period of January to March 2023, attached at Annex 1, be noted;

(2)        the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust Business Plan covering the period of April 2023 to March 2025, attached at Annex 2, be approved, subject to further investigation of climate change measures, including additional solar panels and heat pumps; and

(3)        the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust Annual Service Delivery Plan covering the period of 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, attached at Annex 3, be approved.