Leisure
GLL – a force for change
GLL’s CEO Peter Bundey writes on how the company’s Social Enterprise model adds value to public services.
Procuring an Active Wellbeing Partnership
Pivoting from traditional leisure services to focusing on active wellbeing can help build the long term health of communities. Duncan Wood-Allum from SLC explains how it differs from traditional leisure contracts
Greening public services
GLL’s Chris Hebblewhite reveals progress on the co-op’s five year sustainability strategy.
Preparing for procuring a new leisure partnership – key learning
Leading consultancy SLC shares insights from recent successful leisure services procurement exercises.
Is leisure now a liability or an opportunity to support healthier communities?
The three key challenges being faced by council leisure services can be addressed positively to protect services and deliver greater benefits to communities. Leading consultancy SLC share their recent successes with local authority leisure procurement.
Hounslow’s LATCO model for leisure focuses firmly on community needs
The LATCO model is a third way to manage leisure services and bring together a commercial head and community heart - and it has been a game-changer in Hounslow, says Rowland Omamor.
Districts ‘think global, act local’
Stroud's action plan for carbon neutrality includes continuing to put its own house in order but is also about working in partnership with others and supporting its passionate communities, says Kathy O’Leary.
Can outsourced leisure centres benefit from the VAT ruling?
HMRC has revised its treatment of VAT on in house leisure services. Scott Dorling and Julian Jarrett consider if agency arrangements can retain this benefit for outsourced leisure services.
Creative solution are emerging to enable the leisure sector to thrive
The financial difficulties of the last few years have led many leisure centres to the edge of closure. William Benson sets out the challenges but says there is still plenty of room for optimism.
Taking on leisure’s crisis
Shaun Dawson shares what he and his teams have learned from the challenge of launching the £30m Lee Valley Ice Centre in East London, including the need to embrace private sector involvement.
There is still time to act on climate change
The Prime Minister may have rowed back on key net zero policies. But Ian Fytche says that with leadership, ambition and a ‘green thread’ approach to delivery, local places can make a difference and achieve a net zero future.
How rethinking energy can help keep swimming pools open
Swimming pools have come to symbolise the operational cost and carbon challenges faced by councils, but there are tangible solutions, argues Helena Rivers.
Partnerships are the key to creating healthy environments
Districts have a responsibility to support health services and provide the kinds of environments and opportunities in which good health comes naturally, says Gill Kneller.
The future can be bright for the public leisure sector
Steve Scales looks at how the public leisure sector can futureproof itself to ensure long-term success.
Working with local authorities to transform park tennis
As Wimbledon gets underway, Julie Porter sets out how the national governing body for tennis in Britain is working with local authorities to transform over 3,000 park tennis courts and get more people playing.
‘Significant doubt’ over future of council-owned firm
An auditor has said ‘significant doubt’ hangs over the future of Knowsley MBC’s leisure firm.
It's time to formalise districts' health role
When it comes to influencing the determinants of health, Gill Kneller believes districts are already part of the solution – but could give greater support if they had a formal statutory role in Integrated Care Systems.
The Budget recognises local leaders are a key growth driver
The chancellor’s Budget is a clear indication that councils are viewed as crucial in leading economic growth, says chair of the County Councils' Network, Tim Oliver.
LGA-backed coalition in fresh plea for Government leisure support
A coalition including the Local Government Association (LGA) has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warning of the ‘final straw’ for many gyms, pools and clubs.
The UK’s leisure centres must evolve in order to survive
With current plans failing, we must deliver a new leisure model that prioritises local communities and ‘place’ above all else, says Jim Roberts.