Item 08 - Education Lets
West Dunbartonshire Council · 13 December 2023
Back to Educational Services Committee — 13 December 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer – Education Education Committee: 13th December 2023 Subject: Education Lets 1. Purpose 1.1 This report provides an overview of the provision of lets across the Council’s educational establishments and asks Committee to consider a revision to the current pricing model. 2. Recommendation 2.1 It is recommended that committee agrees a 10% reduction in let charges for under 18 groups. 3. Background 3.1 A standard 10% increase on all Council fees and charges was agreed as part of setting the Council’s 2023/24 budget on 1 March 2023. This included charges applied to book sports and other facilities within the Council’s Learning Estate. 3.2 School facilities are widely used by a wide variety of local, grassroots sports clubs. These clubs support residents across West Dunbartonshire including younger residents. 3.3 Following the 10% increase in charges being communicated the Council received significant levels of feedback via multiple channels highlighting the potential impact this would have on groups/clubs ability to maintain the use of these establishments. 3.4 Although groups, on the whole, have retained their existing lets this feedback has continued and has further highlighted the impact this is having on the families who are having to pay increased fees due to the need for clubs to pay higher charges. 4. Main Issues 4.1 In response to the feedback received a review of let charges was conducted including benchmarking against other Scottish councils. This highlighted West Dunbartonshire as one of the only councils not offering some form of discounted rate for youth groups. The review also considered the revenue impact of any changes to pricing. 4.2 Any reduction would result in a reduction in revenue for the Council although increased community engagement would be the converse benefit. ITEM 8
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Furthermore work is being performed to consider operational parameters to ensure the Council is maximising revenue opportunities (i.e. non term time lets/Sunday lets) and this work will continue to be progressed. Capacity across our estate remains an issue and planning restrictions could be reviewed as this would enable further opportunities for revenue as well as increased community use of excellent under utilised facilities 4.3 U18 groups account for around 60% of the total lets within educational establishments with the remaining 40% being lets taken out by ‘adult’ groups. Restricting any reduction to U18 groups may lead to dissatisfaction from those groups who do not qualify. 4.4 It is recommended that Committee agrees to the application of a 10% reduction in let charges for U18 groups. Offering a discounted rate for youth groups would bring the Council more in line with other Scottish councils and help alleviate financial pressures on families. It is estimated that this would cost the Council £5,000 per annum. 4.5 In order to show the detail of the changes being recommended, there is a table included below which shows current pricing and also the revised pricing should the 10% reduction be applied for U18 groups. In order to show comparison, there is also the inclusion of current pricing of WD Leisure facilities. There is also a high level breakdown of locations available – this will highlight that majority of locations are at High Schools as majority of Primary Schools are not utilised for lets despite facilities being available. There are restrictions with most Primary Schools not having floodlights available ( only Bellsmyre Campus, Gavinburn and Gartocharn have these ) although it is worth noting that outdoor facilities at Primary Schools could be utilised during lighter months in order to boost revenue. Planning restrictions in place at some high schools also limit ability to maximise revenue from these facilities – see tables below : WDC GRASS PITCHES Current Pricing Equivalent Hourly Rate Recommended 10% Discounted Charge for U18 Groups Hourly Rate with 10% Discount for U18 Groups Available Locations Additional Notes p/2hr £45.78 £22.89 £41.20 £20.60 SPTA, CHS & VOLA Grass pitch at DA but unavailable for community due to planning restrictions for addition hr add £22.88 £22.88 £20.59 £20.59 For floodlights add per hour £7.37 £7.37 £6.63 £6.63
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SYNTHETIC PITCHES Current Pricing Equivalent Hourly Rate Recommended 10% Discounted Charge for U18 Groups Hourly Rate with 10% Discount for U18 Groups Available Locations Additional Notes Weekend Match Bookings ( 2.5 hours on Full Pitch ) £152.22 £60.89 £137.00 £54.80 VOLA, CHS & OLSP DA unavailable entirely due to planning restrictions and limited use only at SPTA due to existing restrictions Weekend Match Bookings ( 2.5 hours on Full Pitch - with Sessional Discount ) £114.16 £45.66 £102.74 £41.10 VOLA, CHS & OLSP DA unavailable entirely due to planning restrictions and limited use only at SPTA due to existing restrictions 1/2 pitch p/hr £30.42 £30.42 £27.38 £27.38 VOLA, CHS, OLSP, Gavinburn, Gartocharn & Bellsmyre Campus DA unavailable entirely due to planning restrictions and limited use only at SPTA due to existing restrictions 1/2 pitch p/hr with floodlights £42.31 £42.31 £38.08 £38.08 VOLA, CHS, OLSP, Gavinburn, Gartocharn & Bellsmyre Campus DA unavailable entirely due to planning restrictions and limited use only at SPTA due to existing restrictions. No other Primary Schools floodlit 1/2 pitch p/hr with sessional discount £23.78 £23.78 £21.40 £21.40 VOLA, CHS, OLSP, Gavinburn, Gartocharn & Bellsmyre Campus DA unavailable entirely due to planning restrictions and limited use only at SPTA due to existing restrictions 1/2 pitch p/hr with floodlights with sessional discount £35.66 £35.66 £32.09 £32.09 VOLA, CHS, OLSP, Gavinburn, Gartocharn & Bellsmyre Campus DA unavailable entirely due to planning restrictions and limited use only at SPTA due to existing restrictions. No other Primary Schools floodlit
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Full pitch p/hr £60.89 £60.89 £54.80 £54.80 VOLA, CHS, OLSP, Gavinburn, Gartocharn & Bellsmyre Campus DA unavailable entirely due to planning restrictions and limited use only at SPTA due to existing restrictions Full pitch p/hr with floodlights £82.48 £82.48 £74.23 £74.23 VOLA, CHS, OLSP, Gavinburn, Gartocharn & Bellsmyre Campus DA unavailable entirely due to planning restrictions and limited use only at SPTA due to existing restrictions. No other Primary Schools floodlit Full pitch p/hr with sessional discount £47.55 £47.55 £42.80 £42.80 VOLA, CHS, OLSP, Gavinburn, Gartocharn & Bellsmyre Campus DA unavailable entirely due to planning restrictions and limited use only at SPTA due to existing restrictions Full pitch p/hr with floodlights with sessional discount £71.36 £71.36 £64.22 £64.22 VOLA, CHS, OLSP, Gavinburn, Gartocharn & Bellsmyre Campus DA unavailable entirely due to planning restrictions and limited use only at SPTA due to existing restrictions. No other Primary Schools floodlit WD Leisure GRASS PITCHES Current Pricing Hourly Rate Over 18s (2hrs) £41.50 £20.75 Under 18s £20.00 £10.00 SYNTHETIC PITCHES Current Pricing Hourly Rate Over 18’s Full pitch. Sat/Sun only. Per 2 hrs £108.50 £54.25 Under 18's Game. Full Pitch. Sat/Sun only. £87 £43.50
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2 Hour Bookings Over 18's Game 1/3 of Pitch 7-a- side p/hr £36.50 £36.50 Under 18's Game 1/3 of Pitch 7-a- side p/hr £22 £22 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no direct people implications arising from this report 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 A 10% reduction applied to U18 groups would create a revenue pressure estimated to be £5,000 per annum. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 Failure to engaging positively with residents, communities and partnerships is a key strategic risk for the Council. This proposal would show that we have listened to the concerns of groups and acted accordingly. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 Report has been included with this paper ( Appendix 1 ) 9. Consultation 9.1 We consult and engage regularly with our groups as part of the account management of their particular let. 9.2 Section 95 Officer and Legal Services have been consulted 10. Strategic Assessment • Engaging effectively with communities is a critical element of the Council’s strategic plan to ensure delivery of all strategic priorities. • Meaningful community engagement and empowerment • Ability to listen and implement best available solutions whilst continuing to provide critical services to improve lives, health and
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wellbeing of residents Name: Laura Mason Designation: Chief Education Officer Date: 09/11/2023 Person to Contact: Richard Butler ( Richard.Butler@west-dunbarton.gov.uk ) Appendices: EIA Background Papers: N/A Wards Affected: All