"Bright new future" is still

just light at end of tunnel

Last week’s committee meeting which considered a report on the performance of the Boston Sports Initiative heard that its proposed takeover by the private firm Leisure Connection – hailed by the borough at the start of the year as “all systems go for a bright new future for leisure services in Boston,” is still on the starting blocks.

The contract is dependent on staff pensions being assured by a certificate issued by the Government Actuaries Department, and so far this has not happened.

Presumably this means that instead of saving a small fortune these past few months, the borough is continuing to foot the bill for the Princess Royal Sports Arena, and we wonder why what ought to be a simple piece of admin procedure is taking so long.
Meanwhile, criticisms of Leisure Connection (slogan:- "Private sector quality in a public access environment") continue to mount.
A recent report to North Kesteven District Council , which lists a summary of the Leisure and Cultural Services activity from April 2009 – March 2010 in partnership with Leisure Connection, notes that Northgate Sports Hall did not meet four of its key performance indicator targets... including the percentage of customers who rated the repair and maintenance good or above. The target was 75% , but the 2009-2010 rating was 48%
Sleaford Leisure Centre did not meet four of its key performance characteristics.
They included the percentage of customers who rated the repair and maintenance good or above. The target was 75% but the 2009-2010 rating was 51.5%
Harpers fitness centre in Sleaford did not meet two of its key performance characteristics. The target for the percentage of customers who rated the repair and maintenance good or above was 75% - but the 2009-2010 rating is 13.5%. And whilst the target for the percentage of customers who rated the wetside programme as good or above was 75% , the current position is 43. 5%
North Kesteven Centre did not meet six of its key performance targets
During the period there were 312 complaints compared to 66 in the previous year.
North Kesteven Centre received 91 complaints – again mostly about pool temperature and cleanliness.
Sleaford Leisure Centre drew 40 complaints – with common themes being pool temperature and cleanliness, whilst Harpers got 19 complaints - mostly about showers and the pool being cold.
You can read the entire litany of disaster about Leisure Connection by clicking here .
We wonder whether it might be time to think about all this again before it’s too late.

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