The Housing and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a range of topics, including a leisure investment strategy, library performance, housing policy, and complaints handling. Councillors reviewed a proposal to invest £36 million in leisure facilities, endorsed a draft tenant compensation policy, and received updates on housing improvements and regulatory compliance.

Leisure Investment Strategy

The committee reviewed findings and recommendations for investment in the council's leisure facilities, including future options for Richmond Pool. The council agreed a new vision and operating model for leisure services in January 2023, branded as Active North Yorkshire (ANY). The strategy categorises sites as either Active Wellbeing Hubs or Retained sites.

Active Wellbeing Hubs

The following sites have been identified for investment as active well being hubs:

• Craven Leisure Centre (Skipton)
• Whitby Leisure Centre
• Selby Leisure Centre
• Ryedale Swim and Fitness (Pickering)

The committee was informed that high level business cases suggest a budget provision of c£36m would be required to undertake the works identified.

Craven Leisure Centre (Skipton)

The proposed works at Craven Leisure Centre are set out at an estimated cost of c£9.9m. The summary for Craven Leisure Centre against these criteria is below:

• Necessity

  • Existing facility is underperforming despite strong demand
  • Insufficient health and fitness space
  • Tired and in poor condition

• Wellbeing

  • Proposals would increase capacity to support AWB
  • Wider range of classes and programmes
  • More accessible for people with disabilities and complex needs

• Finances

  • Strong financial case, significant increases in income
  • Overall financial return over 25 years despite capital repayment costs
  • Decarb initiatives (LED lighting) energy saving of 8,864kwh pa
  • £2.4m asset condition works (20 years). £252k of these in scope

Whitby Leisure Centre

The proposed works at Whitby Leisure Centre are set out at an estimated cost of c£9.7m. The summary for Whitby Leisure Centre against the key criteria is below:

• Necessity

  • Existing facility is in very poor condition, tired, dated and in poor condition
  • Insufficient health and fitness space
  • Performs well considering current condition
  • Lack of competition in the area

• Wellbeing

  • Proposals would increase capacity to support AWB
  • Wider range of classes and programmes including introduction of Padel tennis
  • More accessible for people with disabilities and complex needs

• Finances

  • Clear financial case, significant increases in income
  • Overall financial return over 25 years despite capital repayment costs
  • Decarb initiatives (PV panels) result in energy saving of 188,743kwh pa
  • £1.2m asset condition works (20 years). £100k of these in scope

Selby Leisure Centre

The proposed works at Selby Leisure Centre are set out at an estimated cost of c£2.5m. The summary for Selby Leisure Centre against the key criteria is below:

• Necessity

  • Existing facility is in overall good condition, with good levels of usage
  • Limited studio space restricts range of activity
  • Key site in area of disadvantage
  • Beyond end of life gym equipment

• Wellbeing

  • Proposals would increase capacity to support AWB and a wider range of classes and programmes in an area of health disadvantage
  • Pool pod more accessible for people with disabilities and complex needs

• Finances

  • Small reduction in operating subsidy
  • Benefits in terms of a strategically significant site
  • Decarb initiatives (LED lighting) result in energy saving of 5,880kwh pa
  • £2.1m asset condition works (20 years). £370k of these in scope

Ryedale Swim and Fitness (Pickering)

The proposed works at Ryedale Swim and Fitness are set out at an estimated cost of c£10.2m (core and enhanced elements). The summary for Ryedale Swim and Fitness against the key criteria is below:

• Necessity

  • Existing facility requires improvement and has a semi permanent gym structure which is too small to meet demand.
  • Performs well financially and usage considering current condition.
  • Would enable consolidation of dry side/classes onto one site (from Lady Lumley's School) subject to agreement with the school about community access to outdoor facilities and sports hall.

• Wellbeing

  • Proposals would increase capacity to support AWB (studio and consultation space)
  • Wider range of classes and programmes
  • Would secure the site for the foreseeable future

• Finances

  • With capital repayments the enhanced option is a negative financial position as compared to do nothing (£4.1m over 25 years)
  • Without capital repayments the net improvement in operating position is £15.9m against an £10.2m investment.
  • NB over a 25 year period do nothing is not a realistic option for this site given the semi permanent construction of the gym building.
  • Decarb (LED and PV) result in energy saving of 74,978 kwh
  • £1.13m asset condition works. £94k in scope.

Malton

The option for a new build facility in Malton to replace Derwent Swim and Fitness was also assessed. The works that would be required are set out in the table below, at an estimated cost of c£26.5m. The summary for a new build facility in Malton against the key criteria is below:

• Necessity

  • Derwent facility is functional but dated.
  • Capacity to deliver more from the current Derwent site is constrained with no scope to expand existing site.
  • But could continue to deliver the core offer (with a wider offer at the Pickering site)
  • It should also be noted there is a significant community facility in Malton (Malton Sports Centre) providing a range of dryside activity and well being programmes.

• Wellbeing

  • A new facility could deliver considerably more capacity and a full range of AWB activity.
  • Fully accessible
  • Potential links to other public sector/health services if on a shared site

• Finances

  • Significant capital costs, limited financial case.
  • Could possibly work as a broader public sector hub project rather than a stand alone leisure development
  • From a leisure and well being perspective better value is delivered through refurbishment of the Pickering site and retention of the existing Derwent site.

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FFE)

The committee was informed that there are significant requirements for the replacement of FFE (gym and fitness equipment) across many of the leisure sites. It was proposed that c£2.7m is invested in FFE to deliver a phased programme of upgrades across the Active North Yorkshire sites over the next 5 years.

Richmond Pool Options Appraisal

The committee was informed that Richmond Pool has been closed to the public since April, following a partial collapse of the wooden ceiling batons. Options assessed included:

• Option 1 undertake essential works only and reopen the pool
• Option 2 undertake essential works with refurbishment of changing rooms and accessibility improvements
• Option 3a reconfigure the teaching pool to increase health and fitness offer
• Option 3b reconfigure to remove both pools and increase health and fitness space and flexible space (rental/office etc)
• Option 4 decommission and demolish
• Options 5 disposal of the site for sale/long lease

The recommendation is that option one is preferred and that essential works are undertaken to the pool to enable it to reopen as quickly as possible.

Annual Review of Libraries

Hazel Smith, Head of Libraries, presented the 2024-2025 Annual Libraries Review. Key statistics included:

• 1,797,332 visits to libraries
• 72,942 active users
• 1,007 individuals received the Home Library Service
• 7,884 Summer Reading Challenge participants
• 1,986,378 items borrowed
• 4,153 helped with Household Support Fund
• 2,313 Blue Badge applications supported

The review noted that library stock issues continue to increase and last year reached almost 2 million.

Housing Revenue Account Policy Framework Update

The committee received an update on the progress made in delivering a harmonised Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Policy Framework. The framework supports greater transparency when it comes to compliance and performance monitoring.

The following policies have been successfully approved following consultation:

• Rent Collection and Arrears Recovery Policy
• Allocations Policy
• Domestic Abuse Policy
• Housing Complaints Policy
• Housing Assistance and Disabled Facilities Grant Policy
• Tenancy Strategy
• Anti-Social Behaviour Policy
• Good Neighbourhood Management Policy
• Tenancy Policy
• Tenant Involvement Strategy
• Repairs Standard
• Disrepair Policy
• Compensation Policy
• Lettable Standard

The committee was informed that work is currently underway on several important areas, including the Interim Asset Management Strategy, the Right to Buy Policy, the Tenancy Agreement, and a Learning and Development Strategy.

Housing Improvement & Regulatory Update

The committee received an update on the progress made in delivering the Housing Improvement Strategy and the Improvement Plan.

Andrew Rowe, Assistant Director for Housing, presented the Housing Improvement Monitoring Q1 2025-26 report, which outlined the key areas of work and outputs achieved within the first Quarter of 2025/26 through extracts from the Housing Improvement Plan. It also brought together the Landlord Services Tier One Performance Supplement – Quarter One, the Regulatory Compliance Risk Assessment extracted from the Corporate Risk Register and the Tenant Satisfaction Measures Quarter One report.

The Housing Improvement Strategy sets out the longer-term roadmap for developing Landlord Services at North Yorkshire Council. The Improvement plan provides the broad strategic framework for change and is split into 7 separate workstreams:

• Governance and Oversight
• Understanding Stock Quality
• Keeping Homes Safe and Compliant
• Understanding Tenants and Responding to Diverse Needs
• Effective Repairs and Maintenance
• Working with other to ensure safe neighbourhoods.
• Allocating homes fairly and Managing Tenancies

Complaints Update

The committee received a Housing Complaints Handling Update Q1 2025/26 report. During Quarter One 2025/26 the Housing Service received a total of 89 new Stage One complaints. 18 of those complaints were regarding General Fund Housing Services whilst 71 were from social housing tenants/ leaseholders. 64% of all complaints received were regarding the Housing Standards Service and 16% were regarding Housing Management.