Decision details

To increase membership fees as set out at Appendix A (exclusive of VAT), across all our Leisure Facilities, from 1st April 2025

In order to offset the uplift in expenditure to the service, we propose to increase all our current memberships by £3.00 a month. This will include all direct debit memberships, annual memberships, and concessionary memberships. Please refer to Appendix A for the new charges.

Direct debit memberships will continue to be offered as non-committed contracts (or monthly rolling contracts), and a joining fee will not be charged to ensure the memberships remain affordable to residents.

Direct debit memberships have not been increased for over 12 years to support our communities through difficult periods, such as the cost of living crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide affordable access to our Leisure Centres. However, the increased cost of staff resources, services, licences, goods, etc., necessitates this increase to ensure the financial stability of the service.

It is forecast that this increase will generate approximately £228,000 a year (breakdown provided in Appendix B) and will be introduced from 1st April 2025.

A competitor analysis has been conducted to ensure we remain competitive against our local competition, particularly Local Authority facilities that provide a swimming pool. The APSE ‘State of the Market’ report identifies an industry average (at the end of 2023) of £33.77 for a typical full membership fee. This demonstrates that our fee of £33.00 remains competitive and offers value for money to our all our residents.

1. A "do nothing" approach is not sustainable for the delivery of chargeable services, particularly where the services are wholly dependent on income generation. Membership fees need to be increased to offset the rise in operational costs.

2. Keep all membership charges as they currently are for 2025 or reduce the monthly fee. Rejected - the proposed £3.00 increase strikes a balance between the financial viability of the facility and value for money for residents.