Agenda item

            The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the development and implementation of the £105m leisure assets capital programme.  The report provided details in relation to the planned closure of Andersonstown Leisure Centre, the impact on staffing and users and alternate provision.  The report also updated the members in relation to the Brooke Centre, the Avoniel Leisure Centre, Templemore, the Robinson Centre, Olympia and Girdwood.

            The Committee was reminded that, at is meeting on 21st April, it had agreed to receive presentations from representatives of the NIPSA and Unite Trade Unions in respect of the mobilisation plan for Andersonstown Leisure Centre.

NIPSA

            The Committee was advised that Ms. Naomi Connor, representing NIPSA, was in attendance and she was admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairperson.

            Ms. Connor reminded the Committee that NIPSA had been opposed to GLL taking over Belfast Leisure and still had significant concerns.  She welcomed the fact that all staff from Andersonstown Leisure Centre had been relocated to other centres or had taken voluntary redundancy and that there had not been any compulsory redundancies.  However, she expressed concerns in the manner in which staff had transferred in respect of centre of choice.  In addition, she stated that, following the completion of the new leisure centre, staff had been advised that they would not automatically be redeployed to Andersonstown but would have to apply for the new posts.  She expressed concern that these posts would be under GLL terms and conditions but that the Union position was that staff should retain TUPE rights and be allowed to transfer back to the centre when it was completed.

            Ms. Connor then answered a number of questions from the Members, thanked the Committee for receiving her and retired from the meeting.

            Unite

            The Chairperson advised the Committee that Mr. Michael Keenan and Mr. Harry Magill, representing Unite, were in attendance and they were welcomed to the meeting.

            Mr. Keenan expressed concern at the way the staff at Andersonstown Leisure had been treated as part of the transfer to other centres.  He stated that, whilst the Union welcomed the new facilities which the Council was investing in, it was of the view that morale had been adversely impacted.  He also referred to the transfer of staff to other centres and the need to apply to return to Andersonstown and the Union position was that staff should not be employed under new contracts but should be transferred under TUPE conditions.

            The deputation then answered a number of question from the Members, thanked the Committee for receiving them and retired from the meeting.

            After discussion, during which the Chief Executive and Director of City and Neighbourhood Services answered a number of questions and the Director undertook to investigate some of the issues which had been raised, the Committee:

·        noted the contents of the report and agreed to keep the car parking at Andersonstown opened until August and to move the exterior panels to the Whiterock Community corridor: and

·        agreed that a report, which provided options on how an independent review of the new operating model could be undertaken, taking into account the contractual position between BCC and GLL, be submitted to a future meeting.  The Active Belfast Board would sign off on the review scope