Decision details

The Chief Executive introduced a report to enable the Committee to review the progress of Aura Leisure and Libraries Limited since establishment in September 2017.  The Chief Executive provided background information and context  and invited Mike Welch, Managing Director,  and Neil Williams, Company Secretary, to report on the performance of Aura Leisure and Libraries Limited over the past year (2018/19), and the Business Plan and financial projections for 2019/20. 

The Managing Director and Company Secretary gave a presentation which covered the following main points:

·         Aura Executive update

·         Mold Leisure Centre

·         Jade Jones Pavilion

·         Libraries

·         Financial Performance 2018/19

·         Annual General Meeting

·         Aura Business Plan 2019/23

Councillor Tudor Jones spoke of the value and excellent service provided by the mobile library service to local communities and congratulated the Managing Director and his team on the improvements to services.

Members asked a number of questions around funding, pay policy,  National Living Wage, pensions, recruitment and retention of staff, marketing,  governance, and car parking .  Councillors Paul Shotton and Ian Dunbar asked for an update on Connah’s Quay Sports Hall. 

During discussion the Chief Executive advised that the Council continued to have a close and productive working relationship with the Aura Board and Management Team and Aura was proactive in   involving the Council in its business decisions.  He said the Council would continue to play a full role in supporting the organisation to sustain performance over the coming years.

Members congratulated the Managing Director and his team on  the progress and achievements gained and commented on the ongoing successful performance of the Company. 

The Chairman thanked Mike Welch and Neil Williams for their presentation and for answering the questions from Members.

Councillor Tudor Jones requested that a support mechanism should be made available to other Alternative Delivery Model Services within the County to ensure their continued success.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor David Wisinger and duly seconded. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee recognises the progress made by Aura Leisure and Libraries Limited since its establishment in September 2017 and commends the performance achieved; and

(b)       That the challenges sustaining business performance be noted. 

(c)       That the Council and Aura have discussions regarding the future of the

Connah’s Quay Leisure Centre with local Members. 

(d)      That support is made available to all Alternative Delivery Models within the County to ensure their continued success.