BOROUGH OF POOLE
ENVIRONMENT OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
8TH DECEMBER 2008
REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES
REVIEW OF THE ACCESS TO LEISURE AND LEARNING
1
Purpose and Policy Context
1.1
In November 2007, the Environment Overview Group granted approval to
review the management, administration, promotion and operational viability of
the Borough’s Access to Leisure and Learning Scheme (ATL&L). The purpose
of this report is to provide members with the findings of the ATL&L review.
2
Decisions Required
2.1
Members are requested to accept the findings of the ATL & L review report.
2.2
Members are asked to make recommendations to Cabinet regarding the
scheme eligibility, enrolment and usage – see points 5.2.4 and 5.3.4
2.3
Members are asked to note 5.4.2
3
Background
3.1
The ATL&L scheme was launched by the Borough of Poole in 1997, with the
primary aim of offering discounted rates on leisure activities for people
disadvantaged by low income or disability.
3.2
A resident living in the ‘BH’ post code area, who is in receipt of one of the
stated benefits is eligible to join the scheme. Card holders receive up to 75%
discount on standard charges and cards are valid for one year.
3. 3
ATL&L discount is available at a range of venues located within the Borough.
4
Information
4.1
Conducting the Review
The review was conducted using the following processes:
4.1.1
Customer surveys


A postal questionnaire was sent to existing members (those registered
between 1 April 07 and 31st March 08) in June 2008.
Questions were included in the Spring 2008 Poole Opinion Panel survey
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regarding awareness and usage of the scheme.
4.1.2
Database Analysis
Analysis of the current members database, the benefits database and Mosaic
Lifestyle Datasets.
4.1.3
Reports on the findings of both 4.1.1. & 4.1.2 are available to download on the
Loop – within the Research and Consultation Library, under “Leisure” - and
have been summarised in the ATL&L Review Summary Report - Appendix 1.
4.1.4
Process Mapping
Procedural assessment to drive improvements in scheme administration, e.g.
eligibility verification, issuing centres, customer communication.
4.1.5
Benchmarking
Comparing the scheme against other leisure discount schemes run by Borough
of Poole’s family group. Research has taken place – see Appendix 3.
4.1.6
Consultation with key partners
Including SLM, Lighthouse, card issuing centres, scheme administrators,
internal service units and other leisure discount scheme providers including
Bournemouth Borough Council.
4.2
ATL&L Members
4.2.1
The attached summary report (Appendix 1) provides the following information
based on members registered between 01 April 07 and 31 March 08:
2339
1719
18
- main cardholders, individual or Family members
- additional relation members
- Groups
Total 4076 members:
4.2.2
Membership profile – key facts:
 83% of members live in Poole.
 90% of all members under 60 years of age.
 Housing and Council Tax Benefit (565 members)
Tax credits (548 members)
Income Support (530 members)
Disability Living Allowance ( 417 members)
(The Council’s benefits database has 11,194 claimants)
 Low Income benefits account for 64% of members.
 Disability benefits account for 29% of members.
 Only 185 students over age 18 are members
 Mosaic profile identifies the majority of members can be classified as
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

either ‘Happy Families’ (21%), ‘Ties of Community’(18%) and ‘Blue
Collar Enterprise’ (18%)
Membership turnover is high
The summary report highlights that there is low take up in the over 60’s,
students and people on low income target groups.
4.2.3
Member usage – key facts:
 Usage of the scheme is high, with 46% of main members using their
card at least once a week and a further 25% using their card once a
month.
 The most popular venues are: Dolphin Swimming Pool (57%),
Lighthouse (47%), and Rossmore (40%).
 The main reasons for non-use are health reasons (40%) and lack off
time(27%), which are outside of the Council’s control.
 Satisfaction with venues is extremely high –with the Lighthouse at 95%,
Dolphin Swimming Pool at 91% and Rossmore 89%.
4.2.4
Member satisfaction – key facts:
 overall satisfaction - 83%
 opening hours - 82%
 quality – 80%
 discounts – 76%
 range of activities – 74%
 availability of activities – 71%
 main reasons for dissatisfaction include discounts and lack of
information.
5
Proposal and Options
5.1
Eligibility criteria
5.1.1
The review has uncovered demand from various groups providing a number of
options regarding eligibility. Members are asked to consider the following
changes to the list of eligible groups (Appendix 2)
5.1.2
SLM, the council’s main leisure partner, have been consulted and are
supportive of the inclusion of the groups below.
5.2
Looked after Children
5.2.1
Foster Carers who are registered with Social Services are eligible to receive an
ATL & L card. This includes the foster carers own children.
5.2.2
The looked after child themselves are not currently issued their own cards and
therefore are limited to attending the ATL & L venues only with their foster
carer. However, this disadvantages this group of young people and limits their
independence.
5.2.3
Foster Carers who are registered with an Independent Agency are not eligible
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to join the scheme. However, in this situation, as an exception, Social Services
have referred the child for their own card.
5.2.4
Members are asked to choose one of the following options:


A – no change. The looked after child residing with a Social Services
registered family, remains ineligible for their own card.
B – issue cards to all looked after children, of an appropriate age, as
determined by Social Services, including those living with a family
registered with an Independent Fostering Agency (the independent
fostering agency carer and the family members would remain ineligible).
5.2.5
Members are asked to note there is no issue with Data Protection for the
children involved. Social Services will continue to make referrals and will
recommend those children they feel are of a suitable age to receive their own
card. Younger children would continue to receive access via the main carers
own card.
5.3
Elderly people in care homes
5.3.1
Elderly residents with a disability who no longer live in their own home and now
reside in residential homes with a BH postcode, no longer receive payments of
disability benefits directly to them.
5.3.2
On entering a home, their financial circumstances are assessed and a
contribution towards their care may be funded by the Local Authority.
5.3.3
Group membership cards are available for residential homes, but this only
allows a resident to visit venues with a residential care home worker. In some
cases a resident may be taken out by a family member and in this case that
individual would not have their own ATL&L card. Adult Social Care Services
state that a resident of a care home should have no less access to community
facilities enjoyed by others.
5.3.4
Members are therefore asked to decide whether a disabled resident living
in a care home should be eligible to individually join the scheme.
(Residents would be referred by Social Services.)
5.4
Carers
5.4.1
Carers receiving Carers Allowance are eligible to join the scheme. However
there are many people who do a ‘substantial amount of care on a regular
basis’ who do not qualify for Carers Allowance. e.g. someone who is receiving
a pension is not entitled to Cares Allowance, even though they may be looking
after their partner full time; or someone who has a job, and is earning over
£97/week may also not qualify for Carers Allowance.
5.4.2
Members are asked to note that arrangements have been made for all Carers
to be allowed access to the scheme. This is determined via Social Services
referral letter.
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5.5
BH Postcodes
5.5.1
In recent years there has been discussion about restricting membership to
those who live within the Borough of Poole. Currently membership is open to
all those living within BH postcodes – see 3.2 above.
5.5.2
Interrogation of the membership database has shown that 83% of current
members live in Poole, with membership hotspots in wards located near to the
Borough’s leisure centres (Newtown, Alderney, Poole Town Centre, Canford
Heath).
5.5.3
The remaining 17% is made up from members living in the following areas:
Bournemouth
Upton
Wimboune
Other BH area
9%
2.5%
2%
3.5%
5.5.4
SLM have made no indication that they wish to see the scheme restricted and
have welcomed the centres being used by those who, without ATL&L
membership might not .
5.5.5
We do not therefore propose a change to current arrangements but will
continue to monitor membership by geographic area and to focus promotion of
the scheme to local residents.
6.0
Enrolling
6.1
Satisfaction by ATL&L members with the enrolment process is high (80 %).
The main areas of concern are the length of time it takes to be enrolled,
inconsistencies with enrolment times and duplication in the administration
process. A number of processes have been identified that could further
improve enrolment.
6.1.1
These include:
 a digitalised card Issuing and Reader System (such as that being used
by Transportation for the issue of Bus Passes)
 a postal enrolment service
6.2
Further developments, including the provision of an on-line service via the
Customer First Programme will also be considered.
This would further
improve efficiency and provide valuable data collection and usage monitoring.
7.0
Development of the scheme
7.1
One of the main reasons for carrying out a review of the scheme was to
develop ideas for reducing the gap between the number of people eligible and
the number of people registered on the scheme. There are a number of
measures that will be implemented or explored to develop new ways of
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working, improve awareness and develop the membership offer.
include:
These
7.2
Collaborative working
7.2.1
Since the last review, Poole Adult Learning have been added to the list of
providers offering ATL & L discounts. This has proved a popular addition.
Talks are underway regarding the possibility of Poole and Bournemouth Adult
Learning merging, and discussions have just started with Bournemouth for ATL
& L members to be offered discounts for their services.
7.3
New Outlets
7.3.1
The survey identified new venues where members would most like to be able
to use their card. These included the facilities at Tower Park. Other avenues,
such as retail outlets, particularly those connected to Sport and Leisure could
be approached to support the scheme.
7.4
Leases & Grants
7.4.1
Local sports clubs are being encouraged to support ATL&L. Support for
ATL&L (e.g. the offer of reduced cost membership fees) will be used as part of
the assessment criteria of each BoP grant application.
7.4.2
Future leases with sports clubs, on council owned facilities, will include where
practicable, an agreement to ensure the club will support the scheme by
offering discounts on membership fees. Lease agreements for concessions
operating within Poole’s Open Spaces, such as Poole Park, already ensure
support for the scheme.
7.5
Promotion of the scheme
7.5.1
The summary report has made recommendations on future promotions. Some
of the recommendations have already been put in place including reviewing the
distribution of leaflets to increase awareness. New distribution outlets have
been identified. Leaflets have been distributed with this year’s Council Tax and
Housing Benefit renewals.
7.5.2
Promotion and awareness will be extended further by:





7.5.3
Simplifying the leaflet and application form
Displaying posters at each venue to remind users of the venues.
Exploring opportunities to target potential members
Target under represented groups.
Issuing card holders renewal reminders.
Early in 2008, the ATL&L logo was rebranded and new promotional items
including banners, bookmarks and pens have been produced. Libraries are
handing out bookmarks and where possible, health and sporting events are
attended by BoP officers to raise awareness.
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8
Financial Implications
8.1
The aim of the review was to enable an increase in the number of card holders
on the scheme and to increase visits to the participating venues by each
member.
8.2
The target is to increase memberships by 500 each year for the next 3 years.
This will have implications on both application revenues and levels of subsidy.
However, the Council’s liability is limited due to the Service Contract with SLM.
9
Legal Implications
9.1
None.
10
Policy Implications
10. 1
These proposals will help deliver on the Councils Corporate objective of
Promoting Health & Wellbeing by providing more access to discounted leisure
and sports activities for people on low incomes, those with a disability or in fulltime education.
11
Staffing Implications
11.1
None. Changes to the scheme will be absorbed within current staffing levels.
12
Promoting Equalities and Respecting Diversity
12. 1
The scheme helps to reduce inequalities by promotion of the Councils
Corporate objective of Promoting Health & Wellbeing.
13
Conclusion
13.1
The results of the public consultation has confirmed that Access to Leisure &
Learning remains a highly valued scheme and is well appreciated by its
members, contributing to improved quality of life.
11.2
The results have highlighted a number of groups where take up is low, such as
students, over 60’s and claimants of housing and council tax benefits.
Promotional ideas will be explored to further target these groups.
11.3
The scheme has been benchmarked against other authorities to ensure it
remains up to date and offers comparable services. Although satisfaction by
members with the enrolling process is high, changes will be implemented to
improve service and efficiency.
11.4
New eligible groups and potential discounted venues have been identified.
CLIVE SMITH
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HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES
Contact Officer:
Anthony Rogers
Recreation Manager
Name (01202) 261345
Background Papers:
Appendix 1 - ATL & L review - summary report
Appendix 2 - Current eligibility criteria
Appendix 3 - Leisure Discount schemes within Dorset and other Local
Authorities
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APPENDIX 1
ATL & L review – summary report
(see separate document)
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APPENDIX 2
Access to Leisure and Learning – Eligibility
Who can join
If you live in the BH postcode and receive one of the following benefits:

Tax credits (WTC and CTC, CTC only or WTC and disability element) also
household
gross annual income for 2008/09 must be £16,330 or less*

Housing or Council Tax Benefit*

Income Support or Guarantee Pension Credit*

Job Seekers Allowance (income based)*

Job Seekers Allowance (contribution based)

NHS HC2 Certificate

Attendance Allowance

Disability Living Allowance

Incapacity Benefit - Higher or Long Term Rate

Industrial Injuries Benefit

Carer's Allowance

Severe Disablement Allowance

War Disablement Pension

Social Services Cardholders

Full-time student in further or higher education - aged 18 or over

Modern Apprenticeship
*starred benefits mean that dependants living with the benefit claimant can
also join.
Please Note: You can also apply for a card if you have had a carers
assessment by Social Services and have been issued with a Social Services
referal letter.
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APPENDIX 3
Leisure Discount Schemes Within Dorset
Bournemouth
Bournemouth Borough Council offers the Freestyle card at two levels –
Privilege and Priority. The scheme is free to join and is available to both
residents and non-residents of Bournemouth, including Borough of Poole
residents. Applicants’ details are entered at the point of card issue, when a
digital photo is taken and the Freestyle card produced on a card printer. The
application process takes a few minutes to complete. Cards are provided
free.
The Freestyle Privilege card is available to over 60’s, is valid for three years
from date of issue and offers a 20%-40% discount on activities. 2,902
members currently have Privilege cards.
The Freestyle Priority Card is available to recipients of low-income benefits
and their dependents aged under 16, people with disabilities, full-time
students in further or higher education and full-time carers. Cardholders
receive discounts of between 40%-50% on activities. Currently there are
5,104 Priority cardholders.
Purbeck
Purbeck District Council offer concessionary rates at Purbeck Sports Centre
for people who receive Job Seekers Allowance or Income Support. Discounts
of 50% are only offered on the swimming pool. There are approximately 22
concessionary cardholders. The card is supplied free.
Weymouth & Portland
Concessions are offered on admission prices to Bowls Clubs, Angling Clubs,
Swimming and theatre shows. for those currently unemployed. Weymouth &
Portland Borough Council are currently undergoing a review of the scheme.
They have 250 card holders and the card is issued free.
West Dorset
West Dorset District Council offer the Leisure Pass for Disabled People and
the long term sick. Those eligible for the concession are required to show
proof on each occasion. Discounts up to 50% are given. The card is issued
free.
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Leisure Discount Schemes in Other Local Authorities
Questionnaires were sent to the eight Unitary Authorities within the Borough
of Poole’s family group, in order to ascertain whether they offered a leisure
discount card and if so, requesting details of the concessions. Responses
were received from four local authorities and these are summarised below:
Local Authority
Isle of Wight
Council
Leisure Card
One Card
Three card
options including
concessionary
scheme –
Option 3.
Who is eligible for the
concessionary card?
Discounts
Offered
Recipients of Income
Support, Job Seekers
(Income Based) Severe
Disablement, Long term
Incapacity Benefit, DLA
(under 16), Disability
element within Working
Tax Credit.
Concessionary
cardholders pay
£10.00pm by DD
(standard charge
£31.50) for
unlimited use of
facilities, including
fitness suite,
fitness classes,
casual swimming,
badminton and
short tennis.
No of
Members
Operated
by Local
Authority?
Are the cards
produced
electronically?
625
Yes
Yes, Leisureflex
management
package
Card is charged for
fee depends on
category of card.
North Somerset
Council
Leisure Key
Open to all
residents and
non-residents
including
concessionary
scheme.
Recipients of Job
Seekers Allowance,
Widow(er)s Benefit,
Housing Benefit,
Income Support, YT/ET
Scheme, Single Parent
Family,
Disability Working
Allowance, Incapacity
Benefit, Severe
Disablement Allowance,
Disability Living
Allowance.
Membership cards
cost £13.00pa
resident or
£15.00pa nonresident and are
free to benefit
recipients. Offers
10% discount on
all admission
charges, free
equipment hire,
etc, discounted
swimming, etc.
4,200
Yes,
although
the leisure
centres are
operated
by leisure
partner.
No
Darlington
Borough Council
LIVEDarlington
Card
Recipients of Housing
Benefit, Council Tax
Benefit Working Tax
Credit, Income Support,
Job Seekers Allowance,
Full Time Carers,
Senior Citizens, people
with disabilities, asylum
seekers, children in
care and Full-Time
students over 16.
Carers. people with
diabilities
25% discount on
all core products.
4,000
Yes
Yes, via XN Leisure,
a leisure software
provider.
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East Riding of
Yorkshire Council
Sure Saver
Card and
Passport to
Leisure Card
Sure Saver: recipients
of Income Support,
Council Tax Benefit,
Housing Benefit, Job
Seekers Allowance and
Full-time Students.
Passport to Leisure:
foster children, carers
and their families.
Sure Saver: 33%
discount on
standard prices of
many activities.
5,000
Yes
Yes, swipe cards,
also used for gym
memberships,
supplied by Fidelity
Systems Ltd.
Passport to
Leisure: 50%
discount.
Card is free
The ATL&L scheme was initially developed on a scheme used by Kirklees
Council for the Kirklees Passport. In recent years, the Kirklees Passport has
been extended to incorporate discounts from other Council services, eg library
loans, pest control and drain clearing, additional short-stay off-street parking
and purchases in Social Services Equipment shops. Details of the Kirklees’
scheme are summarised below:
Local Authority
Kirklees Council
Leisure Card
Kirklees
Passport
Priority
Passport
and
Access
Passport
Who is eligible for the
concessionary card?
Discounts
Offered
Priority Passport:
Recipients of Income
Support, Jobseekers
Allowance (Income
based), Guarantee
Pension Credit, Council
Tax Benefit, Housing
Benefit and dependant on
annual earnings: Working
Tax Credit with Child Tax
Credit, Working Tax Credit
which includes a disability
element, Child Tax Credit
Only.
Both types of card
offer between
10% and 50%
discount. Access
Passport holders
do not receive any
discount on, eg
Adult Education
courses and
Music School
tuition and a lower
discount on Arts &
Entertainments
and Concerts than
Priority Passport
holders.
Access Passport:
Recipients of Job Seekers
Allowance (Contribution
based), Incapacity Benefit,
Severe Disablement
Allowance, Disability
Living Allowance,
Industrial Injuries Benefit,
Attendance Allowance,
Carer’s Allowance, War
Pensioner’s Disablement
Benefit, Full-time students
(over 16), Sign-on at the
Jobcentre, Blue Badge
Holders, registered blind,
partially sighted or deaf.
No of
Members
Operated
by Local
Authority?
7,109
Yes
Are the cards
produced
electronically?
No
Priority =
5,420
Access =
1,689
Priority Passport
costs £2.00 for an
adult and £1.00
for a child.
Access Passport
costs £3.00 for an
adult and £1.50
for a child.
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