NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME BOROUGH COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM’S

REPORT TO CABINET

16 October 2019

Report Title:	Armed Forces Covenant - Sport and Leisure Card

Submitted by:	Dave Adams, Executive Director Operational Services

Portfolios:	Leisure and Culture

Ward(s) affected:	All

Purpose of the Report To consider the introduction of a discount card for the armed forces for use at Jubilee2
Recommendation To agree the armed forces discount card scheme
Reasons Newcastle Borough Council has adopted the Armed Forces Covenant and endeavours to uphold the key principles of the Covenant

Background

1.1	One of the recommendations on the Armed Forces Covenant motion was the introduction of a leisure pass for Armed Forces personnel. This is something that has been taken up by other Staffordshire Councils over recent years, and indeed nationally.

Issues

Newcastle Borough Council endeavours to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are that no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen and in some circumstances, special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.

Proposal

3.1	In Newcastle under Lyme this can be introduced as a category of the J2 Lyme Card i.e. an Armed Forces serving, or Armed Forces discharged subscription which would be managed through our Gladstone Leisure Management System.

Looking at best practice elsewhere, the following solution is proposed for Jubilee2:

Free access to fitness centre (gym) and swimming pools for all serving Armed Forces personnel and reservists, once registered for a free Lyme Card.

A free 12 month membership for all Armed Forces personnel within 12 months of discharge. This is for everyone who has left any of the three armed services.

Where discharge is longer than 12 months ago, these personnel can apply for membership at NBC's corporate discount rate.

Reasons for Proposed Solution

4.1	The Council has adopted the Armed Forces Covenant and access to Leisure facilities will make a positive contribution to towards upholding the key principles of the Covenant

Options Considered

5.1	Not Applicable

Legal and Statutory Implications

6.1	None

Equality Impact Assessment

7.1	The proposal will have a positive equality impact as it will make the use of the Councils facilities at J2 accessible to serving and retired armed forces personal and reservists.In line with the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant

Financial and Resource Implications

8.1	None

Major Risks

9.1	There are no major risks associated with the proposal.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

10.1	None

Key Decision Information

11.1	This is not a key decision under the relevant provision.

Earlier Cabinet/Committee Resolutions

21.1	At the Full Council meeting on 24th July 2019, a motion was passed to reaffirm the Councils support for the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

List of Appendices

13.1	None

Background Papers

14.1	Armed Forces Covenant