Published: Friday 24th April 2020 | 10.59am
Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet agreed at their meeting yesterday (Thursday), to provide financial assistance to Inspiring healthy lifestyles (IHL) following the temporary closure of its Culture and Leisure Facilities.
IHL manages Chase Leisure Centre, Rugeley Leisure Centre, 5s Pavilion, the Prince of Wales Theatre, the Museum of Cannock Chase and community activities on behalf of the Council.
In line with Government guidance IHL has temporarily shutdown all of these Culture and Leisure Facilities and has furloughed staff. Inevitably this has had a significant impact on the ability of the Trust to achieve any income to support its operation. As a result of this, the leisure provider has requested assistance from the Council to help with the cash flow challenges and implications resulting from these closures.
The Council has therefore decided to provide a package of financial assistance to support IHL up until the end of June.
In return there is an agreement that IHL staff will support the Council in the delivery of its essential services and particularly for the new Chase Community Vulnerability Hub, launched by the Council last week, and the work of its partners reaching out to the vulnerable.
Councillor Christine Mitchell, Leader of Culture and Sport said: “The Council has agreed that it is essential to take positive steps to provide some financial support to IHL during the period of closure to ensure future service delivery and business continuity.
“These services will have an essential role to play to reconnect with communities and bring people together through culture, sport and physical activities once the current lockdown position changes.
“It is therefore more important than ever that the Council provides our long term partner with the support they require to mitigate significant financial difficulties and risk during this difficult time”.
Some officers from IHL who have been furloughed are now volunteering and offering their practical and professional skills in supporting the work being delivered by Chase Coronavirus Support Network (CCSN), a partner to the Chase Community Vulnerability Hub. This includes helping to produce a resident’s newsletter, community activities, as well as close working with the Council’s Community Safety Team.
The work supports the partnership approach that the Council is taking to respond to COVID-19 working with Staffordshire County Council, Support Staffordshire, CCSN and other local support groups.