Belfast leisure centre users.... Any thoughts ??

warmhands.coldheart

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26273500

Belfast Dwellers,
Any thoughts??

They could certainly do with a spruce up, well any of those I've been in.....
Would a "Trust" run them any better ??
Should they all just be privatised off ??
Are there too many (Back to the old, one facility for each "side" in each area)
Are the Unions being a bit "negative" about it all... (As Usual)

Johnnypanic_2

There certainly needs to be something done, but I don't agree with privatising, etc., as there will just be run on a "making money" model and that could adversely affect some of the leisure centres in some areas.

Unions being negative? Their main role is to protect their rights of their workers, so what else do you expect them to do, just let staff get railroaded into private firms. Would love to see your opinion if it was your job on the line.

RikM

The trouble with outsourcing is that the private companies have to make a profit... So you never get more for less money... Business plans tend to imply that this will happen, but they tend to be flawed in reality. Savings are only generally possible if you have a firm coming in which can apply off-shoring or economies of scale...
On the other hand, they may be able to bring in outside investment, but then, it's still got to be paid for, in the long run.

Keeping in house can be inefficient, through bureaucracy and habit, and can reduce access to capital for major works..., but at least you retain control.

From a work force point of view... TUPE gives some protection in the short term. There can be advantages to staff (or the better/smarter ones at least) in privatisation, depending on circumstances. It can give opportunities for progression which weren't present in the public sector body. But it's very much dependent on who takes over and what they are like as an employer, which doesn't tend to be a priority for the council in finding a buyer.

in_need_of_direction

Not sure what the better option is but think it needs investigated as in some cases, the monthly fee is lower for private gyms with longer opening hours than bcc ones. Also, there is little to no co ordination of their timetables with classes in same disciplines being offered on same days. My other bugbear is that employers based in belfast can get reduced subscriptions for their employees irrespective of where they live while domestic ratepayers from belfast must pay full whack. Here end etch the rant

warmhands.coldheart

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

.... the monthly fee is lower for private gyms with longer opening hours than bcc ones.

Really, I didn't know that.

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

.... Also, there is little to no co ordination of their timetables with classes in same disciplines being offered on same days. .....

Now this I DO agree with and it's the one thing they are good at.... :rotfl:. if something could be made bl00dy awkward, they'll do it..

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

.. My other bugbear is that employers based in Belfast can get reduced subscriptions for their employees irrespective of where they live while domestic ratepayers from Belfast must pay full whack.....

Hmm. a gripe of mine too. I take my elder two to swimming lessons once a week at a BCC Leisure Centre. while they are in their lessons, I take my 1 year old into the toddler pool for 10~15 mins.... I literally sit at the edge of the pool with the baby. Baby gets free as per usually but I still have to pay full price ???? I don't mind paying a bit but the Full Swim price for standing as the side of the pool for 10 mins!! Seriously !!
A bit of a common sense approach would be nice !!

warmhands.coldheart

Johnnypanic wrote: »

......Unions being negative? Their main role is to protect their rights of their workers, so what else do you expect them to do, just let staff get railroaded into private firms.........

Well first thing they could do would be come up with a few ideas or solutions rather than just Negative, Negative. Negative....
It's the one thing that gets me about a lot (not all) of these Unions, Very Quick to criticise, not great at coming up with actual solutions !!

in_need_of_direction

Am I the only one wondering why bcc is handing 10k to a trade union to assist their fight for their members? I thought that was what Union dues were for not rate income?

warmhands.coldheart

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

Am I the only one wondering why bcc is handing 10k to a trade union to assist their fight for their members? I thought that was what Union dues were for not rate income?

Keeping the constituents happy in the run up to an election !!