Annual Report - Stevenage Leisure

F O R E W O R D B Y T H E C H A I R M A N
SLL has been successfully operating community
leisure and cultural facilities for 13 years now.
During this time, it has made great strides in the
commercial leisure world, with continuous growth
achieved through the development of services
within its existing contracts, and the award of
new contracts in the face of stiff competition. The
company is now facing new challenges, particularly
with the difficult economic situation globally and in
the UK, and its impact on local authority funding
and discretionary areas of consumer spend, such as
leisure.
The Board is determined to achieve greater surpluses year on year,
which are to be reinvested in the people and the facilities. 2010/11
was the first successful step in achieving this aim.
SLL continues to enjoy a very good working partnership with its
key stakeholders, and works closely with each to help deliver their
objectives, health, educational and social agendas.
We will continue to play our part in enriching the lives of the
local communities as part of The Big Society, and to provide the
opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing. We will embrace
the Localism Bill and the Government’s Responsibility Deal and,
as part of the Herts is Ready for Winners Partnership, we will take
advantage of the opportunities and interest generated by the 2012
Olympics, helping more people to become more active.
The final thanks must go to our valued customers
who are using the facilities in increasing numbers.
Over 2.8 million people visited SLL facilities in
2010/11, and focusing on meeting and exceeding
their needs will again be our key priority this coming
year.
This year, we set out to further improve the organisation in terms of
corporate governance, cost reductions, branding and communication.
We have again worked hard this year in partnership with our client
Local Authorities: Stevenage Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire
Council, North Hertfordshire District Council, Hertfordshire County
Council and Rutland County Council. Together, we have continued
to improve the facilities, and this has resulted in significant increases in
sporting and cultural visits across the portfolio.
Roger Gochin
Chairman
4 Annual Report 2010/11