AMENDMENTS TO THE PTL SCHEME - UPDATE MARCH 29TH

Application forms for the new PTL scheme are available on site and to download by clicking here.

AMENDMENTS TO THE PTL SCHEME - UPDATE MARCH 18TH

From April 1^st 2011 the eligibility criteria to apply for a Passport to Leisure card (PTL) is changing. The new Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC) PTL Scheme is available to residents who are in one of the following categories –

• Under 18 years of age & in full time education
• 60 years of age or over
• In receipt of – Disability Living Allowance, Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.

The new PTL card will be available at no charge and will allow PTL holders free or concessionary rates for a range of leisure activities including Swimming, Gym facilities at Jubilee Sport Centre, Squash, Badminton and Tennis. Application Form’s will be available online and at centres from April 1^st. Proof of eligibility and residence is required for all applicants including children. The application form includes full details of suitable documentation to prove eligibility and residence. Restrictions will apply and full details will be available on site and online (information will be available here by April 1st). Applications will be processed at Nuneaton & Bedworth Leisure Trust (NBLT) Head Office with cards available for collection from any NBLT centre after 14 days.

Current PTL holders who no longer qualify will be unable to renew their PTL cards as they expire. NBLT have done everything possible to keep any change in price to a minimum.

Jon Russell, NBLT CEO said “NBLT have not increased prices since 2009 to allow customers the best leisure opportunities in difficult financial times. We have made a conscious decision to review the Non PTL structure to soften the impact on the existing PTL holders who will no longer be eligible.”

NBLT plan to release a NEW Activity Pass Booking Card in April so customers will be able to benefit from the NEW Online Booking System due to be released. This is available to everyone and will allow users to book pitches, courts and activities in advance on site and online without paying up-front. It will also mean exclusive offers and updates for Booking Card holders as well as a deposit for equipment hire. The NBLT Activity Pass Booking Card should help maintain some of the everyday benefits that current PTL users may lose. More information about the benefits of NBLT’s Activity Pass Booking Card will be available onsite and online soon.

If you qualify for a Passport to Leisure card then collect or download an application form from April 1^st 2011.

More information about the PTL review is included below...

Update posted February 2011 below -

AMENDMENTS TO THE PTL SCHEME 

At its Cabinet meeting on the 16^th February 2011 and at its Council meeting on the 23^rd February 2011, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC) decided to make changes to the Passport to Leisure scheme (PTL).

These changes will leave adults in the Borough, between the ages of 19 and 59, who are not in receipt of certain benefits, having to pay a non-subsidised and increasing price for the use of council-owned leisure and sports facilities. These are the people who currently enjoy subsidised use to help them get more active, and now this subsidy will not be available to them.

Nuneaton & Bedworth Leisure Trust NBLT made representations to NBBC regarding the impact and implications of their decision. There was inadequate consultation with NBLT regarding the changes and, despite late attempts NBLT had little influence over the decision made.

The new PTL scheme is supposed to be implemented by NBLT by the 1^st April, which is currently impractical. The changes may mean reduced services elsewhere and potential job reductions. Despite this, the Board of Trustees have decided to implement the changes as soon as possible but many details regarding the administration of this new scheme are still to be considered and organised, which will take time.

NBLT will post regular updates on the implementation of the changes to the PTL scheme and how they affect people.   However, NBLT are unable to respond to queries, comments or complaints regarding the decision itself or the rational behind the decision. All comments and complaints of that nature need to be directed towards John Pritchard, NBBC Head of Recreation, Tel. No. 02476376055, e-mail john.pritchard@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk or Councillor Ian Lloyd, NBBC Cabinet member for Sustainable Communities, Tel. No. 02476738353, e-mail ian.lloyd@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF NUNEATON & BEDWORTH LEISURE TRUST