Leisure Contract
To consider the report of the Leisure Contract Working Group, (copy enclosed).
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Council considered the report of the Leisure Contract Member Working Group (the Working Group) providing detailed information on the on-going work in relation to the current position with the Leisure Services Contract, Splash Park operations and future options. A number of Appendices accompanied the report and provided further information in relation to the Leisure Contract.
It was noted how the cost of living and energy costs were impacting the Leisure industry nationwide in addition to the continued recovery from the Covid pandemic. The Working Group had continued to review legal advice and challenge financial and performance information provided. A number of recommendations were being brought forward to the Council in light of this work.
The Leader of the Council presented the recommendations coming forward from the Working Group and these were duly seconded.
Councillor S P Nunn, Chairman of the Working Group provided the Council with a brief outline of the work undertaken since the Working Group had been reset with new Members in September 2022.
The Commercial Manager introduced the report to the Council and highlighted the current 2023 / 24 position. It was noted that a successful pilot relating to the management and day-to-day running of the Splash Park had taken place. The Officer handed over to Mr Thompson, Leisure Consultant who highlighted a number of specific sections of the report for consideration by the Council.
A lengthy debate ensued during which Officers provided further information in response to questions and comments from Members.
The Chairman moved the recommendations set out in the report and upon a vote being taken these were duly agreed.
RESOLVED
(i) That the Council agrees a variation to the current Leisure Contract for the financial year 2023 / 24 as set out in Section 3.2 of the report;
(ii) That the Council agrees a variation to the current Leisure Contract to include responsibility for staffing and day-to-day management of the Splash Park for the 2023 and 2024 season (up to the end of the existing contract);
(iii) That the Council agrees for officers (in consultation with the Leisure Contract Member Working Group) to undertake a competitive procurement exercise starting in April 2023, to identify a new leisure contract for a period between 10 and 25 years to deliver best value;
(iv) That subject to (iii) above the Council agrees to fund the expected £40k re-procurement cost from its financial reserves (it is anticipated that these costs will be recouped from a more financially beneficial contract);
(v) That the Leisure Contract Member Working Group continues to meet on a regular basis to review progress and consider options as part of the procurement exercise and continue to monitor existing contract performance and provide regular updates to the Council.