Issue - items at meetings - Future Management Arrangements of Council's Sports Facilities

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached)

Contact Officer :Toby Kingsbury            Tel:29-2701

Wards Affected: All

(1)       To request approval from the Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism that the council should prepare tender documents and carry out a procurement process in accordance with the timescales set out in paragraph 6.1.

 (2)       To request approval from the Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism that the council should prepare tender documents and carry out a procurement process with a view to reletting the leisure management contract with effect from 01 April 2011.

13.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report requiring a key decision in respect of future management arrangements of Council sports facilities. Although a key decision it had only recently been added to the Council’s Forward Plan. Given the tight procurement timetable involved with the tender, it would not have been possible to defer this decision until the next Cabinet Member Meeting.

13.2    Councillor Davis enquired regarding the situation in relation to the King Alfred Leisure Centre enquiring whether it would be possible for some improvements to be made whilst/if the buildings were on the open market. The Cabinet Member explained that no definitive decision had been made in respect of the King Alfred and the Principal Solicitor explained that the primary element of the contract would be for works as opposed to services. Any long term development for the King Alfred site would be separately procured. This point would be made clear within the tender documentation. Councillor Davis also asked and received questions in relation to the means by which any break clause would operate.

13.3    Councillor Kennedy welcomed the proposed process noting the position in relation to the fact that as there had been significant increases in the cost of utilities that this was likely to be reflected in the tender submissions. The fact that potential increases to the contract fee might be able to be balanced in the event that the preferred operator had social enterprise trust status was also noted.

13.4    The Principal Solicitor to circulated report which tied down the procurement process to a timetable which was now under review. It was therefore proposed to make a minor change to the recommendations. The Cabinet Member agreed to the proposed amendment and this is incorporated in the minute set out below.

13.5    RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given by the Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism that the council should prepare tender documents and carry out a procurement process with a view to re letting the leisure management contract with effect from 01 April 2011.

            (2) That approval be given by the Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism that the council should include the King Alfred Leisure Centre in the procurement process and invite bids as a separately priced element of the wider contract.