Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

Leisure Management within the City has been externalised to several private leisure operators over the last twenty years. The current contract was awarded to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) after an EU competitive tender exercise and they commenced in October 2013 on a seven year contract, with an option to extend for a further three years.

The Officer’s report sought approval to award the three year extension to GLL to allow further investments within the leisure contract and GLL to have enough time to realise payback on these further investments.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

       i.          Instructed officers to progress awarding an extension of the Leisure Management Contract to Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) under the current contractual arrangements and existing terms & conditions for the allowed three year extension period commencing October 2020 to the end of September 2023.

     ii.          Authorised officers to continue to work with GLL for further implementation of investments and delivery within the Leisure Contract with the ongoing aim to also reduce the Management Fee paid to GLL over the remaining seven year period.

   iii.          Instructed officers to seek confirmation that GLL will pay the UK Living Wage (currently set at £8.25 per hour), to all members of staff working on the Cambridge contract from 1 October 2016 onwards for the remainder of the Contract term.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Community, Sport & Recreation Manager.

The Committee commented in response to the report that data provided by GLL made it transparent to scrutinise.

The Community, Sport & Recreation Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          GLL did not currently have any apprentices working for them on the Cambridge contract, but had two in the past. GLL has its own academy to train younger workers, so the impact of the living wage accreditation on payment for apprentices would be reviewed in the future.

     ii.          There was a mixed uptake by schools for swimming lessons with qualified coaches. Classes had reduced in size from thirty to ten children to give more intensive lessons and were getting good results. The Community, Sport & Recreation Manager undertook to circulate statistics on lesson take up after the meeting.

   iii.          The GLL contract would have some impact on the Council’s Zero Carbon Strategy with further energy saving projects. There was a utility variance mechanism built into the contract to facilitate savings off the management fee if the Council made the investment.

   iv.          The extended operation and season of Jesus Green Lido was questioned, and the Head of Community Services said the GLL contract recognised that residents wanted access to facilities all year round. Any proposals for modifications to Jesus Green Lido would be brought to Community Services Scrutiny Committee for scrutiny.

    v.          Residents could access the Cherry Hinton Village Centre during any agreed refurbishment. The area to the side of the centre would be developed before the existing building was refurbished.

   vi.          Jesus Green and Parkside changing facilities were being reviewed to address local issues with drains.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.