Agenda item

1. That the draft service specification and evaluation criteria for the procurement of the leisure management contract as set out in paragraphs 3 & 4 of the report to Cabinet be approved; and

2. Authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Performance, People & Innovation) in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Resident and Corporate Services to finalise the service specification and evaluation criteria.

Decision

1. That the draft service specification and evaluation criteria for the procurement of the leisure management contract as set out in paragraphs 3 & 4 of the report to Cabinet be approved; and

2. Authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Performance, People & Innovation) in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Resident and Corporate Services to finalise the service specification and evaluation criteria.

Reason for Decision

For Cabinet to review and approve the key principles for the procurement of a new leisure management contract.  

Corporate Objectives

Clean, Safe and Enjoyable Environment – Leisure provision is central to delivering a borough that people can enjoy and promoting health and wellbeing. This service specification will help ensure our approach continues to meet the needs of current and future residents.

Delivering a modern and efficient Council – This will ensure that the Council maximises value for money in the provision of its sports and leisure service.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

Monitoring Officer:  

The service specification will form an essential part of the procurement process as it will set the key service requirements against which contractors will submit bids to be evaluated and assessed.   The specification from the selected bidder will then become an important part of the contractual documentation to be agreed and signed-off by the Legal Team following evaluation.

Deputy S.151 Officer

There are no direct implications of the proposed recommendation. The detailed financial implications arising from awarding the leisure management contract will be assessed in due course when submitted.

One of the key criteria for assessing the bids will be financial performance, financial reporting and data to assess performance and asset utilisation.

Advice

Councillor Harden introduced the report and highlighted the following points:

·        The service specification is fundamental to delivering a leisure contract model that meets the needs of users, clubs and residents and tax payers more widely.

·        It sets out the standards, rules and conditions that the successful operator will follow and it also forms the basis of the contract and performance management framework. It also clearly demarcates maintenance and management responsibilities.

·        This is a major benefit because it gives us the influence and control to ensure that sports and leisure is managed in a way that best delivers our vision. 

·        In the past 6 weeks Officers have been scoping the new service specification and as part of this they have undertaken a number of consultations:

o   Consultation workshop with select group of Members

o   Survey of all 51 Members 

o   Consultation workshop with 31 residents and clubs 

o   7 consultation discussions with sports clubs   

o   Survey of local sports clubs 

o   Member panel have reviewed the service specification

o   We have booked in a representative panel of local sports clubs who will review the service specification (including the Chair of Herts Sports Partnership) – next week

·        The service specification also takes account of the latest good practice and it is based on the well-established template from Sport England.

·        The specification (and the tender process) are a real opportunity for the Council to put in place a partnership that delivers for everybody. This is not just about an operator running the facilities, but this is about setting up a new, engaging and commercially forward thinking model that can deliver our long term vision for sports and health in Dacorum.

Councillor Marshall asked what would happen if the council wasn’t happy with the annual ‘Sport, Community and Physical Activity Development Plan’ produced.

R Smyth replied that the plan would be submitted 2 months before the end of the year, giving time for the council to consider and approve it. As it will be done annually, the council will be able to monitor it and closely check the KPI’s set to ensure delivery is what the council wants.

Councillor Marshall hoped that the plan would have substance to it.

R Smyth gave assurance that this would be the case. He added that the management was being delivered by those with the right skills and was a real example of joint working.

Councillor Griffiths asked if those involved would have safeguarding/DBS checks. She also asked what would happen if something didn’t live up to the council’s expectations, could it be amended in the future.

R Smyth replied that the council would ensure appropriate checks are carried out and that they receive relevant training. The council would be pro-active in responding to changes required or trends highlighted.

Councillor Harden explained that currently the council gave a grant to the sports provider but have no input into how things are run. He noted that the contract was not just looking for a sports centre management but more about supporting health and well-being, sporting trends and an increase in engaging with the community.

It was confirmed that TUPE would apply if the current provider were to be unsuccessful.

Councillor Tindall highlighted that if there was a change to the current provision therefore jobs differing slightly, the council could be liable for redundancy. This may not be a like for like contract.

R Smyth noted that the council had instructed legal advice.

Voting

None.