Major contract for council's leisure services

A contract to manage the council's £30m leisure property portfolio over the next 10 years has been agreed.

At the council's Executive meeting on Wednesday 9 November councillors recommended that the borough’s leisure centres should continue to be run by Hertsmere Leisure Trust (HLT). The decision follows a lengthy process, and is subject to a mandatory 10 day ‘cooling off’ period.

While HLT was appointed as the preferred bidder, Sports and Leisure Management Limited (SLM) was appointed as reserve bidder in case the arrangement with HLT fails. The 10 day period is a requirement under procurement directives and is allowed prior to signing contracts.

The contract will include:
The management of leisure centres:

- The Venue, and the Hertswood Centre, Borehamwood;
- Furzefield Centre, Potters Bar;
- Bushey Grove Leisure Centre;
- Wyllyotts Centre, Potters Bar

The management of community centres:

- Bushey Community Centre;
- Three Ways Community Centre, Borehamwood; and

The management of Bushey Golf and Country Club.

The successful bidder will also take over the management and delivery of the council’s play, 50 plus and parks events programmes.

Cllr Brenda Batten, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and health, said: “The provision of leisure and community services contributes towards a number of the priorities for the council. It is important that we work closely with the successful bidder to promote healthy, thriving communities and improve the health and wellbeing of our communities, allowing sport and cultural opportunities for everyone.”

Dr Donald Graham, the council's Chief Executive, said: "This was a thorough and robust process. We were very pleased at the responses from the bidders. All bidders demonstrated they would deliver a better and enhanced service, as well as significant savings on the current costs to the council for providing these services. They also provided detailed service plans, maintenance programmes and capital investment proposals aimed at increasing income projections and I look forward to these investments improving the quality of the customer experience for residents of Hertsmere.”

The decision was endorsed by Cllr John Graham, portfolio holder for finance and property, who added: “This is great news for Hertsmere."

The procurement exercise began in October 2010 and involved a cross-party panel of members, senior council officers, and specialist independent consultants - Sharpe Pritchard and Robin Thompson Consulting. Following approval there is a mandatory standstill period, with the formal award of the contract on 21 November 2011 (subject to no upheld legal challenge) with a contract start date of 1 February 2012. The contract is for an initial 10 years, with an option to extend by a further five years.

You can watch and listen to the discussions.