Issue - meetings

To receive the Task Group’s report and recommendations following scrutiny of the Leisure Facilities offer (report of the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture which asked the Policy Development Panel to receive the Task Group’s report and recommendations following scrutiny of the Leisure Facilities offer.

The Scrutiny and Policy Officer and the Head of Special Projects – Leisure attended virtually for this item. Councillor Taylor, the Portfolio Holder for Communities, had sent his apologies.

The Scrutiny and Policy Officer presented the report and highlighted the following points:

• The report of the task and finish group was at Appendix 1;
• The scope of the task and finish group was at Appendix 2;
• The member briefing presentation in respect of the partnership-wide Leisure Operator Procurement was at Appendix 3;
• The following SHDC representatives of the task and finish group were drawn from the Policy Development Panel: Councillors James Le Sage, Angie Harrison and Margaret Geaney; and
• That, as a point of reference, the Partnership Scrutiny Framework enabled sovereign scrutiny panels ‘to agree’ recommendations that resulted from joint scrutiny task groups. Approval was therefore being sought for the recommendations within the report which were outlined at page 4 of Appendix 1.

Members of the task group added that:

• The task group discussions were positive, with a focus to ensure that the new facility widened the leisure provision for residents which enhanced health and wellbeing;
• Members were satisfied that a ‘value for money for all’ approach was to be taken, however ultimately this awaited the outcome of the leisure contractor procurement process; and
• That the South Holland Centre was included within the discussions.

Members considered the report and made the following comment:

• Members supported the partnership approach but wished to establish whether a sovereign approach to the contract procurement could be taken should the best interests of South Holland residents not be apparent from a proposed partnership contract.
  • The Head of Special Projects – Leisure confirmed that whilst a partnership approach was being taken, South Holland District Council, as a sovereign council, would make its own decision regarding the contract award. Bidders would be made aware, as part of the contract tender process, that contracts would only proceed with distinct authorities where sovereign approval had been attained.

Agreed:

a)    That the content of the report, at Appendix A, be noted; and

b)    That the associated recommendations stated within the report, be agreed.