The Executive has decided to extend the contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited for the operation and management of the Council's leisure facilities.

URL: https://meetings.westoxon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=458

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to inform the Executive of the leisure management options appraisal outcomes and to seek authority to commence implementation of the selected management options for the Leisure Services.

Content: Councillor Tim Sumner, Executive Member for Leisure and Carterton Area Strategy, presented the item, the purpose of which was to inform the Executive of the Leisure Management Options Appraisal outcomes and to seek authority to commence implementation of the recommended management option for the Council’s Leisure Services. This recommended option was to extend the current contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) to 31 July 2032. This model was recommended for all sites as it provided security of ongoing leisure provision for residents, financial benefits and strategic alignment through the transition to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The 5-year improvement plan adopted at September’s Executive would run in parallel with the implementation of the extension.    A Member raised a question regarding the assumptions made around the continuation of the model following LGR. In particular the Member queried what evidence there was for this assumption and what consequences would occur if this model did not continue following LGR which would mean contracts being broken. In his response Councillor Sumner stated that the rationale for the approach was both to safeguard provision during the transition and to allow a new authority to assess its options. A shorter contract would potentially discourage a provider from taking a contract which could result in a costly procurement exercise.   Councillor Sumner proposed accepting the recommendations in the report.   Councillor Alaric Smith seconded the proposal and further reiterated that decisions such as this were needed in order to ensure that a position was not reached where the Council had no power to action contracts.   This was voted on and approved unanimously.   RESOLVED: That the Executive: Noted the findings of the Leisure Management Options Appraisal and entered a five-year Contract extension with Greenwich Leisure Limited, for the operation and management of the Council’s leisure facilities as set out in the current Contract scope. Delegated authority to Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Head of Legal, Executive Member for Leisure and Carterton Area Strategy and Executive Member for Finance to commence negotiations with Greenwich Leisure Limited regarding the risk profile of any amendments to the Contract or specifications, and the impact of any capital projects to the Council. Delegated authority to Director of Place, in consultation with the Head of Legal, Executive Member for Leisure and Carterton Area Strategy and Executive Member for Finance to commence consultation with landowners of facilities where lease agreements expire within the extended Contract term. Delegated authority to the Director of Place and Director of Finance, in consultation with Executive Member for Leisure and Carterton Area Strategy and Executive Member for Finance to work in partnership with GLL to develop their capital investment proposals.

Date of Decision: October 15, 2025