Decision details

The Project Manager for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing explained that the contract for Stratford Park Leisure Centre is due to expire in October 2024 and the report outlines the different Management Options and whether Stratford Park, the Pulse, the Museum in the Park and Health and Wellbeing could operate under one Management Option. A meeting to discuss initial Management Options took place with Max Associates Consultants and the Councils Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Project Team to look at different management models as part of the strategy planning, which included inhouse, externally run, Local Authority Trading Company (LATC), Not for Profit Director Organisation (NDPO), Joint Venture and Asset Transfer. All options explored; the Council would have to borrow money to make improvements to the current and any future centres.

The Task and Finish Group that was established met several times and ruled out Joint Venture and Assets Transfer options and later ruled out external and NDPO leaving inhouse and LATC as the two options to consider. Both options were equal in deliverables, however the LATC financials were significantly better in saving the Council £200k a year with Stratford Park and the Pulse, benefiting an 80% reduction on National Non-Domestic Rates and VAT savings on income and reduced pension costs.

The Project Manager for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing concluded explaining that the Museum in the Park and Health and Wellbeing would be excluded from the Management Options until the LATC had matured.

Members asked questions on, whether the Council can give the ‘Teckal’ company a grant to assist with funding equipment, if the Council is able to claim VAT back on purchasing equipment through a ‘Teckal’ company, when the Museum in the Park and Health and Wellbeing would also be considered under the Management Option, the financial costs associated with needing specialist consultants on setting up the LATC and whether they would need to be retained throughout the life of the LATC and if any Council Officers would sit on the LATC board and if there would be any representatives from outside bodies

The motion was proposed by Councillor Prenter and seconded by Councillor John Jones.

On being put to the vote, the motion was passed unanimously.

The Chair gave thanks to the Task and Finish Group in addition to the Health and Wellbeing team and advised that the Stratford Park Lido Task and Finish Group are due to meet on 6 December.