Agenda item

To consider the overall performance of the leisure facilities contract and provide input to help shape the future specification and required outcomes for the new contract.

8.1       The Committee received a report outlining the planned strategy relating to the re-procurement of the Council’s sports and leisure facilities contract in the summer 2016. The Committee heard that the contract was performing well and key performance indicators were positive.  The Committee noted that the contract generated a net financial surplus to the Council each year which provided funding for wider sports development activities.

8.2       The Chairman welcomed Richard Barker, Director of Sports, Leisure and Open Spaces, who discussed with the Committee that the sports and leisure management contract made a positive contribution to a variety of Council and partner outcomes including ‘Better City, Better Lives, the Public Health Outcomes Framework, particular ’Utilisation of green space for exercise/health reasons’ and the ‘Proportion of physical active and inactive adults indicators’, the Volunteering Strategy and engagement of schools utilising the facilities for coaching and PE & School Sport.

8.3       The following key themes emerged from the Committee’s discussion:

·         the new contract would improve financial return to the Council, provide capital investment for improved facilities and encourage the market to come back with solutions regarding outreach work to inactive groups.

·         the importance of outreach work and the promotion of everyday activities to the inactive and elderly population by finding venues to hold sport and leisure activities nearer to their homes/communities.

·         the possibility of including  Key Performance Indicators in the new contract to encourage inactive residents to participate in sport for public health benefits.

·         the need for the new contractor to be committed to equal opportunities and be mindful of cultural community groups in Westminster.

·         the need to note that the new contract did not cover the whole sports and leisure offer to Westminster residents.

·         the importance of looking at other large procurement contracts to see if any lessons had been learnt when going through the process.

8.4       The Committee congratulated Westminster City Council’s Sports and Leisure Unit in coming up with creative solutions to ensure their continued success and on the excellent variety of sports and leisure facilities available in Westminster.

8.5       ACTIONS

1.    That a briefing note be sent on how the  income of £900,000 was utlilised by

the Council through different sports and leisure projects.

2.    That a briefing note be sent to the committee highlighting the wider work of the Sports and Leisure Unit (not just the facilities contract)

8.6       RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee acknowledged that the procurement process was on track to commence in February 2015 and that the new contract would improve financial return to the Council, provide capital investment for improved facilities and encourage the market to develop solutions for outreach work.

2.    That the contract should include key performance indicators to encourage the new contractor to promote everyday activities to the inactive and elderly population (including by finding venues to hold sport and leisure activities nearer to their homes/communities).

3.    That consideration should be given to some elements of payment by results in the contract when achieving greater participation by low participation groups.

4.    That the Sports and Leisure Unit continue to develop strong links with the Voluntary Sector, the NHS and schools in order to promote participation in sport and well-being in the community.

5.    That the new contractor be committed to equal opportunities and be mindful of cultural community groups in Westminster.

6.    That the Committee be kept updated on the procurement process of the new contract