Decision details

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Heritage in association with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Learning seeking to secure a partner to deliver sports development activities following the successful procurement of partners to deliver facility management on the Council’s behalf.

This role includes working with sports clubs and society’s, governing bodies of sport, schools and colleges and community groups to increase the level of participation in sport and physical activity by adults, children and young people. The procurement exercise will include the work to deliver the after schools coaching programme, currently commissioned separately by Children’s Services. The exercise will involve the transfer of staff to a new partner.

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Leisure and Culture, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the procurement exercise to secure a partner to deliver the sports development functions on the Council’s behalf.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Solicitor to the Council following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to appoint a partner to manage the sports development function on behalf of the Council, in accordance with the framework as set out in confidential appendix 1 attached to this report. 

(iii)  To authorise the Executive Directors of Resources and Neighbourhoods and the Solicitor to the Council to take any further  action necessary to give effect to the decisions of the Executive in relation to this matter. 

To secure ongoing and improved opportunities for residents to participate in sport and physical activity. Regular participation in physical activity contributes to the wellbeing of individuals as well as communities in the broader sense. Potential benefits include a healthier and more productive workforce, reduced anti social behaviour, opportunities to support cohesive for communities and the promotion of educational achievement. In the context of the current financial environment, it is important to seek efficiencies in service delivery whist contributing to the City priorities and challenges including economic development and wellbeing.

To retain the service in house. Not pursued, given the loss of opportunity to secure efficiencies, which are critical in the current economic climate.