Issue - meetings

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/019

Portfolio Holder: Joanna Rayner      Lead Officer: Jill Korwin

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: (25 April 2017)

That:

(1)     a new Partnership Agreement be entered into with Abbeycroft Leisure Ltd for a period of 15 years, with options to extend for 5 + 5 years , subject to the protections included in the Partnership Agreement; and

(2)     the Partnership Agreement is finalised in line with Report No: CAB/SE/17/019 and the Heads of Terms attached at Appendix 1.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/019, which sought approval for entering into a new Partnership Agreement with Abbeycroft Leisure Ltd.

Councillor Joanna Rayner, Portfolio  Holder for Leisure and Culture, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that the new Partnership Agreement had been developed in line with the previously approved principles and commitments of Cabinet and full Council, as set out in Section 2 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/019, and therefore satisfactorily supported the objectives and priorities of the Council and Abbeycroft regarding the promotion of health and wellbeing by supporting people to engage in physical activity.

Members noted that the Agreement built on the positive relationship that had been established with Abbeycroft some 12 years ago.  Amongst a raft of issues, the new Agreement detailed financial management plans and proposed investment opportunities in leisure facilities, such as the recently opened Skyliner Sports Centre and the proposed development of a revised leisure offer at Haverhill Leisure Centre.  In addition, Abbeycroft had committed to delivering a zero management fee to the Council by 2022.

As the new Agreement would be subject to annual review, this provided a degree of flexibility, therefore any potential issues that might need reconsideration could be addressed as part of that review. 

The Cabinet acknowledged the value of the partnership with Abbeycroft Leisure, and that through effective collaborative working, the Council and Abbeycroft were able, and would continue, to deliver financially viable, quality leisure services.  

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That:

(1)    a new Partnership Agreement be entered into with Abbeycroft Leisure Ltd for a period of 15 years, with options to extend for 5 + 5 years , subject to the protections included in the Partnership Agreement; and

(2)    the Partnership Agreement is finalised in line with Report No: CAB/SE/17/019 and the Heads of Terms attached at Appendix 1.