Centres Where LC Contracts Have Ended

Centres Where LC Have Lost Contracts

This page features Leisure Connection contracts that have been terminated, not renewed or where LC has failed to get a contract after being designated preferred bidder or partner. It also includes LC's failed PFI bids. I have been asked about the purpose of this page. See below if you are interested.

Details of other lost contracts sought. Please send to vilefirm@btinternet.com

Allerdale ended 2004 Ards ended August 2003 Babergh ended March 2006 Cheltenham ended 2003 Crystal Palace ended October 2004

Dartford ended September 2004 Daventry ended October 2006 Didcot / South Oxford ended October 2005 Ealing ended November 2006

East Northamptonshire ended 2003 Flitwick ended 2004 Flintshire non-starter 2003/2004 Fowey ended 2003

Great Yarmouth ended April 2006 Hackney ended August 2005 Kerrier ended September 2005 Rotherham Failed PFI April 2006

Three Rivers ended January 2006 Tunbridge Wells ended September 2006 South Norfolk ended April 2007

St Albans Tourism Office ended April 2005 Salisbury ended 2004 Swale ended September 2004 Wycombe ended 2004

??? ended 2001

Allerdale Borough Council Press Release 22/03/04 at http://www.allerdale.gov.uk/pressreleasestext.asp?PageID=36&prid=277

Detailed negotiations are progressing well over the new arrangements for the operation of Allerdale Borough Council’s three leisure centres.

Allerdale Council members recently confirmed a recommendation from its Leisure Services Task Group that the authority should enter into partnership with Carlisle Leisure Ltd. for the future management of Workington Leisure Centre and Pool, Cockermouth Sports Centre and Keswick Leisure Pool...

At present, private sector operators Leisure Connection (Workington Leisure Centre and Pool, and Cockermouth Sports Centre) and Parkwood Leisure (Keswick Leisure Pool) operate the contracts to manage the centres on the council’s behalf.

The new partnership arrangement, due to start on 1st April 2004... The new partnering arrangement, fundamentally different to the old contractor/client approach, would also mean that Allerdale residents could take advantage of membership schemes relating to CLL facilities in Carlisle.

Councillor John Colhoun, Allerdale Borough Council Executive Member with responsibility for Leisure, said: “I am confident that the partnership with Carlisle Leisure Limited will bring noticeable benefits to more residents in Allerdale in the form of improved facilities in the three leisure centres, greater opportunities from and enjoyment of those facilities, and more chances to tell the staff at the centres how those facilities can continue to improve”.

Jim Douglas, Managing Director of Carlisle Leisure Limited, said: "We are extremely pleased to be selected as the operating partner for Allerdale Borough Council's leisure facilities.

“There are tremendous benefits which will arise from this arrangement for the people of Allerdale and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship".

As of 27.12.04 LC's web list of clients still listed "Borough of Allerdale" and its logo. http://www.leisureconnection.co.uk/clients.html

Ards

Belfast Telegraph 3.9.05 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=659688 Ulster captain in new gym launch by Ashleigh Wallace

ULSTER rugby captain Simon Best was due to open three new fitness suites in the Ards Peninsula today with new exercise and eating programmes available for all customers. After seven years of Harpers Fitness, the new-look gyms at the three leisure centres in Ards, Comber and Kiltonga are being reopened under a new name, Momentum Fitness.

The gyms are staffed by trained consultants who will be on hand to provide advice and motivation as well as tailoring exercise and health eating programmes. An exercise referral scheme will also be in operation and staff will implement and monitor exercise programmes for users on the advice of their GPs, nutritionists or physiotherapists. In addition, staff are currently involved in training to provide a cardiac rehabilitation exercise programme which will be introduced at a later date.

Ulster's newly appointed rugby captain, prop Simon Best, said the new-look Momentum suites were "fantastic. It's great to have such facilities locally and hopefully this will be a real boost to promoting fitness in the borough."

Dusty Millar, general manager of Ards Borough Council's Leisure Ards Group, said: "Our fitness suites have always been popular with customers but we felt that it was time to match the energy of our regulars with a new look and range of new exercise and health eating programmes."

Babergh

In April 2005 Babergh District Council announced it would set up a trust to run leisure facilities currently run by LC. A consultation Document provides the reasoning: http://www.babergh-south-suffolk.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/4545E2E4-BA9E-4D1F-B2E7-8B23EE80C3BD/0/Trustee_Information_Pack_2_Jo_Accepted_V3.pdf

Q. What is the Council transferring to the Trust? A. . The Council is transferring Kingfisher Leisure Centre in Sudbury and Hadleigh Swimming Pool.

Q. Why is the Council transferring these facilities and services? A. It is believed that a community-focussed group of trustees will be better placed to deliver an improved service to the local community. In addition, the Trust will be able to achieve financial benefits such as savings on National Non Domestic Rates and VAT.

Cheltenham see also under Other Areas

Council Press Release 27.11.02 at http://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/libraries/templates/options.asp?URN=1390&FolderID=0

At Cheltenham Borough Council’s cabinet meeting last night, members unanimously approved the decision to bring the sport and leisure management contract under the control of the council. This will mean that the current contract with Leisure Connection will not be renewed beyond 31 March 2003. Arrangements are being made to bring the service under the direct control of the council from 1 April 2003.

Cllr Duncan Smith, chair of overview and scrutiny, commented: "I am delighted that the cabinet have unanimously accepted my recommendation to bring the recreation centre back under council control.

This is a landmark decision and proves that the scrutiny process in Cheltenham is working well. Months of hard work by officers and members resulted in a clear recommendation to bring the contract back in house. The record of the current contract has been examined and found wanting by the scrutiny committee. The committee will continue to scrutinise and review the performance of the service once it is back with the council to ensure that the high standards expected are achieved and maintained. With the five million pounds refurbishment of the centre that we agreed earlier this year, this decision indicates further significant progress in the quality of sporting facilities in Cheltenham."

Cllr Rowena Hay, deputy for health wellbeing and economy, confirmed that: "Cabinet endorsed the recommendation of overview and scrutiny to bring the leisure contract back in house. In doing so, officers will have tighter control over operational standards and the quality of facilities available to the public." ...

Crystal Palace from Sport England Press Release 8.9.04 http://www.sportengland.org/index/news_and_media/news_pr/new_facility_management_contract_for_crystal_palace.htm

Sport England and the London Development Agency today announced that a new facility management contract for Crystal Palace Sports Centre has been signed with Greenwich Leisure Ltd. (an employee owned society that exists for the benefit of the community. Based on charitable objectives, GLL is a non-profit distributing organisation...)

Roger Draper, Chief Executive of Sport England said: “GLL is a very innovative organisation and has demonstrated its ability to engage with local communities. These skills complement our regional plan for sport in London, helping Sport England to increase sports participation and success in the area...”

The management contract for Crystal Palace was put out to tender following the expiry of Leisure Connection’s contract in March 2004. The new contract with GLL is for a term of four years starting in October 2004.

Dartford Council

From Council Press Release 1.10.04 Council takes control of Princes Golf and Leisure http://www.dartford.gov.uk/latestnews/archive.htm

"Dartford Council has confirmed that it is to take control of one of Dartford’s most popular sports and leisure facilities after the current management company admitted spiralling losses."

The complex includes, as well as golf, football, squash and function rooms. LC have had a series of temporary leases while the council has been deciding the future of the facility.

Minutes of the meeting of the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Services) held on 18 May 2004 show concern about the state of facilities, what has contributed to them but do not make clear who was responsible for the decline. http://www.dartford.gov.uk/council/council%20minutes/os%20services/18%20May%202004%20-%20FINAL.htm

"The meeting was advised that due to the Club having been the subject of a series of short term leases, limited capital investment and insufficient income to support the more expensive sports, the facilities had fallen into a spiral of some disrepair and neglect...

Members felt that the poor standards in the pavilion often deterred teams and individuals from using the facility. They were also aware of a possible leakage of income from the Golf facility by fee avoidance.

The Bowls Club on the site was largely self-sufficient but had been using contributions from members themselves to fund repairs etc.

Members felt strongly that inexpensive facilities for local people to be able to play sports was a priority.

Councillor Kite explained that the cycle of poor delivery needed to be broken and that the proposed changes would be handled with professionalism and sensitivity."

Thanks to "The Warbler" for notifying LCW about terminated contract.

Daventry from Council Press Release http://www.daventrydc.gov.uk/news/details.asp?id=611

Daventry District Council is delighted to signal the chance for a new era of leisure facilities management. Daventry Leisure Centre, Daventry Sports Park and the town’s pitches are set to be managed by SOLL Leisure from November. SOLL Leisure have been selected by the Council as the Preferred Supplier of facility management after competitive tender and are set to take over from Leisure Connection, promising fresh investment and a whole new look and feel to the facilities.

Community Portfolio Holder Councillor Alan Hills confirmed that “SOLL is offering the best deal for the people of Daventry district with the particular prospect of a refreshed Leisure Centre. I am expecting SOLL to impress people with the same standard of management and customer care that they offer at their facilities in Oxfordshire. They know what customers need and they know what Daventry Council expects. I look forward to a positive relationship between the Council and SOLL and a positive experience for existing and new users of the facilities. What a boost for the town and surrounding area it will be. The new contract brings new ideas and new opportunities from a fresh management company benefitting residents and visitors alike, fitting in with the Council’s vision for a rejuvenated town centre.”

The new contract runs to October 2016 and demonstrates the Council’s long-term commitment to new investment in leisure facilities after recent attacks that it simply wanted to close facilities.

Didcot / South Oxford

It was announced in July 2005 that from October SOLL Leisure will take over the management of South Oxfordshire District Council’s Didcot Wave and Didcot Leisure Centre on a three and a half year contract.

The Council Press Release thanks LC and its staff for their work but says, “All of the companies that expressed an interest in this contract made strong presentations. SOLL scored extremely well on the quality of their submission but clearly presented the best financial proposition."

Ealing

From 1.11.06 Ealing Council will replace LC at

"The new contract has a strong focus on performance targets, including increasing participation, customer satisfaction, consistency in cleaning standards and delivery of maintenance works. The targets will be reviewed on an annual basis."

Cllr Nigel Sumner, cabinet member for health and community well being, said: "Ealing Council welcomes the opportunity to work with Greenwich Leisure Limited which has become a major force within the leisure industry. GLL displays a strong commitment to social inclusion and customer-focussed service so I am optimistic that the targets we have built into the new contract will see an improvement in customer satisfaction levels at our three facilities." from http://www.ealing.gov.uk/press_releases/august_2006/pr800.html

East Northamptonshire Council

From Performance Plan 2003 - 2004 http://www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/ppimageupload/image7147.pdf

For many years a national company called Leisure Connections has managed the council’s leisure buildings. The contract was due to expire in 2003, so as part of the 'Best Value' programme we conducted a review of leisure facilities. This looked at a number of options for the future management of leisure facilities, and councillors concluded that an independent trust offered the best option.

By creating an independent trust with charitable objectives, not only can any profits be invested back into the facilities and services, but the trust can gain from tax relief and is in a better position to apply for grant aid.

from Audit Commission Inspection Report, January 2003 http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/Products/BVIR/72A72940-7C83-11d7-B2CB-0060085F8572/EastNorth-Leisure.pdf

The Council spends a relatively small amount per head on leisure and recreation. Comparative figures on the amount of provision, either sports hall space, water space or arts based provision were not available, making it difficult to deduce the level of return on this investment.

The services are in the lowest quartile for the satisfaction levels of both users and residents compared to similar authorities which challenges the findings of the research commissioned by the contractor. However, because little is known overall about user opinion the Council can not robustly argue against this rating.

The facilities appear to be in the lowest quartile for the number of swims and other visits per 1000 population in the district, suggesting low take-up levels by the local community. These statistics were affected by a long closure of the Splash Pool due to flooding, which reduced the usage levels whilst many of the service overheads remained constant. Using the current data, the cost of each swim or visit is high, challenging the claims that the service represents value for money. To be confident that the service does provide value for money the Council needs to adjust the data and compare the adjusted figures with those of other similar authorities.

From comparisons the Council undertook, the review concluded that fees charged are ‘generally reasonable in comparison with neighbouring authority services.’ Junior swims prices are higher than the closest neighbours whilst adult swimming prices are lower. Badminton is more expensive than the closest neighbours whilst fitness is significantly more expensive, though clearly this does not analyse the quality of the fitness facilities.

Great Yarmouth see also main GY page

Presumably having got tired of having to "badger" LC to do maintenance GY Council opted for a Leisure trust to take over in April 2006.

Hackney see also main Hackney page

Letter to Hackney Gazette 17.8.05 http://snipurl.com/ha9u

New leisure contract can be no worse value

I'm glad the interim contract to run Hackney's leisure facilities has been given to a not-for-profit organisation. It can't be worse than the previous contract with Leisure Connection. The termination of Leisure Connection's contract was a rare bit of good news to come out of the closure of Clissold Leisure Centre.

It was bad contract since it tied Hackney into a 15-year deal. Clissold has been closed for about 21 months, but Leisure Connection has still been receiving payments due to it - about £4 million since 2002. The contract did not demonstrate best value for Hackney, especially since Leisure Connection is getting a further payment for its termination.

Whoever gets to run Hackney's leisure facilities, we mustn't have another long-term contract which profits shareholders, not council tax payers. There is a strong argument that leisure facilities should be run by the council. How can paying money to a private company for running a public service represent best value?

Mischa Borris, Hackney Green Party

From Hackney Labour Party Website 11.8.05 www.hackney-labour.org.uk/news/?id=131

Not-for-profit organisation to run Hackney's leisure centres
Following the end of Hackney’s leisure management contract with Leisure Connection, the Council has appointed Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) to manage its leisure facilities on an interim basis for 18 months until a full process for award of a long term contract has been carried out.
Hackney’s leisure centre portfolio includes Kings Hall and Britannia Leisure Centres, the West Reservoir sailing and water sports centre, and Clissold Leisure Centre. Clissold is currently closed for repair works but is scheduled for reopening next summer. From next year the portfolio will also include the London Fields Lido which is set to reopen in April 2006 following a complete refurbishment, and the Queensbridge Sports Centre.
The decision to award the interim contract to GLL came after a full options appraisal process. GLL is a not for profit organisation with an excellent track record of managing community leisure facilities across London. They currently operate in the four other Olympic host boroughs of Newham, Waltham Forest, Greenwich and Tower Hamlets, among others. GLL has also recently commenced a 15 year partnership agreement to manage Camden’s leisure centres.
Hackney Council’s elected Mayor Jules Pipe said: ‘I am delighted to welcome GLL as our interim leisure contractor. We will work with them to ensure that the handover is as smooth as possible, and that local services are not disrupted by the change. We will be communicating with all staff, users and leisure centre members to make sure that they are kept fully informed.’
GLL will take over interim management of the centres from Leisure Connection on 15th September 2005. The Council intends to fully involve users and residents in the process to award a long term contract.

Flintshire

13.9.02 Leisure Connection wins first contract in Wales http://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?codeID=2844

Flintshire County Council has announced that leading leisure management contractor, Leisure Connection, is the preferred partner for the future management and operation of its 10 sports and leisure facilities across the county. The contract will begin later this year and run for a 20-year period...

13.9.02 from http://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?codeID=2844

Glynn Mellor, CEO of Leisure Connection, said: 'This exciting new partnership with Flintshire County Council demonstrates Leisure Connections ongoing commitment to provide quality leisure facilities and services to local communities throughout the UK 'This major new contract represents a strategic advance for both parties and reinforces the company's position in the community leisure market.'

The Flintshire Chronicle, July 2003 from http://snipurl.com/69ia

Leisure deal off as talks are wound up by George Tattum

FLINTSHIRE County Council has abandoned plans to hand over the running of its sports and leisure facilities to a private company. The decision, predicted exclusively in the Chronicle last month, was taken behind closed doors on Tuesday.

After the meeting, a statement was issued explaining why talks with Herfordshire-based Leisure Connection had been wound up without agreement. The council statement said: 'Following detailed negotiations over the last year, the preferred partner company was, in recent weeks, unable to satisfy concerns by the council about the implications of new proposed conditions of contract.'

The partnership deal was intended to plough private capital into the council's ageing sports and leisure facilities. But the two sides were unable to strike a deal, as executive member for education and leisure, Cllr Chris Bithell, explained: 'The council wanted to look at innovative ways to provide better leisure facilities for the people of Flintshire, and much hard work has been undertaken to explore this partnership option. It is with disappointment that we have decided not to pursue this option and end our negotiations.'

A number of councillors expressed serious concerns about a possible deal when it was revealed Leisure Connection had lost a major contract with Cheltenham Borough Council...
From IC Wales 15.12.03 http://snipurl.com/6w7x Leisure centre talks re-opened

...Flintshire County Council earlier this year pulled out of a proposed deal with Leisure Connection after talks broke down.

But the new chief executive (Martin Oliver?) of the company has asked to re-open negotiations.

Flintshire Council Minutes considering first bid and rejection of revised proposal in 2004 on LCW.

Flitwick from http://www.healthandleisure.uk.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=27

22.01.04 Stevenage Leisure win contracts to operate new sites in Beds

SLL (Stevenage Leisure Ltd) have won the contract to operate Mid Bedfordshire’s prestigious Leisure facilities at Biggleswade and Flitwick. The contract, which was won in open competition, will be effective from April 1st 2004 for three years. (LC lost the Biggleswade contract 3 years ago and Flitwick this year. PB)

In addition it is the intension that two dual centres will also be negotiated into the contract within the first year.

Working in partnership with Mid Beds District Council there will be substantial investment of £1.5m to extend and develop the Health and Fitness facilities at the Flitwick and Biggleswade sites, installing the new ‘Excite’ range of Technogym equipment.

Since its inception as a NPDO (Non Profit Distributing Organisation) in March 1998, SLL has doubled in size and turnover and is now operating an additional six facilities.

The NPDO option has now become a recognised model for providing Leisure Management Services and provides a credible option for local authorities...

Information on Tendering Process in Biggleswade

Fowey Community Leisure Centre from http://www.fowey-comm-coll.cornwall.sch.uk/prospectus/leisure.html

A charitable company had been established in order to manage the leisure centre – Windmill Developments (Cornwall) Ltd – which let a management contract to Circa Leisure; later to become Leisure Connection plc.

This contract was terminated by negotiation and agreement of both parties on 31st March 2003; Windmill Developments (Cornwall) Ltd then let a management contract to Fowey Community College to manage the Centre effective from 1st April 2003...

Kerrier 2.8.05 New Beginnings At Helston Sports Centre from http://www.kerrier.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=13500

Helston Sports Centre is to undergo a £250,000 refurbishment, and return to the direct Control of Kerrier District Council. The Council's current management agreement with private contractors Leisure Connection Ltd, who have been engaged by the Council since 1996, expires on 15th September. Following a detailed review by Kerrier's Overview & Scrutiny Committee for Strong Communities earlier in the year, assisted by key expert witnesses and local representatives, the Council decided to resume direct management of the centre through a dedicated "in house" team.

Rotherham Failed PFI Bid From Contract Journal 12.4.06 http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/2006/04/12/50855/Pellikaan+poised+to+scoop+%C2%A337m+Yorks+leisure+PFI.html

Pellikaan poised to scoop £37m Yorks leisure PFI

Dutch specialist contractor Pellikaan, which has built around 800 sports and leisure centres across Europe, has surfaced as preferred bidder for a £37m PFI deal in South Yorkshire in tandem with UK developer DC Leisure. The Rotherham Borough Council scheme is due to start shortly after financial close is reached in September.

The project will see outdated swimming pools across the borough replaced with four new pools. Three will be on secondary schools campuses at Wath, Maltby and Aston and the fourth will result in a major new leisure pool at St Ann’s in Rotherham’s town centre. Other projects include replacing the Herringthorpe Leisure Centre with a new state-of-the art sports centre, while a sports complex will also be built next to the new pool at Aston.

Work on the first of the four sites is expected to be finished during 2008, with completion of the whole project due by the close of 2009. Local contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, in tandem with developer Leisure Connection, also worked up a bid for the job.

Salisbury

From Council Press Release 4.3.04 http://www.salisbury.gov.uk/council/communications/press/2004/display-press-release.htm?id=2004-03-04-b.asp

"The council's Cabinet has taken the decision not to renew the contract with Leisure Connection, the company that currently manages the centre, when it expires on March 31st... The £6.5 million state-of-the-art swimming centre was opened in the summer of 2002. Owned by Salisbury District Council, the running of the centre was contracted to Leisure Connection, the company that had been running the old leisure centre at the Hulse Road site. However, since its opening, the centre has been hit with several contractual and operational problems." See also LCW Salisbury Page for some of the issues that led up to this.

South Norfolk

4.12.06 Council Report on Risks http://www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/CARMS/meetings/cab2006-12-04ag13.pdf

Among the less serious risk listed by the Council was one for the ending of the Wymondham Leisure centre. "Potential for a reduction in service quality as a result of low staff motivation/morale now that Leisure Connection have received notification that the contract will not be renewed in April 2007. As recently as 16th November, the strategic significance of this risk was confirmed by the project board overseeing the arrangements to bring the management of the centre 'in house'.”

from http://www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/democracy/1906_333631.asp 20.3.07 New era for leisure centre puts quality and customers first

A new era of improvement and potential investment begins at Wymondham Leisure Centre next month. The management of the facility, which includes a swimming pool, gym and five-court sports hall, is being taken over by South Norfolk Council Leisure Services team from the beginning of April.

The Council has said it will use this golden opportunity to improve service quality and get customers involved in shaping the service. Cllr Jane Walker, who leads on Leisure, Culture and Countryside for South Norfolk, said: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to improve the standards of service in the building and improve quality. The customers we have, and the new ones we will attract, will also have a powerful voice in the centre's future when later this year, we launch our customer forum. The voice of young people will not be forgotten, and will be a key part of the new forum. Getting the leisure centre up to the quality we expect, and which our customers deserve, will take time and investment, but we are in this for the long term. The first improvement they will notice is a redecoration. This is just the start of what will be an exciting new future."

For the last 15 years, the centre has been managed by Leisure Connection Plc, on the Council's behalf. On Sunday April 1st, control moves to the Council. There will be a low key celebration to mark the change-over, with a gift presented to the first customer arriving at the centre on Sunday.

St Albans
18.11.04 from http://snipurl.com/aww6 herts.advertiser@archant.co.uk

"THE Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in St Albans Town Hall will be back under district council control from next April. This will take place when the council's existing contract with Leisure Connection expires.

"The council plans to expand and improve the centre as a complete tourist attraction. Cllr Melvyn Teare, portfolio holder for Heritage, Arts and Tourism said: "This is an opportunity to bring it back in house. It is an excellent example of where I'm able to put more of a focus on arts, culture and leisure in St Albans."

Incorporated within the plans is the decision to make the Town Hall into a tourist attraction with the opening up of the courtroom and assembly rooms and the installation of a coach lay-by outside."

Swale 16.3.04 From http://www.swale.gov.uk/media/html/i%2Fj%2Fsbourne%20160304%2Edoc

The Head of Technical Services submitted a report on the present leisure contract at The Swallows, Sittingbourne that was requested in response to concerns expressed over the level of complaints received. Concerns had been raised over the decreasing level of cleanliness and several areas of minor maintenance which had not been completed, despite several requests from Council Officers.

The Head of Technical Services explained that the current leisure contract would expire in September 2004 and new contractors were being sought which might lead to short term problems prior to the commencement of the new contract... See Other Areas for more information.

The successor to LC in Swale is Serco who carried this on their website: " 'Council executive member for the community Cllr Gerry Lewin said “I am sure residents will experience a major improvement in the management of leisure facilities over the coming year.' Serco replaces Leisure Connection as the contract holders, after public criticism of levels of cleaning and maintenance at The Swallows." http://www.serco-is.com/serco_SGS_issue_1.htm

Three Rivers

The contract for William Penn Leisure Centre has been awarded to Hertsmere Leisure, a registered charity - http://www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk/index.asp?id=8

Tunbridge Wells from Council Press Release

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Cabinet agreed to award the ten and a half year management contract for its three sports centres to Fusion-Lifestyle. The contract, which commences on 1 October, includes Tunbridge Wells Sports & Indoor Tennis Centre, Weald Sports Centre, Cranbrook and Putlands Sports & Leisure Centre, Paddock Wood. Fusion-Lifestyle is a registered charitable trust currently managing a wide range of sports facilities for the London Boroughs of Hillingdon, Lambeth and Southwark. As a trust the company is able to re-invest any surplus into the facilities and service.

...As part of the contract, new equipment will be provided in the fitness studios and new computer systems will be introduced. In addition to these improvements the Council now intends to enter into further negotiations with Fusion-Lifestyle to secure up to £1 million of investment into the facilities including extensions to fitness studios and improvements to reception areas and changing rooms.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Health and Well-Being, Councillor James Scholes said: "This is an exciting time for the Council and its sports centres and we look forward to seeing increased usage and a reduced cost of the service for the local tax-payer."

Head of Leisure Services, Nigel Bolton, commented: "We have been impressed with Fusion-Lifestyle's track record and their quality and experience. We look forward to working in partnership with them and I am confident that Fusion-Lifestyle will bring a new impetus to the development of the sports centres and the service they offer".

Wycombe - Princes Risborough Springs Swim and Fitness Centre

LC's ten year contract with Wycombe District Council ended after it lost out to Wycombe Leisure Limited, an Industrial and Provident (non-profit) Society which returns all surpluses to the services operated. See the background on Wycombe page.

??? From Kunick PLC Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 31 March 2002 http://moneyextra.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20020523070000P4156.html

Unfortunately, we have been unable to renew, on acceptable terms, one of our larger (leisure) contracts. This contract ended on 31 March 2002 and had a turnover of £1.35 million in this period (turnover for the year ended 30 September 2001 amounted to £2.72 million).

Purpose of this Page

I would be concerned if a company won every contract it sought or even nearly all. I do not have enough information to say whether LC is worse than other leisure providers or contractors in other service areas. This is not what the page is about.

I hope councils considering new leisure contracts will contact other local authorities to learn from their experience and thus write better tender documents. Improving the competitive tendering process and really understanding what it takes to manage the contract increases the chances of better service and good value for ratepayers, whichever company is selected. When a council acts in isolation in deciding a contract, or only contacts the authorities suggested by the bidder, mistakes that could have been avoided are more likely to be repeated. Only the contractor's interests are served when information about shortcomings elsewhere are hidden behind "commercial confidentiality" or largely restricted to one locality.

Given the huge sums spent on privatised local services and the emergence of dominant providers it is unfortunate that no central body monitors contractor performance across the UK. Councils are rated by the Audit Commission for their overall performance so why not major service providers? Some contractors now spend more on services for the public than many individual councils. Surely this should attract more systematic scrutiny? As I do not have time to seek out and list unfavourable reports on other leisure companies and contractors for different services I hope concerned consumers will set up other "Watch" sites.

The size and complexity of PFI (Private Finance Initiative) deals means that smaller companies are less likely to be involved. This limits the number bidding for the contract and it is not unusual for the field to be limited to two because of the expense of preparing the deal. A failed bid represents a significant loss to LC. But more importantly, given the reduced competition it is even more important for councils to learn from each other in the handling of PFI arrangements. PB

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