Councillors agree an exciting way forward for managing Leisure Services in Torridge from April 2022

The report concluded that a viable tender process was unlikely as it would have needed to commence in the middle of the pandemic, where uncertainty, low confidence and capacity issues within the industry would have severely hampered a successful outcome. The report also highlighted some of the problems that have surfaced as a result of long periods of closure during the recent pandemic. The age and condition of the buildings and equipment means that they are likely to require significant investment in the next 5-10 years, which would have added another detrimental level of complexity to any procurement process. Similarly, an in-house management option was evaluated to be a more expensive solution, with the report concluding that a Trading company, working in close partnership with the Council, was likely to deliver the most favourable outcome.

Operating at arm’s length to the Council the proposed structure for the company will be as a “not for profit” entity which means it will be able to benefit from certain tax emption benefits similar to a leisure trust. The arrangements will also allow the Council to maintain greater flexibility and closer control over the LATC by having four Councillors and two Senior Council Officers sitting as representatives on the governing board, overseeing its operations and running. There will also be a close adherence to a clearly defined contract and services specification, which will be explicit and embedded within the overall delivery contract.

Councillors welcomed that the LATC would provide an opportunity for a more integrated, leisure, physical activity, and wellbeing offer by combining the development of the leisure centres with the Councils parks, open spaces and wider assets. Coincidentally both the leisure contract and grounds maintenance contract both expire in March 2022.

The next steps will include the development of a project plan, 5-year business plan, service and support services specification, recruitment support and importantly the development of an updated leisure facilities strategy. The latter will help identify the precise areas of investment, and improvement required for each of the Councils leisure assets across the three principle sites in Northam, Gt Torrington and Holsworthy.

Leader of Torridge District Councillor Ken James said:

“The recent pandemic has highlighted just how highly people value access to good leisure facilities and how important these are for physical and mental wellbeing. In a wide ranging debate there was a clear winner in the proposal for a trading company, which Councillors overwhelmingly supported. While there is a lot of hard work ahead to put this in place by April next year, there is a renewed enthusiasm and optimism that we can improve the leisure offering for our residents and visitors going forward. With a Councillor, Officer governance structure, it should allow us greater flexibility and direct influence to adapt more readily to customer needs.”