Decision details

The report sets out the options for the future delivery of the leisure contract following restrictions imposed on leisure services to control the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) infection rate. It seeks approval to extend the provision of funding to Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) Ltd in 2021/22

Cabinet considered a confidential report relating to the Council’s leisure contract delivery options.  Having noted the confidential information contained in the report and accompanying appendices, Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the recommended option A in relation to the future delivery of the leisure contract, as detailed in the officer report, be approved;

(2)          the Corporate Director for Community and the Director of Finance, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Employment and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources be authorised to enter into a funding agreement under a Contract Deed of Variation with Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) Ltd of up to [the maximum amount set out in the confidential report] for the period April 2021 to March 2022, with the exact funding representing the actual deficit to be agreed separately for each month under open book accounting from April 2021 to March 2022, in light of the impact of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic;

(3)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business, Property and Leisure, and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources be authorised to enter into and signof the Leisure Contract Deed of Variation(s) with Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) Ltd, and to take any further actions necessary to complete the revised contractual agreement(s) with SLM.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure that the Council’s leisure contractor, Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) Ltd re-opened Harrow Leisure Centre, Hatch End Swimming Pool, and Bannister Sports Centre as soon as possible, and when it was safe to do so following government approval to re-open leisure facilities that had been closed due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, and for SLM to then continue to operate Harrow’s leisure facilities during ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

[Call-in did not apply to the resolutions above as a waiver of call-in had been obtained by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the reasons set out in the published public notice].