Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report by Councillors Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets and Bobby Feeley, Lead member for Well-being and Independence (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval to extend the Council’s UK Leisure Framework until January 2022.

Vote taken: 8 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the extension of the UK Leisure Framework until January 2022 on the same terms as let, and in any event such extension period shall be limited to 50% of the value of the original framework agreement in accordance with Regulation 72 Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill presented the joint report with Councillor Bobby Feeley seeking Cabinet approval to extend the Council’s UK Leisure Framework until January 2022.

Cabinet was advised that the four year term of the current UK Leisure Framework set up by the council was due to expire in January 2021.  The provisions and limitations within procurement legislation as it related to the framework had been set out together with the impact of operating within the restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.  In the interests of the council and Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL), and also in fairness to all providers in the market, it was recommended that the launch of a new procurement process be delayed until next year when a planned new exercise would commence.  It was noted that DLL was contracted to manage the existing framework on the council’s behalf and were supportive of the extension and the current supplier, Alliance Leisure had confirmed that they would be willing to continue with the current framework.

The Leader acknowledged the benefits of the framework for both the council and DLL and in raising the prominence of leisure services beyond Denbighshire’s boundaries.  As Chair of DLL Councillor Bobby Feeley highlighted the difficulties faced by the new company since its inception in April and challenges to trade in difficult circumstances and she paid tribute to all the staff in that regard.  The latest lockdown announcement had come as a further blow and it was hoped to resume services once the restrictions were lifted.   Cabinet echoed those sentiments.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the extension of the UK Leisure Framework until January 2022 on the same terms as let, and in any event such extension period shall be limited to 50% of the value of the original framework agreement in accordance with Regulation 72 Public Contracts Regulations 2015.