Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Customer, Culture and Community Engagement.

Appendix 2 is exempt and is set out in item 19 of the agenda pack.

(i)      That the procurement of a single leisure contract operator, be agreed and Max Associates be recommissioned to develop the Dorset Leisure Centres Procurement Strategy required to achieve this.

(ii)    That the Dorset Leisure Centres Procurement Strategy be brought back to Cabinet for consideration and final approval of the strategy’s recommendations in September 2026.

(iii)   That the Service Manager for Leisure, Arts and Cultural Services be authorised to agree contract extensions for Ferndown Leisure Centre, Blandford Leisure Centre and Dorchester Sports Centre for a further 2 years from the 1 April 2026 with an option for a further 1 year.

Reason for the decision

Procuring a single leisure contractor was best able to meet Council priorities and financial goals. A procurement strategy would set the timetable, tendering approach, service specifications, and risk management. Extending current contracts ensured centres stayed open during this process and transition.

The Cabinet Member for Customer, Culture and Community Engagement introduced a report on the future management of the Council’s leisure centres.

Members were advised that the current leisure contracts at Ferndown, Bridport and Dorset would expire on 31 March 2026 and following appraisal, the preferred approach was to procure a single leisure operator, supported by a detailed procurement strategy to be developed by Max Associates. To maintain continuity of service during the procurement process, it was proposed to extend existing contracts for two years from April 2026, with an additional option for a further year.

It was proposed by Cllr R Hope and seconded by Cllr S Clifford

Decision

(i)      That the procurement of a single leisure contract operator, be agreed and Max Associates be recommissioned to develop the Dorset Leisure Centres Procurement Strategy required to achieve this.

(ii)    That the Dorset Leisure Centres Procurement Strategy be brought back to Cabinet for consideration and final approval of the strategy’s recommendations in September 2026.

(iii)   That the Service Manager for Leisure, Arts and Cultural Services be authorised to agree contract extensions for Ferndown Leisure Centre, Blandford Leisure Centre and Dorchester Sports Centre for a further 2 years from the 1 April 2026 with an option for a further 1 year.

Reason for the decision

Procuring a single leisure contractor was best able to meet Council priorities and financial goals. A procurement strategy would set the timetable, tendering approach, service specifications, and risk management. Extending current contracts ensured centres stayed open during this process and transition.