DECISION:

1.    Further to consideration of the options contained in the report, to agree that the insourcing option be progressed by officers.

2.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report.

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report.

Councillor Iqbal Hossain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, introduced the report which set out for the Mayor and Cabinet the different options for running the Leisure Service in the future to inform a decision on which model should be taken forward. Councillor Hossain summarised each of the four main options set out in the report and explained that, despite the officer recommendation to use an outsourced delivery model, he believed the option to bring the service in-house would offer better control over services and would improve service delivery overall.

Officers drew the Mayor and Cabinet’s attention to the advice contained in the report regarding the risks associated with each of the options and the need for an additional consultation process to be completed for the insourcing, trust and LA trading company options.

Cabinet discussed the report. They noted a number of points. With regards to the proposal to develop the insourcing option, the Cabinet indicated that

this option could deliver a better quality service; could help to provide local jobs; and would secure greater Council control over its state of the art leisure centres in the Borough. The Cabinet noted there were risks associated with the insourcing model and indicated hard work would be necessary to mitigate them, 

The Mayor welcomed the report and thanked officers and the lead member for their hard work. He indicated that he understood the risks of the insourcing option, but felt it was incumbent on the Mayor to take difficult decisions. He noted the report submitted explained his prerogative to diverge from officer recommendations. The Mayor indicated he was minded to progress the insourcing option as experience of outsourcing of services at LBTH had shown it can sometimes lead to a detriment to service provision. He felt that under the current provider cleanliness and maintenance had sometimes fallen below acceptable standards, there had been a lack of women-only spaces and activities had not been conveniently scheduled.

The Mayor explained be believed there were benefits to insourcing which make it an attractive option beyond a financial or VFM analysis. They included

·         greater control over affordability of leisure provision for residents;

·         increased flexibility for the Council over service provision;

·         clearer accountability for service provision for residents.

The Mayor noted that the success of the future leisure service would require prudence and the exercise of strong financial management. The recommendations were amended and agreed.

RESOLVED:

1.    Further to consideration of the options contained in the report, to agree that the insourcing option be progressed by officers.

2.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report.