The current Bexhill Leisure Centre (BLC) and Bexhill Leisure Pool (BLP) operating contract with Freedom Leisure (FL) was due to expire on 31 March 2024.  To enable the Council to continue to offer a sustainable level of leisure activities, whilst future options were considered in accordance with the Council’s the Health and Wellbeing: Leisure Facilities Strategy, a two-year extension to the current contract, with FL on the same terms and specification until 31 March 2026 was sought.  It was confirmed that this could be achieved in compliance with public and Council procurement rules.

It was reported that a soft market test completed in February 2023 had indicated that most contractors would only consider a 10-to-15-year contract period, and better terms for the Council could be achieved if the facilities were new or refurbished to a good standard.

In recognition of the short-term nature of the proposal and as aspects of internal fixtures and fittings were aging it had been previously agreed that £60,000 would be added to the Capital Programme to support minor improvements to enhance the facilities during the new contract period.

The long-term future of leisure facilities and their management would be the subject of a future paper, detailing the options available to the Council for the provision of leisure facilities from the 1 April 2026.  It was noted that a revenue neutral position was unlikely to continue beyond that date without significant capital investment from the Council, either into refurbishing the existing centres or the development of new facilities.

RESOLVED: That a proposed new contract with Freedom Leisure for the management of Bexhill Leisure Centre and Leisure Pool for 2024-26 be agreed on the same terms as existing contract and at nil revenue cost to the Council.