Issue - decisions

The previous Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and Leisure introduced the report which advised of the opportunity to accept the early surrender of Tenterden Leisure Trust’s lease for Tenterden Leisure Centre. This would enable the Council to lead a procurement exercise to appoint a leisure operator in readiness for when the current contract with Serco Leisure expired on 31^st March 2021. The report also proposed an investment proposal for the Centre to be considered as part of the procurement exercise via prudential borrowing.

The previous Portfolio Holder said he wanted to publically thank Tenterden Leisure Trust for their service, hard work and dedication over the years. He believed the Council and the public owed those involved a real debt of gratitude.

Resolved:

That    (i)         the early surrender of Tenterden Leisure Trust’s lease for        Tenterden Leisure Centre be accepted, on terms to be agreed in a   Memorandum of Understanding and an appropriate Surrender       Lease between the Council and the Trust.

(ii)        a procurement exercise with associated costs and responsibilities be agreed so that a new contract can be entered in to for 1^st April 2021.

(iii)       a cost neutral or more favourable package be agreed by the Council within the procurement exercise. Authority be delegated to the Head of Finance and IT, in consultation with her Portfolio Holder, to agree appropriate arrangements to facilitate the new contract.

(iv)       authority be delegated to the Heads of Corporate Property and Projects and Culture, Tourism and Leisure, in consultation with their respective Portfolio Holders, to agree relevant procurement documentation and contracts to give effect to the above.