SUMMARY

As part of Shropshire Council’s transformation agenda, Culture & Leisure services had commissioned independent consultants (Strategic Leisure) in October 2010 to review various options for transforming the way that Culture & Leisure Services were delivered going forward over the next three years within a financially sustainable framework outside of the Council Management structure.

At its meeting on the 16 March 2011 Cabinet approved the commissioning of five community leisure facilities (Bridgnorth Leisure Centre, Market Drayton Swimming Centre, Oswestry Leisure Centre, Shrewsbury Sports Village and Indoor Bowls Hall, & Whitchurch Swimming Centre).

Subsequently at its meeting on the 3 August 2011 Cabinet approved the recommendation to also include the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre within the competitive tender process and to advertise the contract opportunity as a single entity with one operator sought.

Bridgnorth Leisure Centre was originally built as part of the school premises and had, since 1973, with the agreement of the Governors also provided for community use mainly outside of the school priority times. As the primary user the school was ultimately responsible for ensuring that the facilities were available for the delivery of the curriculum. A decision on the future management and operation of the Leisure Centre, therefore, required the Governors’ support.

The Governors of the Endowed School at Bridgnorth (where the Leisure Centre is located) confirmed at their meeting on the 12th October 2011 that they would like more time to consider their future options and would prefer to not be included within the current competitive tendering process.

Cabinet - 11/16/2011

George Candler - Cabinet

Recommendations:

Decisions reached: