On 6 June, 10 Local Authorities and organisations from across England enjoyed a day of learning, knowledge transfer and engagement with SLC’s Leisure Procurement experts on optimising their leisure procurement.

The session was designed to provide a platform for best practice, sharing of lessons learned and promote the development of more effective partnerships, leisure and cultural contracts and outcomes.

The following key themes were explored at the Think Tank based on delegates’ key needs:

  • establishing need to shape leisure and cultural strategies and any subsequent pre-procurement strategy
  • exploring opportunities to achieve wider strategic outcomes through leisure procurement
  • re-provision and procurement of a new leisure facility and operating contract through a Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) contract
  • key insights from local authorities coming to the end of their existing operational contracts
  • achieving better outcomes and reduced subsidies / positive management fees.

Ten leading local authorities were represented by Officers; Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Havant Borough Council, East Hampshire District Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, London Borough of Brent, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London Sport, and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

The case studies on the day included Westway Trust and Worcester City Council, both demonstrating how a leisure procurement can secure a quality partnership focusing on outcomes and an outstanding result on their management fee linked to capital investment and facility development.

Duncan Wood-Allum commented, “We were extremely pleased with the day. The quality of discussion and debate was engaging and at the right level for the strategic leaders that attended. Facilitated by SLC’s Managing Consultants David Rushton and Toby Kingsbury, delegates had a constructive day of sharing best practice and lessons learnt.”

Delegates commented, “Good format. Interaction was highly beneficial.” and “It was an interesting session with lots of advice and good practice.”

 

SLC has been running industry leading Think Tanks since its inception in 2010 and is running its next sessions on Sustainable Leisure and Cultural Services on 27 (Manchester) and 28 (Birmingham) September 2017, respectively. Further details are available on request.

For more information call us on 01444 459927 or email info@slc.uk.com