Northumberland County Council – Leisure procurement support

Background

Northumberland County Council commissioned SLC in December 2022 to support the procurement of a new leisure management contract.

SLC had previously acted as a critical friend earlier in the year, as the Council made plans to retender its leisure management contract. As part of this initial phase of work, SLC supported the Council with:

• Testing the leisure operator market to better understand the market’s openness to risk transfer and appetite for new contract opportunities
• Developing an understanding of baseline affordability for any re-procurement exercise
• Developing an understanding of the impact of transferring the leisure services to an LATC.

Following the initial phase of work, SLC was commissioned to provide ‘end to end’ support throughout the procurement process, through delivery of the following staged workstreams.

The procurement followed a major leisure review in Northumberland undertaken by the Council that looked to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in the county. The review resulted in a county-wide strategy involving a range of partners to tackle inequalities, increase physical activity, improve access and encourage greater participation in physical activity. Supporting the delivery of this strategy was to be the focus of the new contract.

Pre-Procurement support

SLC worked with the Council’s Project Group to identify the service-specific strategic objectives which would direct and guide the future delivery of its leisure services, building on the Council’s new strategic direction.

The Council decided to include the following core facilities within the scope of its new leisure operating contract (many of which were new or had been the subject of significant recent investment):

• Ashington Leisure Centre
• Berwick Sports & Leisure Centre
• Blyth Sports Centre
• Concordia Leisure Centre
• Morpeth Sports & Leisure Centre
• Newbiggin Sports and Community Hub
• Ponteland Leisure Centre
• Prudhoe Waterworld
• Wentworth Leisure Centre
• Willowburn Sports & Leisure Centre

A robust procurement strategy was developed, informed by market insight and presenting an optimal balance of risk. The critical friend support SLC previously provided was also used when designing the procurement strategy. Managing the Council’s preferred risk levels whilst ensuring the opportunity was attractive to the operator market and would meet community needs was critical.

The new services specification reflected the new strategic approach and included a requirement for a new Active Communities Programme of outreach interventions. This aimed to target less active residents and rural communities whilst reducing inequalities.

SLC developed all tender documents and supported legal colleagues to develop the new contract. This was in accordance with the agreed procurement strategy and built on Sport England templates.

Procurement process

SLC provided ongoing support to the Council throughout the procurement process, which included:

• Advice on responses to clarification questions
• Supporting the delivery of a market interest day
• Evaluating bids
• Facilitating bidder negotiation meetings
• Providing analysis and advice on financial submissions.

Project outcome

Following the comprehensive and robust two-stage tender process, the Council received six compliant bids for its new contract. The level of market interest reflected the unique opportunity presented by such an extensive portfolio of exceptional facilities and the Council’s forward-thinking focus on active wellbeing.

After a thorough evaluation process, the new 10-year Community Leisure and Wellbeing Services Management Contract, commencing in April 2024, was awarded to Places for People Leisure Management Limited (Places).

The Council and Places Leisure will collaborate on investment and improvement opportunities at the facilities and work with wider stakeholders to design and deliver the new Active Communities Programme.

This new outreach programme will deliver activities within community settings, parks and open spaces rather than in core facilities to enable residents to be more active in local places. This is particularly important given the size and rural nature of the County.

TESTIMONIAL