28.08.07 SLL facilitates strategic partnerships for both West Berkshire DC and Kettering BC

Strategic Leisure Limited (SLL) was appointed by both WBDC and KBC to facilitate strategic partnerships for the management of their sports and leisure facilities. The aim of both partnerships was to secure a long term partner for the Councils to manage their facilities, and where possible secure investment in the existing stock, whilst providing the Councils with a best value procurement option, which would realise substantial and sustained cost savings.

Both externalisation processes involved developing strategic partnership documentation, testing the market, liasing with tenderers, hosting a Bidders’ Day, and evaluating all submissions from selected tenderers. SLL undertook significant conflict resolution in relation to procurement issues, and developed implementation proposals for the new partnerships.

The length of te contract is for a period of upto 15yrs for both councils and providing immediate cost savings, West Berkshire DC is set save £500,000 a year. SLL have now facilitated three such partnerships this year alone and have proved to be highly beneficial both financially and in creating better facilities and services for the community.