Purpose

The existing contract with Complete Pools expired on the 23rd April 2025 after a 2-year contract. The contract allows for a 12-month extension, which remains a viable option.
Due to the contract having already expired, it is essential that we take immediate steps to extend the current agreement to ensure continuity of service. This extension would cover the interim period from May to July, and then continue through to April 2026, allowing sufficient time to plan and execute a full mini competition without compromising operational delivery.
Given the current lack of internal capacity to undertake a full procurement process and the critical nature of maintaining chemical supply for pool operations, it is therefore recommended that the contract with Complete Pools be extended under the existing terms. It should be noted that the current costs for the chemicals under the contract terms will also remain unless changed by ESPO.

Decision

To extend Complete Pools’ existing contract to supply pool chemicals for Tendring District Council (TDC) under the ESPO framework under a contract variation. Costs will be met from dedicated revenue accounts and are estimated at £21,000, (this is based on a need and demand, and this figure is based on 24/25 budget spend). The contract will then be reprocured after this period.
This extension will ensure continuity of service across all relevant leisure sites and maintain compliance with health and safety standards for water treatment. The contract extension is proposed for a 12-month period, covering operations from May 2025 through to April 2026.

Alternative options considered

Not to extend Complete Pools contract and re-procure the services. This would be best value and delivery because:
• Alternative suppliers, while available, may present even higher costings, as the framework was refreshed 14/05/2024 offering limited relief from the current financial pressures.
• The time taken to re-procure the service would be longer than implementing the pre-existing one-year extension to the current contract, which is critical to running the swimming pools.