The Woking Borough Council met to discuss recommendations from the Executive, and to decide on the award of a Leisure Management Contract. The council voted to award the leisure contract to the highest scoring tenderer for an initial period of ten years, with the option to extend for two further periods of five years. They also delegated authority to the Strategic Director - Communities and Director of Legal and Democratic Services to finalise the contract.

Leisure Management Contract

The council voted to award the contract for managing the borough's leisure centres to the highest scoring tenderer. The initial contract is for ten years, with the possibility of two five-year extensions. The [Leisure Management Contract Award report][EXE25-069 PART I Leisure Management Contract Award.pdf] details the decision to award the contract to the highest scoring tenderer for an initial contract period of ten years, with provision to extend the contract for two periods of five years. The Strategic Director - Communities and Director of Legal and Democratic Services have been authorised to finalise the contract, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

The contract includes the operation and management of four leisure centres:

• Woking Leisure Centre
• Pool in the Park
• Woking Sportsbox
• Eastwood Leisure Centre

The Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy (SLC) and Freeths LLP provided specialist support for the procurement process.

The council's key strategic objectives for the new contract are to:

• Ensure leisure services are financially sustainable and deliver best value, working towards a self-funding service model.
• Support residents to live healthy, active and fulfilling lives by providing access to a range of inclusive and affordable opportunities to be physically active and socially engaged within their community.
• Optimise the value of the council's leisure assets and services through delivery of high-quality employment and training opportunities, improved and well-maintained facilities and wider social value.

The council hosted a 'Bidders Day' at Eastwood Leisure Centre on 27 January 2025.

The [report][EXE25-069 PART I Leisure Management Contract Award.pdf] details the evaluation of the bids, with the highest score awarded to Bidder Three, who achieved an overall score of 91.0% based on price and quality.

Some of the benefits of the preferred bidder include:

i. A neighbourhood-based Active Wellbeing programme targeting inactive residents in deprived ward areas in non-traditional settings.

ii. An increased focus on reducing consumption and sustainability initiatives.

iii. Several bidder committed capital investments to improve the facilities.

iv. Significant Social Value return created through the contract.

v. Relevant experience of mobilising and delivering contracts of this size.

The council will notify tenderers of the contract award decision, providing feedback on their submissions and scores. A 10-day standstill period will follow before the contract is officially awarded.

Public Question

A question was raised by Adrian Roberts regarding the cleaning of Victoria Arch railway bridge/tunnel, as it is a poor entrance to Woking from the south. The [Questions from Members of Public report][WBC25-031 Questions from Members of Public.pdf] contains the question from Adrian Roberts.