RESOLVED

That Cabinet agreed to rescind its decision of 12^th January 2023 and:

1)      APPROVED the extension of the Stevenage Leisure Limited contract for the operation of the Catmose Sports Centre for up to 24 months, to 31st March 2025, to enable the development and implementation of a new model for future provision and in particular to conduct a new tender exercise under which the Council could invite and/or not discount alternative bides that may come with some financial risk and/or contribution to allow such bids to be evaluated.

2)      DELEGATED authority to the Strategic Director for Places in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to agree terms for an extension to the contract with Stevenage Leisure Limited based on an open book approach and underwriting financial risk; and to agree a position on dilapidations.

3)      DELEGATED authority to the Strategic Director for Places in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to explore business continuity arrangements for the duration of the contract extension.

4)      APPROVED the use of the existing £300k provision set aside to exit the facility or fund the extension of the contract to also cover any costs associated with procurement and negotiations