Case studies

In 2015 the Council produced a Leisure Strategy to inform the forthcoming procurement of its three leisure facilities.

In 2020 the first sports-based SIB, the Chances Programme, was launched in England as part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Life Chances Fund.

Central Bedfordshire council undertook a spatial modelling exercise to better understand the challenges of a increasing local population and plan how it could meet the increasing demand.

The council had previously assessed the leisure management options on the expiry of its leisure contract, and had decided to extend the contract in place for a period of 15 months in order to procure a new contract arrangement. As a result of COVID-19 this position proved unviable, as the council were providing significant financial support to their contractor, and a procurement during the pandemic was not likely to produce a beneficial result. The council therefore reassessed the options available, and as a result Cabinet agreed to transfer the leisure service to a wholly-owned council company called LeisureSK Ltd.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a wide-ranging impact on the parks service at Walsall.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an extensive impact on the parks service at Plymouth City Council.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the parks service at Rugby Borough Council.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the parks service at Nottingham City Council.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the parks service at Leeds City Council.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, parks proved their status as lifelines for local communities. The loss of external income due to the closure of income generating facilities in parks and the loss of in kind volunteer contributions have left parks services in a vulnerable state.