Sports England has developed a guidance note which is particularly relevant for local authorities who have outsourced the management of their facilities to external operators.
We understand that many leisure operators are concerned about rising energy costs. To help, Sports England has developed a guidance note which is particularly relevant for local authorities who have outsourced the management of their facilities to external operators.
The advice may also help local authorities that manage their leisure facilities in-house and leisure operators. It identifies some actions that can be taken to help mitigate the impact and risk of rising costs. The hints and tips contained within the guidance note are drawn from discussions with multiple leisure operators and local authorities across England.
The guidance note is available on the Sport England website: Managing the impact of higher energy costs on community leisure provision – a guide for local authorities
In the guidance several areas have been identified for local authorities to consider which includes information on the energy market, how to manage finances and reviewing your current contract position.
Sport England support
Sport England can provide financial support to local authorities of up to £5,000 to assess their utilities position locally through the deployment of some consultancy services. If the consultancy costs exceed £5,000 any shortfall will be payable by the local authority.
This consultancy support should be used to help the local authority assess the risks and issues be they contractual, or to do with financial stability and therefore inform decision making locally. The focus will be on helping to ensure services can be retained and protected and that both parties are able to meet the challenges in coming months.
The output of the consultancy support will be a report summarising the local authorities position and a report will need to be produced within three months of your acceptance of the funding offer. The consultant procured should be one of those on Lot A of the Sport England Active Environments Framework which would allow most local authorities to use the direct award process for work under £10,000. Any local authorities not signed up to the framework can do so by completing the access agreement which can be obtained at the same time as the expression of interest.
If you’d like to express an interest in this offer send an email to [email protected] in the first instance and include:
- local authority name
- name, address, email and telephone number of the key contact, number of contracts.
You may also wish to raise concerns and issues with your regional LGA Principal Adviser.
Yours sincerely,
Lisa Dodd-Mayne
Executive Director, Place
