CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS CHOOSE OUTSIDE COMPANY TO RUN LEISURE CENTRE
Mole Valley District Council met on Tuesday, the 3rd June 2008 to decide whether to hand over the management of Leatherhead Leisure Centre to an outside company. Councillors voted to adopt the recommendation of the officers, which was for a preferred bidder to run the Centre from October 2008.
Conservative Councillor, David Sharland, Portfolio Holder for Health, Safety and Wellbeing said:-
"This has been a rigorous process, and we have taken great care in reaching this decision. We had to be sure of our bidder’s ability to maintain and exceed existing levels of quality and customer care. In addition we have secured protection for Leisure Centre staff, and we have an assurance from the successful bidder that they will be a good employer. In fact throughout the process, our bidder has expressed every interest in keeping existing staff.
We think this is the right way to deliver better services for better value, whilst saving money. I would like to thank the officers of Mole Valley for all their hard work and the staff of the leisure facilities for their patience.
The financial benefits are huge. We should save nearly £350,000 per year but at the same time, Leisure Centre charges will be set jointly by the Council and the successful bidder.
This was never about selling off our Leisure Centre, or giving the income from our refurbishment away. The council will continue to own the land and buildings, but the facility will be run from the outside. The Conservative Administration of Mole Valley has taken a bold decision, but it’s one based on common sense."
Conservative Group of Councillors for Mole Valley
3rd June 2008