We want to take this opportunity to set the record straight, so we have gathered together the top five questions and put them to Conservative Councillor David Sharland, who has responsibility for Community Safety and Wellbeing – including Leisure Services:

Q1 - Will the Dorking Halls or Mole Valley’s Leisure Facilities be privatised?

A1 – No, Mole Valley District Council will retain ownership of all the Leisure facilities, including the Dorking Halls. What’s happening is that the Council are looking at whether the management of these facilities could be better provided by an external party. We are also looking closely at what it would be possible to achieve ourselves. We want to ensure that the service quality in our leisure facilities gives good value for money for both customers and local tax payers.

Q2 - Will existing community users continue to get priority for booking the facilities?

A2 – Yes, All existing arrangements will need to be continued by whoever operates the management of these facilities. The interests of the user groups will be protected by a robust contract, which protects their identity and their unique use of the Halls. Full details of the specifications can be found on Mole Valley’s website.

Q3 –Will charges increase as a result of this change?

A3 – Any change of management of the facilities will of itself not increase charges. In fact the introduction of up to date management ideas from elsewhere should help keep charges down and it could be that the Council still has to be consulted about changes to the fees and charges. The on-going management team, whether the District Council or another party, will continually review charges to ensure that they remain reasonable. We are acutely aware that some specific user groups would see a significant change in their own financial circumstances, if there were even small changes to pricing. Therefore the proposed contractual arrangements will make sure that their use of the facilities can continue.

Q4 – How much does Mole Valley spend on Leisure Services at the moment?

A4 – In 2006-07 Mole Valley spent £3.2m on Leisure Centres, the Dorking Halls and other Leisure Services, in part offset by £1.1m of directly related income. Taking the management of these services through a tendering process (which includes the option of the council retaining management) will demonstrate whether we are going to get value for money for tax payers and customers. Also in 2006 to 2007 we invested £0.5m of capital in improving the facilities. Any new management team would need to decide whether further capital investments are required in future. We are looking to maintain a quality, value for money service for our residents. If the bids fail because they do not meet our requirements, we can keep the facilities under Mole Valley’s management.

Q5 – When we will know what the outcome is?

A5 – The tendering process has been undertaken in line with strict government rules that make sure that no potential bidder gets an unfair advantage. Unfortunately this restricts how much we have been able to say in response to the various rumours – this is as frustrating to us as it must be to everyone else in Mole Valley. The Council meets on the 3^rd June 2008 to decide whether to take any received bid forward into further negotiations and after that we expect to be able to be able to give residents and staff a much clearer picture of the future.

Mole Valley Conservative Group of Councillors

17^th May 2008