Award

Deed of Variation of Leisure Management Contract

ST ALBANS CITY AND DISTRICT COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Mar 2025 at 15:35

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process conducted by St Albans City and District Council involves a variation to the Leisure Management Contract, specifically dealing with the management and operation of nine leisure facilities. This leisure services contract falls under the recreational, cultural, and sporting services industry. The procurement stage is at Award, with the contract modification dated 10 March 2025. The contractor engaged for this service is Sports and Leisure Management Limited, located in Hinckley, UKH23 region. The procurement method used was limited, involving a direct award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition, justified under Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

This tender offers excellent opportunities for businesses in the recreational and cultural services industry, particularly those specialising in leisure facility management. The adoption of the agency model for managing the leisure facilities will involve the contractor acting both as an agent and principal, which can streamline operations and potentially enhance profitability. Businesses with a strong background in providing leisure and maintenance services, as well as ancillary services such as theatre management and food retail, would be well-suited to compete. The modification includes financial provisions ensuring a Guaranteed Minimum Return (GMR) for the Authority, adding a layer of financial certainty that might be attractive for businesses ensuring sustainable growth and collaboration with regional authorities.

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Notice Title

Deed of Variation of Leisure Management Contract

Notice Description

St Albans City and District Council (the Authority) intends to enter into a deed of variation with Sports and Leisure Management Limited (the Contractor) in relation to the Leisure Management Contract for the Authority's nine leisure facilities dated 31 October 2022 (the Underlying Contract), for the adoption of an agency model for the future management of leisure facilities.

Lot Information

Lot 1

St Albans City and District Council (the Authority) intends to enter into a deed of variation with Sports and Leisure Management Limited (the Contractor) in relation to the Leisure Management Contract for the Authority's nine leisure facilities dated 31 October 2022 (the Underlying Contract), for the adoption of an agency model for the future management of leisure facilities.

Procurement Information

This VTN gives notice that the Authority is entering into a deed of variation (the "Contract") to make certain changes summarised in this VTN. A procurement procedure is not necessary on the basis that the award of the Deed of Variation of the Underlying Contract is permitted pursuant to Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Underlying Contract concerns the provision of a range of operation, management and related services, by the Contractor, in relation to nine sports and leisure facilities and two theatres. The Underlying Contract will be varied for the adoption of an agency model for the future operation and management of the nine sports and leisure facilities s. Under the current structure, the Contractor acts as Principal in the supply of leisure facilities to the public, so that the Authority is not making the supplies of leisure services. Under the new agency model, the Contractor would make supplies to the public as an Agent of the Authority. This modification is being made in accordance with regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Namely, the proposed modification is not substantial within the meaning of regulation 72(8) on the basis that: 1. the modification does not render the Underlying Contract materially different in character - the proposed modification remains limited to the same type, scope and nature of services, where the services will be delivered to the same facilities. The modifications only concern contractual changes to establish an agency model for VAT purposes so that the Contract to provide leisure services to the public on the Authority's behalf and other ancillary modifications. 2. the Council has satisfied itself that the modification does not introduce conditions which would have (a) allowed for the admission of other candidates, (b) allowed for the acceptance of another tender, or (c) attracted additional participants in the procurement procedure - the change to an agency model for VAT purposes does not change the service requirement or the way in which those services are provided, and is unlikely to have changed the outcome of the procurement. 3. The modification does not change the economic balance in favour of the contractor in a manner which was not provided for in the contract - The Authority has satisfied itself that the new agency model and VAT arrangement does not impact on the Contractor's Operating Costs and Management Fee under the Underlying Contract, which remains reflective of market costs and does not amount to an over-compensation of the services to be provided. The agency model will allow for a more certain financial position to the Authority and will provide a greater surplus share than previously anticipated. 4. As per our comments at 1. above, the modification does not extend the scope of the contract. For the reasons set out above, the proposed modification does not constitute a substantial modification and is permitted by regulation 72 of the Concession Contracts Regulations 2015.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04eb21
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008572-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

98330000 - Physical well-being services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£141,000,000 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Mar 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 Oct 20223 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ST ALBANS CITY AND DISTRICT COUNCIL
Contact Name
Nicholas Baxter
Contact Email
procurement@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1727819306

Buyer Location

Locality
TOWN
Postcode
POSTC ODE
Post Town
Not specified
Country
Not specified

Major Region (ITL 1)
Not specified
Basic Region (ITL 2)
Not specified
Small Region (ITL 3)
Not specified
Delivery Location
TLH23 Hertfordshire CC

Local Authority
Not specified
Electoral Ward
Not specified
Westminster Constituency
Not specified

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SPORTS AND LEISURE MANAGEMENT

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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