Issue - meetings

The Panel noted a report introduced by the Director of Communities, Partnerships and Leisure in regards to leisure management arrangements.  It was recognised that due to a number of factors, including the impact of COVID-19 on the leisure market as a whole, the Council and Fusion had agreed to end the current leisure management arrangements to allow each party to reshape their activities in light of the significant changes needed due to the pandemic.  The Panel understood that the negotiations included all areas of the leisure management arrangements, including debt repayment, service development, building maintenance and contract breakage clauses, with a view to seek best value for the Council across a range of considerations.

On the recommendation by the Principal Solicitor Commercial, Education and Employment, that in accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 and under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, the Panel moved to consider details of the negotiations in a “closed session”.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.