Purpose

To approve the future sport and leisure operating model and associated leisure management arrangements.

Decision

The Executive:-

(1)       Agrees to proceed with Option 2 (bringing the service in-house) by returning Sport and Physical Activity services to full Council control, winding down MCRactive as a company, and transferring all functions and staff into the council.

(2)       Agrees to bring the service back in-house one year and one month earlier than contract expiry, with a proposed go-live date of 1 February 2027.

(3)       Agrees to utilise the Council’s Shareholder Panel to oversee due diligence for the winding down of MCRactive and TUPE transfer of staff to ensure robust governance and assurance throughout.

(4)       Notes Sport England’s support for insourcing, subject to assurance that all savings are ringfenced and reinvested into community sport and physical activity.

(5)       Agrees to put in place a formal legal agreement to ensure continued, structured governance arrangements with Sport England.

(6)       Agrees to establish a Sport and Physical Activity Board following the wind down of the MCRactive Board.