Decision

To agree that North Northamptonshire Council:

Appoint the Councils Legal Team to finalise a 15-year contract for Advantage Sports Group CIC to manage the tennis court bookings and coaching services at Burton Latimer, North Park and Ise Valley courts in Kettering.

Appoint NNC Asset Team to prepare a Licence to Operate.

Reasons for the decision

Leaving the courts in their current condition will lead to a permanent loss of tennis provision, loss of potential income, further deterioration of playing surfaces and an increased risk to the Council for personal injury claims and reputational damage. This goes against the Council’s Leisure Facility Strategy.

In addition, future potential attendances will reduce which would contradict the Council’s Active Communities Strategy aims.

Outsourcing the booking opportunities and the provision of a coaching programme enabled NNC Leisure Services to tender a detailed specification of services which will give the successful operator license to operate on the Council’s behalf, identifying the income requirements for such, and the expectation of operator investment.