Issue - meetings

The Deputy Leader presented the report which was the same report that had been presented to the recent Finance and Economic Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 May 2026.

The report updated the Committee on Phase 1 of the Leisure Improvements Programme and followed on from the report presented to the Finance and Economic Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18 November 2025 when the funding allocation criteria had been agreed.

The scope of works had been put together by Officers, consultants and with the help of Welland Procurement to procure the works through an open tender process.   Nine formal submissions were received and following evaluation Northdown Property Services were identified as the preferred contractor.  At the meeting on 5 May 2026 the Cabinet approved the award of the contract to Northdown Property Services. 

Northdown Property Servicers were a leading property refurbishment and property maintenance company based in Peterborough and had experience of delivering similar projects with members of the team having differing trades.  The total contract value (£321,222) had come in significantly under that budgeted (£500,000) and due diligence checks had been undertaken by Officers in respect of the costs contained in the tender with most savings being seen at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre.   The pricing difference (£162,778) would be carried over to Phase 2 of the programme to allow for a greater scope of works to be carried out.

It was noted that there was the opportunity to vary works slightly if the chance arose whilst works were being carried out and a delegation had been put in place for the Section 151 Officer to utilise some of the savings if necessary.  Work was on going with the consultants to identify the scope of the works for Phase 2 of the programme which would be procured with the Welland Procurement Team.

The Deputy Leader reminded the Committee that refurbishment works had been discussed for two years by the Committee.  It was noted that during the refurbishment works there would be “a little pain” and that meant that the Grantham Meres Leisure Pool would have to be closed for a period of time.  Work at Bourne and Stamford Leisure Pools could be completed without the need for pool closures, however this was unavoidable at Grantham. 

Opportunities had been looked at to overcome this but unfortunately this had not been possible. Close working was being carried out with LeisureSK Ltd to keep the closure to an absolute minimum, but a closure of the pool would have to take place at the most convenient time to LeisureSK Ltd which was likely to be after the swim school programme had closed for the summer.

The Team Leader Leisure, Parks and Open Spaces informed the Committee that meetings had recently took place with the contractor to finalise options and to see about keeping the Meres Leisure Pool open, but it was looking increasingly likely that the pool would have to close of a period of time due to health and safety issues whilst  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67

The Deputy Leader of the Council presented the report which provided an update on phase 1 of the leisure improvements programme.

Following on from the previous report to the Committee on 18 November 2025, where the funding application was agreed. Officers had been working with consultants to finalise the scope of the works.

The procurement attracted high levels of interest, and a total of nine formal submissions were received.

Following the evaluation, Northdown Property Services were identified as the preferred contractor and subsequently Cabinet approved the contract award on 5 May 2026.

Northdown Property Services are a leading property refurbishment and maintenance company based in Peterborough, with experience of delivering similar projects.

The total cost of the contact was under the proposed budget of £500,000 at a cost of £321,222 with some savings seen particularly at Grantham Meres leisure centre.

Officers had carried out due diligence checks which included pricing clarifications during the tender evaluation process and receiving written confirmation from Northdown Property Services that their submission was correctly priced.

This meant that £162,778 would be carried forward into phase 2 of the programme and would allow a greater scope of works to be included.

In addition to mobilising the contract with Northdown Property Services included liaison with LeisureSK Ltd. Officers were engaging with consultants to identify the scope of works for phase 2, which would be procured.

The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer confirmed that a delegation had been put into place for himself in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council, to vary contract works on the site if further works are required.

A query was raised on when the works would commence.

It was confirmed works were due to take place at the end of June 2026, after mobilisation of the contract and liaison with LeisureSK Ltd.

Concern was raised on disruption of the works to users of the leisure centre. The level of disruption and impact on timetables was queried.

The Deputy Leader of the Council confirmed the biggest disruption would be at Grantham Meres leisure centre. The works were due to be scheduled during summer time, when the swim club closes.

One Member sought clarification on whether the works would be completed prior to the 6-week school holidays.

It was noted the pool at Grantham Meres leisure centre was less utilised in the school holidays and therefore the works would most likely take place during that time. Works would take place on a sequential basis, meaning that works would take place on one leisure centre at a time.

A query was raised on the level of threat from other privately operated leisure facilities in terms of losing members at Stamford leisure centre.

The Deputy Leader of the Council clarified that at present there was no threat from privately operated leisure facilities, however, this may peak in the future.

Further concern was raised around the Grantham Meres swimming pool being closed for the duration of the 6-week school holidays.

The Team Leader –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85