Public sector news


OCL and Link4Life secure new strategic alliance


Oldham Community Leisure (OCL) and Link4Life have announced a new strategic alliance in a bid to deliver local leisure and cultural services “more economically”. T e deal will see the social enterprises


join forces to seek best value opportunities and identify where joint schemes can gen- erate savings and enhance eff ectiveness. Among the priority areas to be targeted


are health improvement; marketing; and the procurement of central service con- tracts, such as cash collection, in addition to reciprocal gym membership.


NAO in 2012 Games cost warning


The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned there is a “real risk” that more public money may be needed to fund the 2012 London Games. In its latest progress report,


the NAO found that nearly the entire £9.298bn budget will be required, with little scope to cover any unforeseen costs. T e study welcomed “good


progress” in almost all main areas but identifi ed challenges relating to the provision of security and “some elements” of transport planning. NAO head Amyas Morse


T e report said nearly the entire public sector budget will be needed


said: “T e programme to deliver the venues and infrastructure for the 2012 Games remains on course, so it looks as if value for money will be achieved in this area. “But, in my view, the likelihood that the


Games can still be funded within the exist- ing £9.3bn public sector funding package is so


T e new Harborne facility is nearing completion


DC Leisure to run new Birmingham pool


DC Leisure has been chosen by Birmingham City Council (BCC) to operate and manage the city’s fi rst new public swimming pool to be built for more than 20 years. T e £12.2m Harborne Pool and Fitness


Centre will remain under BCC ownership, with facilities to include a 25m main pool; a learner pool; and a 60-station adult gym. An interactive children’s fi tness suite


and an aerobics and dance studio are also proposed as part of the facility, which is scheduled to open on 3 January and is cur- rently £600,000 under budget.


Dispute over Sheffi eld leisure investment


A Sheffi eld City councillor has criticised a decision by the ruling administration to reallocate some of the cash earmarked for a leisure centre revamp to other facilities. Stocksbridge Leisure Centre had been


due to benefit from £300,000 worth of improvements, but £200,000 has now been reallocated to three other venues as well. Local councillor Jack Clarkson urged the


local authority to reverse the decision and to seek funding for the other three schemes from other sources, but his motion was rejected at a meeting held last month.


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fi nely balanced that there is a real risk more money will be needed.” T e publication of the NAO’s report came


a day aſt er a government report into prepara- tions for the 2012 Games said that the event in the summer will be delivered “on time and within budget”.


Deputy PM reveals £1bn Youth Contract


Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced details of the government’s new Youth Contract, a £1bn programme that is designed to help young people into employment. T e initiative, which will


launch next April, will cover a three-year period and includes wage subsidies worth £2,275 per year for employers who recruit 18-to-24-year-olds. It is hoped the programme


will help at least 410,000 young people into employ- ment, with a focus on getting the most “disengaged” 16- and 17-year-olds into school or college. Extra funding for apprenticeships and £50m to help people “persistently” not in education, employ- ment or training will also be available. Clegg said: “This is a £1bn package and


Launching in April, the initiative will target out-of-work young people


what’s diff erent about it is it gets young people in to proper, lasting jobs in the private sector. But it’s a contract, a two-way street: if you sign up for the job, they’ll be no signing on for the dole. You have to stick with it.”


CABE to be formally dissolved next year


T e Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) is to be dissolved next year, having being earmarked for closure in the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review. Subject to Parliamentary approval, dissolution will take place aſt er minister John Penrose laid


Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital


a statutory instrument and explanatory mem- orandum at the Houses of Parliament. CABE has already transferred design review


activities to a Design Council subsidiary, with Open City Architecture taking on its joint built education scheme with English Heritage.


ISSUE 1 2012 © cybertrek 2011


IMAGE: ANTHONY CHARLTON/ODA


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