MANSFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Report of the Head of Regeneration, Leisure and Marketing
To
The Portfolio Holder for the Environment
For a Delegated Decision
On
12 December
DISABILITY ACCESS AUDIT FOR ALL LEISURE CENTRES
1.
SUMMARY
This report seeks approval to appoint Disability Nottinghamshire to undertake a
Disability Access Audit of all Leisure Centres currently owned by Mansfield District
Council or Nottinghamshire County Council (Meden Sports Centre) and managed by
Serco Leisure through the Mansfield District Leisure Trust at a cost of £2,930.00.
This does not appear on the Forward Plan as it is not a Key Decision
2.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To be resolved by the Portfolio Holder for the Environment
(i)
That disability Nottinghamshire are appointed to conduct a Disability
Access Audit at a cost of £2,930.00
3.
BACKGROUND
3.1
A motion was passed at a full Council meeting on 28 October 2014 to
undertake a disability access audit of all the leisure centres. The target date
set for completing this work is three months (February 2015).
3.2
The Leisure and Cultural Services Manager subsequently drafted the scope
the audit would follow.
3.3
In the interim, Serco Leisure have also extended their consultation on the new
gym proposals at the Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre.
3.4
The Leisure Development Manager and Serco representatives also met with
the English Federation for Disability Sport and the Inclusive Fitness Initiative
to get their views on how we could improve accessibility regarding the
proposed equipment and facilities in general.
3.5
Given the tight target deadline to complete this work, it was agreed that
following the normal procurement route would not be possible and that
Officers would seek approval for a Contract Regulations Exemption to appoint
Disability Nottinghamshire. Disability Nottinghamshire had been referred to in
MANSFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL
the Motion to Council; they are experienced in conducting access audits and
have the requisite specialist skills.
3.6
On 24 November Officers and the Portfolio Holder for the Environment met
with Disability Nottinghamshire to agree the scope and price.
4.
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
4.1
Option 1 - Recommended option
Appoint Disability Nottinghamshire to undertake a Disability Access Audit to
the agreed scope.
This will enable a timely response to the Council Motion by a competent,
experienced independent organisation.
4.2
Option 2 - Not recommended option
Undertake a procurement exercise.
This will result in a significant delay in completing the work and there are very
few alternative organisations that could undertake the audit and certainly none
that are local.
5.
RISK ASSESSMENT OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND OPTIONS
Risk
Risk Assessment
Financial
The cost of the audit
cannot be met from
existing budgets
The audit highlights
High
significant required
alterations to the
buildings
The audit will disrupt
Low
normal service
delivery
The findings of the
Medium
audit may damage the
reputation of the
Council and the Trust
Financial
Operation
Reputation
6.
Risk
Level
Low
Risk Management
The cost can be met from
existing budget provision
Only reasonable adjustments
are required to the structure of
the building.
The audit will not be intrusive
The audit will identify areas for
improvement but will also
highlight good practice. PR will
manage the media.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Vision – the works will support improvements so that people can enjoy an improved
quality of life within their neighbourhood.
MANSFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Revitalise our District, town centres & neighbourhoods – improvements to the facility
will encourage greater patronage and contribute to improvements in health.
7.
IMPLICATIONS
(a)
Relevant Legislation – Equality Act 2010 – there is a requirement on the
Council to deliver inclusive facilities and improve service delivery for persons
who are deemed to have protective characteristics.
The Building Regulations 2000, Approved Document M: access to and use of
buildings (2004 edition with 2013 update)
BS 8300:2009 with 2010 update design of buildings and their approaches to
meet the needs of disabled people.
(b)
Human Rights – See (a)
(c)
Equality and Diversity – See (a)
(d)
Climate change and environmental sustainability – No significant implications
(e)
Crime and Disorder – No significant implications
(f)
Budget /Resource – the cost of undertaking the audit will be met from existing
budgets.
8.
COMMENTS OF STATUTORY OFFICERS
(a)
Head of Paid Service –
No specific comments
(b)
Monitoring Officer –
The council`s procurement rules require that any
goods or services estimated to be for amounts in the range of £2001 to £20,000 shall
be by written quotation from at least three suppliers. The only exception to these
requirements are if the expenditure is less than £2,000 or if the services are to be
provided by a statutory body or if the goods/services are so urgent as to preclude
quotes being obtained or an extension to an existing contract or the services to be
supplied consists of repairs, enhancements or parts that can only be provided by a
particular supplier
(c)
Section 151 Officer – Budgetary implications are contained within the report
9.
CONSULTATION
English Federation for Disability Sport, The Inclusive Fitness Initiative,
Disability Nottinghamshire, Serco Senior Management, Fitness suite
customers.
10.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
None
MANSFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Report Author
Designation
Telephone
E-mail
-
K Brown
Leisure Development Manager
463029
kbrown@mansfield.gov.uk