Appendix 14 (a)
Blackpool Council
Overview and Scrutiny - Improving Services for the Community
Scrutiny Review Scope
Committee
Audit
Proposed Title
Hire Fee to Leisure Parcs for Conference Facilities
Scoping Date
11th September
2007
Criteria & reasons for selecting topic
At the Audit Committee meeting of the 12th June 2007 it was agreed to undertake a scrutiny review of
the processes undertaken in renewing the hire fee agreement between the Council and Leisure Parcs,
for conference facilities within Blackpool. The Committee wished to ensure that the Council was
achieving value for money in the provision of conference facilities.
Which objectives within the Corporate Performance Plan does this topic address?
The New Blackpool
As part of the resort regeneration the New Blackpool’s objective is to move towards a world class resort
destination that is ‘ a great place to visit, a better place to live’. This is to be achieved by developing the
local economy, building on heritage and improving the quality of tourism that is offered. The objective is
to impact upon Blackpool’s challenges by minimising the seasonal fluctuations in the economy and the
visitor base.
Values
The Corporate Plan identifies the values within this objective as follows:
 Looking Forward: To be focussed on the future for Blackpool, taking every opportunity to
improve the fortunes of the town
 Partnership: Wherever feasible, blending the skills and resources of the Council with partners in
the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to maximize beneficial outcomes for
Blackpool residents and businesses
Ambition
 To renew and regenerate the town so that it can become a world-class resort destination.
How is it envisaged that the scrutiny will assist in meeting the objectives listed above?
The scrutiny will examine key areas of the process undertaken to ascertain whether it meets the above
Council objectives.
What are the main objectives of the scrutiny?
The overall objectives of the scrutiny will be:
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To have an overview of the previous licence between First Leisure Corporation PLC and
Blackpool Council (dated 11th April 1986)
To have an understanding of the processes undertaken to reach the licence agreement between
Leisure Parcs Limited and Blackpool Council (dated 1st August 2007)
To suggest learning points and guidelines for the future
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Blackpool Council
Overview and Scrutiny - Improving Services for the Community
What specific issues will be addressed as part of the scrutiny?
The scrutiny will seek to examine the following areas throughout the review:
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Examine old licence
Consider how operated
Consider process for agreeing new licence
New licence
Upon completion of the scrutiny, recommendations will be produced to inform future commercial
partnerships with the Council.
What possible outcomes are envisaged in terms of service improvements / benefits to the
community?
The scrutiny will seek to make recommendations that are realistic and achievable and that ensure the
current arrangements are operating satisfactorily and in the best interest of the Council and the public.
How will the public be involved? (consider invitations/press releases for meetings, consultation
with community groups / clubs, etc)
Due to terms of the confidentiality agreement entered into by both parties, along with the sensitivity of
discussions between the Council and Leisure Parcs over the future of the Winter Gardens, consultation
cannot be entered into.
How will the scrutiny achieve value for money for the Council / council tax payers?
It is hoped that the scrutiny will facilitate the Council achieving better value for money from future
partnerships.
What primary / new evidence is needed for the scrutiny?
The Working Group will need to obtain information on:
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The previous licence between First Leisure Corporation PLC and Blackpool Council - dated 11th
April 1986
The licence agreement between Leisure Parcs Limited and Blackpool Council - dated 1st August
2007
Legal, commercial and confidentiality restrictions
The process undertaken to reach the licence agreement dated 1st August 2007
What secondary / existing information will be needed? (include background information /
existing reports (consider Internal Audit) / legislation / central government information & reports,
etc.
Licence agreements and file records of the legal processes undertaken to reach agreement for the new
licence.
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Blackpool Council
Overview and Scrutiny - Improving Services for the Community
Which council officers / departments will provide information / advice / assistance for the
scrutiny?
Julian Kearsley - Executive Director of Business Services
Maureen Pickup - Principal Solicitor and Section Head of the Property and Commercial Section
Margaret Carruthers – Principal Legal Officer
What type of meetings (e.g. fact finding, evidence gathering, consultations, questioning, site
visits), and how many in number are envisaged for the scrutiny?
Approximately five Working Group meetings are anticipated, mindful of the legal confidentiality issues.
Timescales / likely duration of enquiry
It is assumed that the scrutiny will be completed by March 2008.
Lead Scrutiny Officer
Sally Taylor, Democratic Services Senior Adviser
Working Group Members
Councillor Blackburn (Lead Member)
Councillors G Bell and Green
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