2024 Cooperative Case Studies
- May 2024
Stevenage Borough Council established a new leisure trust in 1998 with a 25-year contract. Whilst this was right at the time, ahead of it coming to an end in 2022-23, we set about a whole system review working extensively with residents and community and sporting groups, which resulted in the “Stevenage Leisure Eco System”. An innovative approach to procurement has resulted in a leisure contract that is no longer limited to physical assets but rather focused on health creation in communities, maximising open spaces, community assets and informal networks.
This was coupled with an options appraisal resulting in a mixed economy approach to delivering leisure functions, with some services delivered in-house and some delivered through partnering arrangements. This was to ensure that we were prepared to meet not only current demands but also consider how residents’ needs may continue to evolve.
Geoff Caine
Culture Wellbeing & Leisure Services Manager
Stevenage Borough Council