Councillor Chris Meaden introduced a report of the Strategic Director – Families and Wellbeing following a golf ‘soft market testing’ exercise carried out in May 2014.  The report informed that there was interest from specialist golf operators in taking over the management and operation (including the grounds maintenance) of the Municipal Golf Courses on the Wirral (excluding the Hoylake Municipal Golf Course).

The Cabinet was reminded that it had agreed, at its meeting on 7 July 2014 that officers would proceed to the next stage of a more formal procurement exercise.  (Minute No. 38 refers.) 

Wirral Council had agreed to a joint procurement exercise with Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC) to make the contract more appealing for bidders and potentially increase the level of saving for each Authority.  The Strategic Director’s report informed the Cabinet of the progress to date in terms of the joint golf procurement exercise with CWaC.  It was noted that the Legal and Procurement advice, following the evaluation exercise, was that where there was only one bidder it was very difficult to prove ‘value for money’.  The Government Guidance (‘OGC/HMT 2008 Guidance on Competitive Dialogue’) indicated that in the absence of two or more bidders the exercise should be abandoned. 

The Council’s partners in the exercise, CWaC had sought a quick decision regarding the Council’s approach to a single bidder scenario.  The Cabinet was informed that following discussion with the Cabinet Member – Leisure, Sport and Culture and the Leader of the Council, it had been decided to notify CWaC of the Council’s intention to withdraw from the procurement procedure due to the value for money principle. 

The Strategic Director’s report sought the Cabinet’s support for the decision to withdraw from the procurement exercise with CWaC and for the management and operation of the golf courses to remain with the Council, at this point in time.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  It be agreed that the Council formally withdraws from the Golf procurement exercise with Cheshire West and Chester; and

(2)  a further report be provided for consideration at a future Cabinet meeting on the future provision of golf on the Wirral.