Dudley Council ends search for external operator

Dudley Council has decided to take direct control of its leisure facilities and services, cutting short a tendering process to find an external operator for them.

The council had been carrying out a tender exercise for leisure provision in recent months. However, the council said that “significant work” had been made since the turn of the year to improve the local authority’s financial position, which had “delivered on identified savings”.

As a result of the cost-cutting, Dudley Council leader, Patrick Harley, said the council would now look at options for retaining leisure provision within its direct control.

Harley added that, following the review of tender applications, the council is no longer seeking to award an external contract.

“The council has been and remains committed to ensuring high-quality, inclusive and accessible leisure services in the borough that also deliver value for money for council taxpayers,” he said. “Over the last few months, we’ve carefully considered the tenders put forward by external providers. Our due diligence suggests that the best value for money in leisure centres does not lie with outsourcing at this time.”

Dudley Council owns three leisure centres – Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre, Crystal Leisure Centre and Halesowen Leisure Centre – and an outdoor sports venue, Dell Stadium.