Improving Your Leisure Venues
The management of three more of the Council's leisure sites will transfer to
Hertsmere Leisure from 1 January 2008.
"Three Rivers District Council has appointed Hertsmere Leisure to manage three more of its major leisure sites from January 2008.
The transfer of the Sir James Altham Pool and The Centre in South Oxhey, and Rickmansworth Public Golf Course , was confirmed at a meeting of the Council on 21 May.
Hertsmere Leisure have already demonstrated their ability to work with existing venue staff to deliver high quality leisure services for the residents of Three Rivers. Extending their contract will allow even more people to benefit from their expertise and commitment."
Councillor Chris Whately-Smith
TRDC Portfolio holder for Leisure and Community
"Hertsmere Leisure is absolutely delighted to be further involved with the management of leisure facilities on behalf of Three Rivers District Council. We are looking forward to working with staff at the venues to ensure that local communities continue to enjoy high quality services."
Phil Collins
Chief Executive, Hertsmere Leisure
Why is this transfer happening?
Like all local authorities, Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) has a responsibility to get the best value it can for its residents.
TRDC put the management of its leisure venues out to competitive tender in 2005. Bids were received from both commercial and not-for-profit companies, and were assessed for quality as well as price, before a contract was awarded to Hertsmere Leisure.
Which venues will be affected and when?
What is Hertsmere Leisure?
Hertsmere Leisure is a not-for-profit company and a registered charity which was initially established in 2002 to manage leisure venues on behalf of Hertsmere Borough Council.
As well as managing William Penn Leisure Centre and the Fairway Inn on behalf of TRDC, it also manages other leisure venues for Hertfordshire County Council and Milton Keynes Council.
What difference will this make to my favourite activity?
Hertsmere Leisure will take over all current activity 'as is' on 1 January 2008. Customers should notice little or no change, and certainly no break in service. Hertsmere Leisure will then be responsible for developing and improving services in the future.
The contract includes targets for improvements in service quality, numbers of users and customer satisfaction. Their performance will be closely monitored by Council officers, and regularly reported to Councillors at open meetings.
Will the cost of my membership increase?
All current charges and membership fees will remain unchanged until the end of March 2008 at least. Hertsmere Leisure will then be responsible for setting charges from April 2008 onwards. The contract includes maximum levels above which certain charges cannot rise.
Hertsmere Leisure will contact all customers with monthly or annual memberships at The Centre, Sir James Altham Pool and the Golf Course when they are due for renewal, with information concerning any changes to their membership.
What will happen to the staff?
All TRDC staff currently working at Sir James Altham Pool and The Centre will become employees of Hertsmere Leisure on 1 January 2008. Their employment rights will be protected by TUPE legislation.
What about the golf professionals and greenkeepers?
TRDC currently uses contractors to manage Rickmansworth Public Golf Course on its behalf. Future Golf provides golf professional services, while John O'Conner Ltd is responsible for course maintenance, greenkeeping etc. These contracts expire in December 2007.
Hertsmere Leisure is currently talking to both of these companies about arrangements for the future delivery of these services, and will announce their intentions in due course. Employees working at the Golf Course will also have their employment rights protected by TUPE legislation.
Is the Council selling off its property?
No. TRDC will retain responsibility for the Golf Course and all of its buildings, as well as the Sir James Altham Pool and The Centre. Hertsmere Leisure will be granted operating leases, but there are no plans to dispose of any of these assets.
TRDC will continue to be responsible for capital investment in all of its leisure venues, such as the current multi-million pound refurbishment of William Penn Leisure Centre, which is due for completion early in 2008.
What about other leisure services?
How can I comment on the service I receive?
If you have any queries, comments or complaints concerning the quality of any service, please ask to speak to the Duty Manager. Comments or complaints can also be made to the Leisure team at
leisure@threerivers.gov.uk , as Council officers liaise closely with Hertsmere Leisure over service quality issues.