A LEISURE firm has been awarded a new contract to take over the operation of Taunton Deane Borough Council's sports and leisure facilities which will deliver savings of nearly £7m over ten years and protect services for residents.

Following an extensive procurement process, members of Taunton Deane Borough Council have agreed to award a new contract to Sports and Leisure Management Ltd (SLM), which operates as Everyone Active.

The new contract for the council’s four sports and leisure centres, and the golf course and high ropes at Vivary Park will begin on August 1.

Under the new contract the operator will pay TDBC a management fee to operate the facilities and will also take on additional repair and maintenance obligations.

The council says the new contract meets the agreed priorities of the council and service users, represents a significantly improved financial position for the council without impacting the quality of service, and allows for more robust contract management arrangements.

Cllr John Williams, leader of TDBC, said: “The outcome has met every aim – to protect services for the customer, to do so at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayer, to ensure that quality and reasonable pricing remain a high priority and to secure improvement wherever economically possible to do so.

"It also fits with our aim to deliver financially viable local government services fit for the future across the new Somerset West and Taunton Council area.”

And Cllr Vivienne Stock-Williams, executive councillor for Sports, Parks and Leisure, said she is 'delighted' SLM has been awarded the contract. She said:“The council is committed to providing first class sport and leisure facilities for everyone to enjoy.

"We want to ensure high levels of customer service in clean, well maintained facilities.

"I am delighted that SLM has been contracted to deliver these highly valued services and look forward to a long association with them.”

SLM is the longest established leisure operator in the UK and operates more than 170 leisure facilities on behalf of more than 50 local authorities across the UK.

In the South West SLM operate large contracts in Bristol and Plymouth.

Jon Senior, Everyone Active’s regional director, said: “Everyone Active has extensive experience of managing facilities that offer the highest standard of services to communities.

"We’re delighted to be chosen by Taunton Deane Borough Council to provide the same standard in the local area.

“We look forward to building a long-standing partnership with the Council and sharing our passion for encouraging more people to live healthier and active lifestyles.”