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Hounslow selects new leisure and cultural services suppliers
The London borough of Hounslow has announced that its preferred bidders to operate the council’s leisure and culture services are John Laing Integrated Services and Fusion Lifestyle, replacing Community Interactive Partnership (CiP).
CiP, an independent not-for-profit body, has operated the contract since 1998. Fusion Lifestyle is also a not-for-profit, while John Laing Integrated Services is a division of John Laing Plc, which owns and operates public sector infrastructure in the UK and internationally.
John Laing Integrated Services will run the Parks Management contract, which includes grass cutting, horticulture, arboriculture, sports in parks, pitches and facilities maintenance, parks management and improvement schemes, and community development and engagement.
The company will also operate Gunnersbury Park and Museum, Boston Manor and Hogarth’s House under the Parks Management contract.
The Libraries and Arts contract will also be awarded to John Laing Integrated Services. This will involve the operation of 11 libraries, arts coordination and advocacy, buildings improvement and maintenance and facilities management, as well as the running of Redlees Studio and Paul Robeson theatre.
Fusion Lifestyle will manage the Leisure Services and Community Halls contract, which includes five leisure centres and eight community facilities, sport development, school holiday play schemes, facilities management, and buildings improvement and maintenance.
The Parks Management contract will expire in 2018, while the Libraries and Arts and Leisure Services and Community Halls contracts expire in 2023.
A spokesperson for Hounslow Counil said John Laing Integrated Services and Fusion Lifestyle are expected to begin their terms at the end of the month, when CiP’s contract expires.
“John Laing and Fusion both have proven track records of delivering excellence and innovation in service delivery,” said councillor Adrian Lee lead member for leisure and culture.
“This council is clear in what it is trying to achieve,” said councillor Peter Thompson, leader of the borough of Hounslow. “People want us to use the local taxes we collect wisely, and to invest their money to improve local services, local facilities and the quality of life for everyone in this borough. People want good quality parks, leisure centres and libraries, and we will see that they get it.”