Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Director, Youth, Leisure and Communities, which sought approval of Utilities Benchmarking under the contract with Oldham Community Leisure (OCL).

Utilities benchmarking can be carried out where there are extraordinary fluctuations in the utility market. OCL had served notice on the Council invoking the Utility benchmarking clause in the Contract and the details were included at Item 22 of the agenda due to commercial sensitivities.

There had been ongoing discussions with OCL regarding increased energy costs for both gas and electricity in 2022/23.  OCL had provided figures as detailed at Item 21 of the agenda.

Internal discussions had taken place with Finance and Legal colleagues to understand the Utility benchmarking provisions in the Contract and it was concluded that OCL had the contractual right to undertake a benchmarking exercise due to the fluctuations in the utility costs.

Options/alternatives considered

Options were considered at Item 22 of the agenda due to commercial sensitivities.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained Item 22 of the agenda before making a decision.