The Sport and Leisure Service want to offer an additional children’s activity for Clacton Leisure Centre, specifically available for children’s parties but could be utilised for school events, holiday clubs, birthday parties and community activities. This will attract additional members of the community to book events with the leisure centre, improve physical activities amongst children, and encourage inclusive play. Airquee were the only supplier to bid for this inflatable after 3 rounds of the initial RFQ process, where the 1st two rounds there was no bids submitted.

A)Tendring District Council is to enter into one-off purchase order with Airquee Inflatables, to purchase a 3-part inflatable Jungle Lair for Clacton Leisure Centre, to be used to offer further children’s activities aimed at older children of 8+ for £11,870.
B)The use of revenue budgets for this procurement is aligned with the financial planning and governance framework of Tendring District Council. Specifically, the expenditure will be drawn from the approved Revenue Budget as set out in the General Fund Budget and Council Tax report, which was formally adopted by Full Council during the budget-setting process

The alternative option would be to look at different style or size inflatables or to not continue with the purchase of an inflatable at all. This was rejected based on the initial market researched that went into scoping the initial specification. Clacton Leisure Centre already has 2 smaller inflatables aimed at younger ages, and the aim for this specification is those that are 8+. If this was not purchased at all, it would limit the activities that can be offered to children in those age groups and miss the opportunity to enhance physical activity via play as well as reducing the appeal of activities aimed at older children.