Request
A.
What is the annual funding provided by Education Sport and Culture to Serco (to operate the Aquasplash facility) for the past 5 years?
B.
How is the funding amount calculated?
C.
(a) What level of service was required to be provided by Serco; and
(b) how is it measured during this period?
D.
Has Serco been awarded additional amounts, above and beyond the basic provision during this period?
E.
Has Serco been reprimanded or payment withheld where the service provided is seen as below the expectations set out by ESC during this period?
Response
A.
The annual funding provided to Serco to operate the Aquasplash is set out in the table below:
| Amount | £362,000 | £369,000 | £376,000 | £383,000 | £391,000 |
B.
The annual subsidy payments made from the authority to the contractor are fixed in advance and are laid out in a Heads of Terms agreement. The above amounts were included in the Heads of Terms agreement from 2010 to 2014. This subsidy is in place so that the States of Jersey do not incur any financial losses. The funding for 2010 to 2014 was calculated using previous operating financial performances. This takes into account all the operating costs, i.e. payroll, repairs and maintenance, utilities, cost of living, service charges, insurances.
C.
(a) Expected service levels are set out in Appendix 5 of the contract between the States of Jersey and Serco [see document below]. We have attached Appendix 5 with this response. There were also Key Performance Indicators in place, including Eco Active registration, utility management, members visits per month, member retention. The contractor was obliged to enrol in the Quest programme (a UK quality scheme for sport and leisure).
(b) The HOTs (Heads of Terms) allows the States of Jersey to audit the site as part of the agreement. States of Jersey also do unannounced audits to check standards and contractual compliance. In addition to this, there are independent Health & Safety audits and quarterly meetings between ESC and Serco. An annual condition survey is carried out, plus independent mystery visits, Net Promoter Score, customer feedback and Viewpoint survey.
D.
Serco has not been awarded any additional amounts above and beyond the basic provision.
E.
Areas of improvement have been highlighted following unannounced audits, where the standards have raised concern. No payment has been withheld.
