Recreational, cultural and sporting services. The Forest of Dean is situated in the south west corner of Gloucestershire with a population of approximately 82 000. There are a number of market towns throughout the district including Lydney, Coleford, Cinderford and Newent. Like most others across the country, the Council faces an increasingly difficult financial situation and the need to make the best possible return on its investment in the services it offers is paramount. It has an ambition to realise savings of approximately 120 000 GBP from its leisure provision whilst at the same time sustaining or enhancing the offer. The Council has a Capital Strategy which seeks to maximise the impact on the community at a time when our revenue spending is being cut back; help create an economic stimulus; and create returns above capital funds invested in a suppressed money market. The Council is therefore open to ‘invest to save' initiatives which may help achieve the saving required through increased income generation, as opposed to service reductions. The contract is for the management of leisure centres within the Forest of Dean district, of which there are currently five — all of which are dual use. — Forest Leisure Cinderford — Forest Leisure Coleford — Forest Leisure Lydney — Forest Leisure Newent — Forest Leisure Sedbury. The Council enjoys good working relationships with all of the educational providers involved in this joint use provision. All of the above facilities are currently managed in-house. Tenderers should note that: Forest Leisure Coleford operates under a tripartite joint use agreement (JUA) between this Council, Gloucestershire College (GlosCol) and Lakers school. Given that GlosCol propose to relocate the Forest Campus, a mutual termination of the JUA was agreed in December 2013. Notionally this will be effective from 31.3.2015, although the parties have agreed flexibility on this date. Any future leisure provision for Coleford remains the subject of an ongoing community led project. The scope of involvement, if any, of our selected delivery partner will form part of the dialogue process. It is proposed that the contract be for a minimum period of 10 years with an option to extend by up to a further 5 years at the end of the initial term. The Council considers that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations will be applicable to this procurement. It will also require that the successful Contractor will retain the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or a broadly comparable pension provision for all existing employees. A contract award date of 01.4.2015 is the aim. The Council intends to follow the Competitive Dialogue Process outlined in the EU Procurement Directives for this tender process. The Council's reason for choosing this particular procurement route is to allow prospective tenderers the opportunity to propose innovative service delivery options to reduce costs and increase service quality.