Outdoor activity service could be sold to cut costs

The service, which provides a wide range of outdoor activities out of three centres in Eastbourne, Hailsham and Cuckmere Haven

A popular outdoor activity provider in East Sussex could be sold as part of cost-cutting measures by the council.

East Sussex County Council's lead member for education, councillor Bob Standley, is due to consider a report on the future of Buzz Active, a non-profit organisation run by the council at a cost of £100,000 a year, next week.

The service, which provides a wide range of outdoor activities out of three centres in Eastbourne, Hailsham and Cuckmere Haven, attracts around 20,000 visits each year.

But, in a report to Mr Standley, officers said the council needed to consider its future in the face of wider “financial pressures”.

In the report, a council spokesman said: “Given the financial pressures the council is facing, it is necessary for departments to review all of their expenditure, especially spending on non-statutory services.

“The Buzz Active service, whilst non-statutory, makes a positive contribution to the residents of East Sussex and the council has therefore explored ways to ensure the continuation of this valuable service in the future."

The report says the sale or transfer of the service is considered to be the “most effective” way to secure an alternative provider, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'More economically viable'

According to the report, the council will carefully review the viability of any interested buyers, as well as assess offers to maintain the current level of provision.

The council says it will also assess the offers in terms of “the aims and ethos of Buzz Active”, with those which value “competitive pricing”, the continuation of the council’s Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) inclusive offers and support for vulnerable children scoring more highly.

Officers said external providers could make the service “more economically viable”.