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South Staffordshire leisure services aim for zero cost target

Leisure services in South Staffordshire could be in for a shake-up under a 15-year plan aiming to have services running at zero cost to the tax payer.

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The swimming pool at Tipton Leisure Centre

But a council leader insists there are 'absolutely no plans' to close facilities as part of the review.

South Staffordshire Council wants to have its leisure services running on a 'cost neutral basis' by 2019/2020.

As part of a 15-year plan, the council has been calling for local organisations to submit ideas outlining how the services can be delivered in the future while cutting costs.

Submissions closed on Monday, and the council expects to award contracts later this month.

A project briefing on the council website says the it is seeking proposals from 'suitably qualified organisations to help inform the future approach of the council in creating a sustainable future for leisure services, and in particular how it can achieve continuous improvement in delivery over the next 15 years'.

Council chiefs say they are looking at whether the current system needs changing - though they have not revealed details of the impact this would have on residents in the district.

The leisure services under review, which include Codsall Leisure Centre, Wombourne Leisure Centre, and Baggeridge Country Park, cost the council £575,000 to run over the past financial year.

Wombourne Leisure Centre, for example, saw 196,000 visitors walk through its doors over the past year, with an income of £653,000. However, its net cost for the year was £117,000.

The centre is leased to Invictus Academy by Staffordshire County Council as part of a joint agreement.

In total, the cost of country parks, leisure centres, and leisure administration was £743,003 for the year.

South Staffordshire Council leader Brian Edwards said: "The aim of this plan is to ensure we have a sustainable leisure service over the next 15 years.

"We know that local people value the leisure services offered by South Staffordshire Council, so it is our intention to ensure these services can be provided in a cost-effective and sustainable way. This means engaging with a range of qualified organisations to help inform our future approach to leisure services, and ultimately improve the quality and range of facilities available to the local community."

The leisure facilities the council sought proposals on are: Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre, Codsall Leisure Centre, Penkridge Leisure Centre, Wombourne Leisure Centre, Baggeridge Country Park, South Staffordshire Railway Walk, and Wombrook Walk.

Councillor Edwards said: "It's too early to say what sorts of proposals would be considered, but there is absolutely no plan to close facilities.

"The council already charges users, so we will continue to ensure these remain as competitive as possible."

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