Sandwell Leisure Trust's role thrown into doubt

However, council leader Darren Cooper is keen to emphasise that negotiations are still ongoing, even though a new business case put forward by the trust was not accepted.

A petition launched by Sandwell Joint Trade Unions has seen over 1,000 signatures added to it already by leisure centre staff and users who want to see all of the boroughs leisure services continue to be run by Sandwell Leisure Trust.

The trust has been maintaining nine leisure centres and a golf course for an annual fee from Sandwell Council for the last 12 years, and during that time has been recognised by a number of industry award bodies.

Councillor Cooper said: "Of course we are doing our best to ensure leisure services in the borough will continue to be maintained by Sandwell Leisure Trust, but under the financial restraints the council are under, we as of yet haven't been able to agree terms.

"Talks are ongoing with Sandwell Leisure Trust and I would like to stress the interests of the borough and their leisure centres is our primary focus. The issue will be discussed at the next cabinet meeting on February 24.

"If we fail to agree terms with them, then unfortunately we might have to look elsewhere to different independent companies who can continue to maintain our leisure centres.

"I understand people's concern, but the future of leisure centres in the borough is a positive one, you only have to look at the work we've done over the last few years to see that.

"But I would like to stress, a decision like this is some way off, and we will continue to discuss with Sandwell Leisure Trust the terms and plans going forward."

The petition urges Sandwell councillors to 'recognise the great service provided by staff at Sandwell Leisure Trust and they do all they can to ensure the service continues to be operated by this award winning organisation.'

Andrew Fry, chairman of Sandwell Leisure Trust, said: "We fully understand the council's financial position. We submitted a comprehensive plan to the council which saves £2.5million a year by 2021/22, reducing our funding by over 75 per cent. We welcome that the Leader of the council has said the council is doing all it can to ensure leisure services in the borough continue to be maintained by Sandwell Leisure Trust. We also welcome his statement that the council will continue to discuss with Sandwell Leisure Trust terms and plans going forward, and I shall be writing to request an urgent meeting with him."

The issue will be discussed at the Sandwell cabinet meeting on February 24.