Everybody Health and Leisure raises concerns over council plans

Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee will meet next week to discuss a report which proposes funding is removed from centres in Knutsford, Middlewich, Holmes Chapel and Poynton.

Currently these sites are all operated by the charity Everybody Health and Leisure, who have highlighted several issues they have with the plans, including the potential loss of up to 200 jobs.

An open letter from the EHL’s board of trustees reads: “These proposals are not supported by EHL as they could remove local access to recreation and leisure facilities to a significant number of Cheshire East residents.

“We have grave concerns about the inevitable outcomes and believe that these proposals will have a detrimental impact on the physical and mental health of many people.

“The potential impact on local employment if these proposals result in closures could be considerable – with more than 200 local people currently working across the four sites.”

READ MORE: Towns' leisure centres at risk of closure under new council proposals

The proposals come as the council faces mounting financial pressure, with an £18.7 million shortfall forecast for this year's budget.

EHL’s letter adds that since forming in 2014, the charity has achieved 'considerable savings'.

Recently, EHL has managed to reduce running costs by improving energy efficiency as well as implementing a swimming surcharge to support the council financially.                                                                                           

The letter also says that should the proposals go ahead, EHL work with any organisation to keep the facilities open if a sustainable solution can be found, adding that at the moment 'it is not clear to us how this would be possible'.

“We remain committed to supporting all our dedicated staff and the many loyal users of all facilities, along with providing the very best value for money services to the Council - both now and in the future,” the letter concludes.

Middlewich Leisure Centre (Image: Supplied)

Cheshire East councillor Carol Bulman, who represents Middlewich, says while the closure would be a 'blow' for the town, there is reason for residents in her ward to be optimistic.

She said: “It is a pity that the Middlewich Leisure Centre could close, especially as the proposed leisure centre on Sutton Lane has not, as yet, been progressed. I hope EHL will bring it forward as soon as possible.

“The number of people using the small leisure centre shared with the high school is low and in these financially difficult times the business case for continuing the subsidy could not be made. The utility and maintenance costs are too high given the small number of residents using the facility.

“There are other places around the town for exercise and dance classes as well as indoor and outdoor bowling that residents do support.

"However, for those residents who need a gym within walking distance the closure will be a blow. I will continue to press for the new facility to be built as soon as finances allow."

However, Cllr Anthony Harrison, who represents Chelford, is less convinced by the proposals.

He said: “The withdrawal of vital funding from Knutsford Leisure Centre would likely lead to its closer and be a great loss to residents, students and sports clubs from not just Knutsford for neighbouring parishes also.

“I encourage all residents to engage in this consultation and force the Labour and Independent parties to maintain funding in Knutsford.”

Ahead of the meeting on November 9, chair of the committee, councillor Mick Warren, said: “The health and wellbeing of our residents is extremely important to the council, and leisure centres and the services they offer are a key part of supporting our residents to lead healthier lifestyles.

“But, in the context of the wider financial challenges the council is facing, we must consider the long-term affordability of these services, and where funding should be focused so that it has the biggest impact for the greatest number of people.”

If the proposals are accepted, a public consultation is expected to launch soon after.