Public Consultation on the future of Leisure Services reopens
The public consultation to inform the leisure review has been re-opened for a period of at least three months, as agreed at Cabinet on 24 January 2023.
The second phase of the consultation will run from 7 February to 8 May 2023 and is once again open to residents and community groups across the borough.
Gateshead Council is particularly interested in hearing the views from the Birtley and Lamesley community and users of Birtley Swimming Centre. However, it is important that all leisure centre users take time to have their say on the future of the Council's leisure services if they haven't already, as this will allow the Council and Cabinet members to have a comprehensive overview of the impact potential closures will have on residents and service users.
To date, several community groups have come forward to the Council expressing an interest in community asset transfers, and groups will be considered on the strength of their business case put forward. If successful, they would take on full responsibility of the leisure centres, including operations and maintenance of the buildings and equipment. The three-month extension gives a longer period to explore the potential of any such arrangement.
An updated report will be submitted to Cabinet in June, following this further period of consultation with the final outcome of the review to include any proposals for closures of sites or Community Asset Transfer recommendations, if appropriate.
Residents can have their say by or request a paper copy at any of the Council's leisure centres. Copies of the consultation are also available in different languages and accessible formats.
Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: "We are committing nearly one million pounds to ensure that we have a rounded view of the impact potential closures will have on our residents. This will also provide additional time to ensure that the community groups which have expressed an interest in running the leisure centres have a fair opportunity to present their business case.
"Closing leisure centres is a devastating decision to consider and I appreciate the impact that this will have on residents who frequently use these facilities. However, we must prioritise our limited budgets in order to protect our most vulnerable residents. Over the last 12 years, we have had a 56% reduction in our budget, which means we must make these devastating decisions to protect the sustainability of the Council."
Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health "No Director of Public health would want to be recommending to Cabinet the closure of any local leisure services; however, this is a financially driven report as we must balance increasing needs across the community for our statutory Council services alongside a significant reduction in the revenue grant.
"The health and wellbeing of all our residents is a priority to me and the Council, but we have residents who are having to choose between heating and eating and we must endeavour to reach those who need our services.
"I fully accept concerns that the closure of the leisure centres will impact on the health and well-being of the residents that use them. I also understand that this could potentially lead to increased pressure on NHS services. In recent years, initiatives such as social prescribing has been established with the aim of supporting residents to live an active life through activities which are free to access, such as walking.
"I am in contact with my NHS colleagues to discuss the impact that potential closures will have on them and will continue this dialogue as we move through the next phase of the consultation process."
The public consultation to inform the leisure review has been re-opened for a period of at least three months, as agreed at Cabinet on 24 January 2023.
The second phase of the consultation will run from 7 February to 8 May 2023 and is once again open to residents and community groups across the borough.
Gateshead Council is particularly interested in hearing the views from the Birtley and Lamesley community and users of Birtley Swimming Centre. However, it is important that all leisure centre users take time to have their say on the future of the Council's leisure services if they haven't already, as this will allow the Council and Cabinet members to have a comprehensive overview of the impact potential closures will have on residents and service users.
To date, several community groups have come forward to the Council expressing an interest in community asset transfers, and groups will be considered on the strength of their business case put forward. If successful, they would take on full responsibility of the leisure centres, including operations and maintenance of the buildings and equipment. The three-month extension gives a longer period to explore the potential of any such arrangement.
An updated report will be submitted to Cabinet in June, following this further period of consultation with the final outcome of the review to include any proposals for closures of sites or Community Asset Transfer recommendations, if appropriate.
Residents can have their say by or request a paper copy at any of the Council's leisure centres. Copies of the consultation are also available in different languages and accessible formats.
Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: "We are committing nearly one million pounds to ensure that we have a rounded view of the impact potential closures will have on our residents. This will also provide additional time to ensure that the community groups which have expressed an interest in running the leisure centres have a fair opportunity to present their business case.
"Closing leisure centres is a devastating decision to consider and I appreciate the impact that this will have on residents who frequently use these facilities. However, we must prioritise our limited budgets in order to protect our most vulnerable residents. Over the last 12 years, we have had a 56% reduction in our budget, which means we must make these devastating decisions to protect the sustainability of the Council."
Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health "No Director of Public health would want to be recommending to Cabinet the closure of any local leisure services; however, this is a financially driven report as we must balance increasing needs across the community for our statutory Council services alongside a significant reduction in the revenue grant.
"The health and wellbeing of all our residents is a priority to me and the Council, but we have residents who are having to choose between heating and eating and we must endeavour to reach those who need our services.
"I fully accept concerns that the closure of the leisure centres will impact on the health and well-being of the residents that use them. I also understand that this could potentially lead to increased pressure on NHS services. In recent years, initiatives such as social prescribing has been established with the aim of supporting residents to live an active life through activities which are free to access, such as walking.
"I am in contact with my NHS colleagues to discuss the impact that potential closures will have on them and will continue this dialogue as we move through the next phase of the consultation process."
