Cabinet to consider leisure facilities operation contract
Shropshire Council is considering changes to the way it provides some of its leisure services to enable it to reduce spend.
These changes, which will be considered by the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 5 March 2025, principally concern three leisure centres – Church Stretton Leisure Centre, Cleobury Mortimer Sports and Fitness Centre, and Ludlow Leisure Centre.
Church Stretton Leisure Centre includes a swimming pool as well as other leisure facilities. The council currently operates all of it and owns the swimming pool, with the other leisure facilities or dry side being owned by Church Stretton School.
Over the last few months, the council has been in talks with the school, local councillors, Church Stretton Town Council and other leisure operators to explore options for the centre’s future. Promisingly, Church Stretton Town Council has agreed £70,000 to help fund the running of the centre and operators Serco have agreed to add it to their portfolio of Shropshire leisure centres.
It will mean that the centre’s future is secure until 2027, at which point the council will seek to bring as many of its leisure centres as possible in Shropshire together under one contract to further realise efficiencies and potential savings.
Cleobury Mortimer Sports and Fitness Centre and Ludlow Leisure Centre are run by operator Teme Leisure. Teme has previously benefited from a 5-year council subsidy, set to end by agreement on 31 March 2025.
The council is now in discussion with Teme Leisure on their recent proposals for the facilities they manage. However, it is proposing to delegate to the council’s chief executive and Cabinet member to explore a range of options for best value, which will require time to complete.
Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said:
“It’s excellent news that, as a result of our ongoing conversations, we’ve managed to secure the future of such an important and valued centre in Church Stretton and I’d like to thank the town council and Serco for making this possible.
“Our proposed changes across leisure, although sometimes difficult, reflect the ongoing challenges we face with regards to our budget.
“Leisure provision is not a statutory service. Instead, we need to ensure that we continue to deliver those which are, such as social care and children’s services, which keep people safe.
“That being said, we are keen to explore the proposals set out by Teme Leisure, and we hope to be able to confirm our proposed next steps once our due diligence is complete.”
The council owns many leisure centres across the county. However, many of these are run by external operators. The long-term goal is for as many of its centres as possible to be eventually included in a single contract giving a consistent and cost-efficient service across Shropshire.
