Council set to consult on proposals for leisure services 

1 November 2023

Cheshire East Council is set to consult on proposals for leisure services across the borough – as it looks to focus future investment on where demand for services is the greatest, and the best outcomes for residents’ health can be achieved.

The borough’s leisure centres are operated on behalf of the council by Everybody Health and Leisure, a charitable trust, and provide a variety of services across 15 sites. 

At November’s environment and communities committee, a report will be presented which provides an update on the council’s strategic review of leisure services, which is included in the authority’s adopted medium-term financial strategy (MTFS).

Last week, the council published an updated financial forecast which shows a potential shortfall of £18.7m against anticipated expenditure in 2023/24.

The first stage of the leisure services review – based around the need to generate £1.29m of essential savings in 2023/24 – is now secured.

The second stage of the review focuses on how the current levels of funding the council gives to support leisure services can be used to achieve the greatest outcomes for residents’ health, particularly in areas of the borough where there are health inequalities.

Subject to committee’s approval, a public consultation on options for how this could be achieved is set to launch later this month. 

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, 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. 

“Since the adoption of the council’s MTFS earlier this year, significant budget savings have been made in leisure services.

“However, the reality is that these savings are still not enough – costs are rising drastically. Last year, funding to maintain leisure centres and cover the related utility fees cost the council more than £1m extra, compared to the previous year.

“Working with Everybody Health and Leisure, we simply must look at how we further prioritise how we continue to financially support the delivery of leisure services for the residents of Cheshire East.”

Subject to committee’s approval, the council will be consulting on proposals that would enable additional and more targeted health and wellbeing services to be commissioned across the borough, and for improvement works to be carried out at some leisure centres. 

There are also proposals to remove the funding the council currently provides to support the provision of leisure centres in Holmes Chapel, Middlewich, Knutsford, and Poynton, with a view to these sites being either operated on a commercial basis or being closed.

Cllr Warren added: “An essential factor in developing this review, and the options we are now proposing to consult on, has been understanding and considering the varied levels of health and wellbeing need across Cheshire East, and how proposals can lead to positive change in areas where this need is highest. 

“We have looked at factors including visitor numbers, the number of registered members for each leisure centre – and how many of these members are choosing to access other leisure centres across the borough.

“We have also considered how we ensure that the service continues to be delivered effectively both geographically and to reflect the level of demand, and how we can continue to provide well-equipped modern sites with the funds available to us.”

Read the full agenda details for 9 November’s environment and communities committee.