Council proposes funding withdrawal, potentially closing leisure centre to public

A local authority is considering discontinuing financial support for a leisure facility, a move that might lead to its unavailability for public use. During a meeting scheduled for 4 December, Shropshire Council’s cabinet has received a recommendation to approve a public consultation regarding the future operations of Much Wenlock Leisure Centre. While the William Brookes Academy Trust owns this facility and the school utilizes it, the council has been responsible for its operation and management since 2010. The council’s financial contribution, totaling £280,040 for the current financial year, facilitates its accessibility to the general public during non-school hours and on weekends. Meeting documentation indicates that discontinuing council services would not automatically preclude community access to the facility. The cabinet plans to evaluate issuing notice to the 3-18 Education Trust, which William Brookes School became part of in 2021, and discontinuing its subsidy “subject to options to be explored”. The report noted, “William Brookes School/Academy Trust is keen to explore continuing to provide community use of the leisure centre should Shropshire Council cease operating at the end of a 12-month notice period.” It further stated, “It is critical that Shropshire Council secures its future financial sustainability and therefore difficult proposals to generate savings through withdrawing from service provision such as this must be considered.” The leader of the council has previously characterized its unstable financial state as “unbelievably close” to bankruptcy, with a requirement to achieve £62.5m in savings during the current financial year. The leisure complex includes a 25m swimming pool, a sports hall, a gym, and a fitness suite. Additionally, it offers non-floodlit artificial and grass pitches, along with a 200m athletics track. Last year, the centre recorded nearly 73,000 visits, even though its pool was inaccessible for three months, and 300 children participated in swimming lessons. The report categorized council-operated leisure services as “discretionary” and indicated that the centre required additional investment “to improve its market appeal and support greater public use”. As per the report, lockers, flooring, and electrical sockets are all damaged, necessitating significant upgrades to both fitness equipment and outdoor areas. Expenses for repairs, maintenance, and utility provisions are presently shared between the council and the school. The report also mentioned that informal discussions had taken place with prospective operators, but the opportunity was not deemed a “sufficiently financially viable option to appeal to them”. Should community access be discontinued, four staff members employed by the council would face compulsory redundancy. The cabinet has been requested to endorse an eight-week consultation period, with its findings slated for review at a meeting scheduled for the following year.