Accept cut or lose Shropshire leisure centres

New operators could be found to run five leisure centres in Shropshire unless current bosses agree a funding cut, it was revealed today.

Shropshire Council and Teme Leisure are locked in negotiations over future funding paid towards running centres in Ludlow, Cleobury Mortimer, Church Stretton, Wem and Bishop's Castle. But they may go out to tender if a resolution is not reached.

Shirehall chiefs have said if they cannot reach an agreement with Teme Leisure over the 30 per cent cut they may open the floor to competition.

The details emerged last night at a meeting of Bishop's Castle, Chirbury and Worthen and Clun Local Joint Committee.

No-one from Teme Leisure was available to comment today. Alan Penton, leisure development manager at Shropshire Council, spoke to councillors and residents at SpArC in Bishop's Castle – one of the centres run by Teme Leisure.

Mr Penton said: "Negotiations between Shropshire Council and Teme Leisure are ongoing. We are trying to sort out a proper contract with Teme Leisure for the sites in Shropshire. We are trying to find a way for them to operate the sites in the ever reducing budget.

"The council is reducing its funding for all leisure sites in Shropshire. Teme Leisure will have to take a 30 per cent cut in funding.

"If we cannot reach an agreement we could look for other operators to come in and run the centres. But we don't want to do this and we hope to reach an agreement with Teme Leisure because they are doing a good job. We think we have a good operator and we would like to keep it that way."

He added: "We don't want to put it out to procurement because that could take a year. We want this resolved as soon as possible."

If negotiations were successful, Mr Penton said, the council would look to make sure the cuts are distributed equally across all Teme Leisure centres.

He confirmed there was no intention of closing SpArC despite rumours circulating around the town.