A glimmer of hope? Education trust 'promisingly' in talks about Much Wenlock Leisure Centre future as council launches 'consultation'

Shropshire Council has today launched a public consultation exercise on the future of Much Wenlock Leisure Centre.

One option would see Shropshire Council ceasing to operate the leisure centre and withdraw subsidy for community use, which would save the council around £280,040 per year.

Another option is for the council to do nothing, not make the savings and have to find cuts elsewhere, it says.

Now it has been announced that William Brookes School, which is one of nine schools that make up The 3-18 Education Trust, is looking into whether it could run the centre and keep it open for some community use.

The centre itself is a joint-use facility integral to William Brookes School. The council currently operates and manages the centre working alongside the Trust to provide community use when the facility is not being used for education purpose and has done so since 2010.

Councillor Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said: “Promisingly, William Brookes School and The 3-18 Education Trust have said that they are keen to explore continuing to provide community use of the leisure centre should we cease to operate it at the end of the 12-month notice period.

“The notice period would enable the school and Trust to explore suitable operating models and investigate the potential for acquiring funding to support community use of the centre and capital investment to improve the facility.

“It’s very early days but we are encouraged by the conversations we’ve had so far. We will continue these conversations to hopefully secure the best future for the centre.”

William Brookes School and The 3-18 Education Trust, said: “We understand the importance of community health and fitness facilities.

“We appreciate the challenges involved in finding the investment required to maintain these facilities, and the difficulty in finding suitable partners.

“We are committed to collaborating with all parties to achieve the best possible solution within financial limits.”

Dan Thomas, Shropshire Council’s local councillor for Much Wenlock, said: “I share concerns many in the community will have around this consultation, but I’m encouraged by the conversations I’ve had with the Trust about the future of the leisure centre. The consultation gives us a chance to explore all options and I hope that by working together, we can find a way to maintain community use of the leisure centre.”

Councillor Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said the council needs to make cuts.

“Whilst we understand the impact that these changes may have on community use, our need to reduce our spend means that we have some tough decisions to make now and in the future," he said. 

“Leisure provision is not a statutory service, but it is supported by us to promote the health and wellbeing of the community and to support local schools to fulfil the compulsory element of the primary school national curriculum for swimming and water safety.

“However, we can no longer afford to do this. Instead, we need to ensure that we continue to deliver those services which keep people safe.

“Much Wenlock Leisure Centre is expensive to run and maintain, and on top of this it needs investment to reduce the cost of operation.

“However, no decisions have yet been made and we very much welcome your thoughts as part of our consultation.”

To get involved in the consultation, people can visit the council’s website.