Plans for Neath Port Talbot Council’s Leisure Services Transfer Delayed by Five Years

Plans for Neath Port Talbot Council to bring its leisure services in house could be delayed by another five years.
The control of leisure services across Neath Port Talbot were originally expected to be transferred from Celtic Leisure to Neath Port Talbot Council by April of 2023.
The plans were meant to give full control of all leisure centres and other facilities in the area to the local council, and were designed to allow for a “more coherent approach” to opening hours and service delivery in centres across the borough.
Facilities that would be transferred in the planned move include sites such as Aberavon Leisure and Fitness Centre, the Aquasplash park, and Neath Sports Centre. It would also see the transfer of staff into the employment of the local authority as well.
However, due to financial restrictions currently faced by the authority these plans were delayed until 2025 at the earliest, with proposals discussed by members this week that could see it delayed for a further five years.
Members met at a scrutiny committee on September 12, where they discussed three potential options moving forward with regards to how and when the transfer of leisure services could be made.
The first of these options would be in bringing leisure services back under the council’s management from April 1, 2025 – though officers noted that this move may not be affordable and could result in a council tax increase of around 2%.
Other options would be to agree to a five-year extension of the contract with Celtic Leisure from April 1, 2025, maintaining the current terms and conditions, or agreeing to the same extension with revised terms and conditions requested by trade union representatives.
A council spokesperson said: “The report recommends option two, extending the current contract with Celtic Leisure for five years, as it offers the best value for money in providing indoor leisure services and reduces the risk of putting further severe pressure on the council’s budget and, therefore, council tax payers.
“It also addresses concerns raised by trade unions whose input has been invaluable in developing the proposals, regarding annual pay awards and inflationary pressures.
“This option also includes a £1m investment fund to drive growth, enhance business sustainability, and improve public services. Most importantly, it protects jobs and services at both Celtic Leisure and the council, as well as helping to ensure the company’s financial stability.”
Following the scrutiny session, the proposals for Neath Port Talbot’s leisure services will now be presented to the council’s cabinet for a decision on October 2, 2024. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​