Photo courtesy of Express & Star
A week ago, Walsall’s Tory Cabinet sent a very public challenge out to the nine Willenhall Councillors. That message was as we see it, come up with answers on Willenhall Leisure Centre in 3 months or we’ll close in 6 months.
Following a meeting of Willenhall Councillors last night we would like to return that challenge:
If we can come up with a proposal to reduce the unit costs of the Willenhall Leisure Centre in-line with other leisure centres in the borough, and further, if we can come up with an idea which would secure the medium to long term future of the centre for the Willenhall Community; would the cabinet rescind the decision to close Willenhall Leisure Centre?
We ask that question because we note that the budget agreed by the cabinet last week has no provision in it for Willenhall Leisure Centre to stay open. In giving us three months to come up with a solution to the problems, the cabinet agreed to use its reserves to achieve the 6 months stay of execution.
If we come up with a viable set of solutions covering the short, medium and long term how will the Leisure Centre be funded?
One solution to this would be to adopt the suggestion put forward by the Liberal Democrats at the Scrutiny process; namely to fund Willenhall Leisure Centre by re-scheduling £206,000 of growth in the budget over two years instead of one?
We make these comments because we feel that we can rise to the cabinet’s challenge. We feel that it is possible to reduce unit costs so that they are in-line with other leisure centres in the borough. We are also exploring the idea of a Community Enterprise through a Community Involvement Company (CIC).
These ideas will be put before Willenhall Regeneration Project Reference Group (PRG) when it meets on Monday. A special urgent meeting of the Willenhall PRG is also being sought in order to involve the community of Willenhall in the future of its leisure centre.
A great deal of progress has been made in a very short space of time. We need to secure a commitment from Walsall’s Tory Cabinet that if we meet its challenge they are prepared to meet ours.
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Hello there
As one who has run a community enterprise company for the past three years (and left WMBC to do so) I am somewhat intrigued by the idea. I am moving out of the area so cannot be involved. However, there are some models where this appears to have worked. Have a look at the Rhyl Sun Centre (Clwyd Leisure Ltd) who have done all sorts of interesting things with two pools and a couple of gyms. Companies House will tell you if they have made any money. They are still going eight years after being floated off. My main contact there has now retired. Sorry.
More locally, have a chat with ASAN in Wolverhampton. They operate a leisure facility and may have some expertise. Contact details can be provided.
Also, the Development Trusts Association may be able to help. WMBC employ the former regional person for the DTA. Have they been pointed in your direction? I am sure that Mr Johnson will be fully aware of the skills of all of his staff in his directorate, but just in case why not ask for that person.
As mentioned I am moving away so cannot be part of this process. I wish it well and if you think that I can do anything over the next six weeks please get in touch.