The future of leisure services in Bridgend is up for discussion, as Bridgend council members are faced with a decision on the direction to take. Currently, Halo Leisure has been overseeing the management of the county borough’s eight leisure centres and swimming pools on behalf of Bridgend County Borough Council since 2012. With the existing contract set to expire in March 2027, the council is now contemplating the next steps for the service.
A recent report presented at a council meeting highlighted the successful partnership between the council and Halo Leisure, citing achievements such as high ratings for sport and leisure services. This collaboration has also managed to deliver services with £1.8m less investment from the council. Considering these accomplishments, recommendations have been proposed to extend the current contract by five years, possibly until at least 2032. The estimated cost of extending the service is expected to be £4.4m cheaper over the same period compared to bringing the services back under the council’s control.
The report emphasised the need for the council to determine the future delivery model for Healthy Living Services, the facilities involved, targeted outcomes, and the affordability of services, especially in the context of challenging budget constraints. The council will need to assess the viability of a short-term extension to facilitate longer-term strategic planning. This extension should allow for flexibility to accommodate any future changes in requirements while also offering a more cost-effective solution than other alternatives.
During a scrutiny meeting, council members questioned whether Halo had earned the extension based on their performance. Deputy leader Jane Gebbie expressed her support for Halo, noting that the officers’ report demonstrated the effective maintenance of leisure facilities across the borough. The committee members indicated their backing for a short-term contract extension, with further deliberations on the future of the service planned for an upcoming cabinet meeting in October.
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