RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on proposals to cut costs at leisure centres across Cheshire East.

Earlier this month Cheshire East Council revealed plans to consult on the possible closure of leisure centres at Knutsford, Middlewich, Poynton and Holmes Chapel next year.

Following public backlash, the proposal was amended, but the future of the facilities remains uncertain as the council must make minimum essential savings in leisure services of £479,000.

Now a public consultation on a range of proposals to how this can be achieved has launched and will run until Sunday, January 7.

 The cost-cutting proposals include reducing the opening hours of all leisure centres; introducing a different pricing policy for non-Cheshire East residents; and amending the 'Options' membership discount scheme in line with other local authorities.

But if the essential savings target cannot be met, the council – as a last resort – is proposing to focus its continued leisure service investment at centres where usage is highest; the net cost of operating the facility is lowest when compared to its use; and in locations where residents' health is poorest.

According to previous data used by the council, this could mean Knutsford, Middlewich, Holmes Chapel and Poynton are still at risk of potential closure. 

Cllr Mick Warren, chair of the council’s environment and communities committee, said: “The borough’s leisure centres are operated on behalf of the council by Everybody Health and Leisure, a charitable trust, but the council is responsible for paying building maintenance and utilities costs, and subsidises leisure services through the payment of an annual management fee.

“Leisure centres, because of the types of services they offer, are hugely expensive facilities to run and maintain and costs are rising drastically. We cannot afford to meet these costs.

“Significant budget savings have already been made and additional income secured, including through one-off grants from Sport England, but this is still not enough.

“The health and wellbeing of our residents is extremely important to the council, and so we now need to ensure that the limited resources we do have for leisure services are being targeted to the best effect.”

The first stage of the council's leisure services review – based around the need to generate £1.29m of essential savings in 2023/24 – has already been delivered.

Further savings must be made as the council recently published an updated financial forecast which shows a potential shortfall of £18.7m against anticipated expenditure in 2023/24.

Cllr Warren added: “These significant financial challenges are not just isolated to Cheshire East – local authorities across the country are considering how they continue to provide public leisure facilities in the short-term and as costs continue to rise well beyond the budgets available.

“No decisions have yet been made about leisure services, or specific leisure centres, and I encourage people to share their views through this consultation.

“The comments we receive – plus more detailed data relating to the use of leisure centres by community groups, sports clubs and, where appropriate, schools – will help us to shape the final proposals that will be brought back to committee at a later date.”

For more information and to take part in the consultation, visit: cheshireeast.gov.uk/consultations

Paper versions of the survey are available at libraries. To receive the survey or consultation material in an alternative format, or submit feedback in a different way, email: RandC@cheshireeast.gov.uk, or call 0300 123 55 00.