Anglesey’s Executive have agreed to a £300,000 reduction in leisure services revenue budget over the next three years.
Despite significant budgetary cuts, the future of the Island’s three swimming pools and Canolfan Beaumaris have been safeguarded for the time being, although the opening hours of each leisure centres will have to be reduced.
The Executive also reaffirmed its intention to transfer the running of Canolfan Beaumaris to the town council or social enterprise, and will be seeking expressions of interest as soon as possible.
A third of the savings proposed by the Leisure Task and Finish Group, which was set up some 12 months ago, will come as a result of the restructuring of upper management within the Leisure Service itself. The Sports Development and Parks and Outdoor Facilities budgets will also be reduced.
Council Leader, Councillor Clive McGregor, stressed, “The continued provision of leisure services has rightly been an emotive subject for many of the Island’s residents. As politicians, we must accept that mistakes were made when the issue was first raised more than 18 months ago, and that certain decisions were taken in haste.”
“We learnt from our mistakes and have done everything in our power to safeguard the provision of leisure services for the people of Anglesey, despite having to face the significant task of reducing the leisure revenue budget by more than 16%.”
“The situation we find ourselves in is not perfect, and the service will undoubtedly face further financial challenges in the future, but, for now, we pleased to be able to continue providing three swimming pools and activities at Canolfan Beaumaris.”
Leisure portfolio holder, Cllr Bob Parry OBE, presented the findings of the Task and Finish Group to the Executive.
Cllr Parry explained, “We recognise, of course, that these reductions in revenue won’t address the improvements needed to improve the Amlwch, Llangefni and Holyhead leisure centre buildings. As a result, the task and finish group also wants to see a joint leisure and property strategy completed within the next financial year place, which go further towards addressing the future of the Island’s indoor leisure facilities.”
He added, “By spreading budget reduction across the whole leisure service, however, we’ve managed to respond to public demand to keep all our pools open for now.”
