COUNCIL chiefs have taken the first step towards major investment in sports and leisure facilities across the region.
Members of the Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) executive have given the go-ahead for consultation on a new system to harmonise all council facilities - a move designed to improve the service and save money for the taxpayer.
Cllr Richard Short, portfolio member for culture and recreation, said: “We believe a single management structure would offer significant operational and financial benefits needed to complement state-of-the-art facilities planned for the borough.
“We are talking about the investment of considerable sums of money and we want the management system which will provide added value to that expenditure.”
Currently facilities in Chester and Ellesmere Port are managed by the Chester and District Sports and Recreation Trust (CADSART) and those in the former Vale Royal Area by the authority itself.
But city leaders now hope an open market procurement of a single management model will provide a “more efficient and cost-effective platform from which to launch a new service, boosted by multi-million pounds worth of new investment”.
Consultation on the proposal will begin immediately with all interested stakeholders, including members of staff, unions and user organisations.
The executive has also authorised the future transfer of 130 members of staff currently working for the authority to the successful bidder for the management contract.
That transfer will take place under TUPE arrangements, protecting their employment terms and conditions, and all were notified of the intended changes last week and will take part in the consultation.
CWaC leader Mike Jones said: “This is the first very important stage in a process which will culminate with a vital decision on capital expenditure benefiting each area in the borough.
“We want to provide the best accessible and affordable sports and leisure facilities available for our residents, particularly our young people - facilities that will enhance health and well being and provide increased opportunities for sport and physical development.”
CWaC has begun to determine its capital expenditure priorities and its recommendations will be subject of borough-wide consultation.
Meanwhile, CADSART’s agreement with the authority ends in March next year and the procurement procedure will begin when the results of the consultation process are known.