More than half of the leisure centres in Caerphilly County Borough risk closure as part of a council shake-up of services.
Pontllanfraith, Cefn Fforest, Bedwas, Heolddu, St Cenydd in Trecenydd, the Sue Noake centre in Ystrad Mynach and New Tredegar leisure centres could all be facing the axe after Caerphilly County Borough Council said it could no longer sustain services in their current form with its finances.
The centres most at risk are Pontllanfraith, Cefn Fforest and New Tredegar, which are not attached to schools.
A report has revealed plans to “rationalise” existing centres and focus on four high quality strategic sites in Caerphilly town, Newbridge, Risca and another in the Bargoed or Aberbargoed area.
Councillors have spoken out against the plans.
Independent councillor Graham Simmonds fears for the future of the Cefn Fforest ward if the local leisure facility was to close.
“There is virtually nothing in Cefn Fforest,” said Cllr Simmonds.
“We’ve got a community centre and this leisure centre. There’s no other provision for young people within the ward at all.
“If the centre is closed, Cefn Fforest will plunge into the bottom 100 most deprived wards in Wales.
“If the council wants to do that then that’s a decision the Labour cabinet will have to take.”
Cllr Simmonds believes the proposals are no different to ones put forward in 2015.
He added: “They put it away, dusted it off and there’s no element of a change in strategy.”
The impact of any potential closure could be felt the most in New Tredegar, which is in the bottom 10 per cent most deprived wards in Wales.
Proposals to close of Pontllanfraith, which drew significant backlash from residents and local councillors, are back on the table three months after they were deferred by cabinet.
Labour councillor Gez Kirby said he was “very disappointed” that the centre was once again threated with closure.
“I support our Labour-led council’s commitment to promoting residents’ health and wellbeing and believe that closure of our leisure centre would undermine that commitment,” he said.
“I hope that there’ll be a massive local response to our council’s consultation.”
The four sites which would retain leisure centres were chosen for their high visitor figures and low subsidies, with Caerphilly, Risca and Newbridge attracting more than 220,000 visitors each in 2017/18 while costing the council no more than £1.20 per user.
In comparison, the highest visitor figures at the remaining centres were Heolddu (97,423) and Pontllanfraith (74,347), while New Tredegar and Bedwas cost the authority £4.78 and £4.55 per user respectively.
The proposals form part of a ten-year draft sport and recreation strategy to increase opportunities for residents to lead active lifestyles.
Residents will be able to have their say on the draft strategy during a ten-week consultation, which will start on July 16 subject to cabinet approval this week.
Councillor Nigel George, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “Our aim is to get people of all ages more active, more often.
“We currently provide a broad and varied range of opportunities for residents to engage in physical activity including country parks, cycle routes, sports pitches, outdoor sports equipment, school sports facilities, leisure centres and community centres.
“It is important that as many people as possible get involved and have their say to help shape the way we deliver sport and active recreation across Caerphilly county borough for the next decade.”
Other proposals contained within the strategy include the redevelopment of Caerphilly leisure centre, with a £15 million rebuild being considered alongside refurbishment options.
The draft strategy will be discussed by the council’s regeneration and environment scrutiny committee on June 26.
Not good at all. It seems these areas and their residents are being completely abandoned by the Council. High rates of depression and increasingly unhealthy lifestyles make these facilities even more important in deprived areas.
I’m sure that cuts and efficiency savings to other areas of council spending are preferable to closing leisure centres. As you point out the residents affected are those most at risk from ill health.
Why are the council cutting important facilities like leisure centres when there are a number of services / departments that they have no legal duty to provide ? Surely it makes sense to cut these services/ departments first !
I agree we have so many service that are a waste of money yet these continue to operate. The council has got their priorities all wrong
All you have said can be helped or made better by exercising, and the council are looking to cut them. Time to look at other departments within the council to cut.
It was reported yesterday that Caerphilly council are willing to spend £13,000 on flights to europe. Yet will not pay for the up keep of leisure centres. In these areas we have high obesity levels,high rates of depression all can be helped by an excerise programme. I consider myself fit for my age like a peter pan. This has been helped by training a little each day instead of wasting money in perks for councillors, lets give perks to the community.
Eat your words Cllr Poole, now you want to close them.
Cllr David Poole, cabinet member for community and leisure said: “Our sports and recreation facilities play an important part in getting people active in the borough, and it is important that these facilities are maintained to the highest standard to ensure an unrivalled customer experience.
“The current suggestions aim to ensure significant improvements across the borough, benefiting current users of these facilities, and encouraging in-active people to get involved in physical activity in order to improve their health and well-being.”
In addition to the proposals, overall improvements to the buildings at Newbridge and Risca Leisure Centres are also planned.
Like many Councillors/managers/supervisors they are two faced, telling people what they want to hear, meanwhile telling the truth to the powers that be. Knowing full well what the final outcome will be. The truth of the matter is that this Labour council can not be trusted. There is many many areas that could be cut within the council but they refuse to do this because the councillors love them and favour them. Cuts need to be made, but must be made in the right place.
That’s why we need a merge with Newport Council.
You really are deluded! If you think a merger will make services/keep services going. Sure it will get rid of dead wood departments, but services will be cut that are needed in order to fund the merger. What with new council name, new signs, new stationary letter heads, labeling up of vans council vehicles. This merger will cost a lot of money and believe me there will be jobless. But if thats what you want thats what you will get. Best start looking for a new job!
Just think about it logically and do your maths. It will cost a lot of money. You and I both know it will be the ones at the bottom going first the workers and then supervisors. Managers and councillors will all keep their jobs. Fact.
Councillors will be held to account by the voters.
Department Managers will have to run the department effectively.
Supervisors would need to be effective in the role.
Workers account for their time spent on working on projects.
As regards to re-branding this may or should be covered by the Welsh assembly as they want the 20 Councils reduced to 10.
You and i both know that the assembly wont contribute. It will be the merging council role to find the money. Why does the council need so many managers? They could save money by cutting managers and supervisors.
So what about the Well-being of Future Generations Wales Act 2015??
Like everything else – the council choose to ignore many things that don’t fit in with their plans.
The council should be run by its officers and scrutinised by the councillors,whereas in reality the councillors run the council,because its officers appear to be afraid of upsetting them.