Posted on: Tuesday 16 July 2024
A report requesting emergency financial support for Torfaen Leisure Trust will be discussed by councillors next week.
The report will also ask councillors to approve a recommendation that the future provision of leisure services in the borough is put out for procurement when the current management agreement ends.
According to the report, the council has allocated an annual payment to the trust since it was set up in 2013, with a view of the trust eventually becoming a sustainable commercial enterprise.
The trust, which manages the Bowden Centre, in Pontypool, Cwmbran Stadium leisure facility, Fairwater Leisure Centre and Pontypool Active Living Centre and ski slope, made significant progress towards becoming a commercial enterprise between 2013 and 2019.
Last year, the trust was allocated £1.3m for 2023/2024, plus an additional £500,000 to support its recovering from the impact of the Covid pandemic.
But in December 2023, it became clear the trust was continuing to struggle with financial sustainability after the pandemic and the council made several payments to help stabilise the financial position. Then in February 2024, the trust said it would not be able to set a balanced budget for 2024/2025 without additional financial support.
Following a period of enhanced monitoring, officers have recommended the trust is given an additional £1.2m to make up the shortfall in this year’s budget.
They have also recommended the contract to provide leisure services in the future is put out for procurement as a matter of urgency at the end of the current contract so there is a continued focus on delivering both a balanced budget, and delivering strong outcomes for the council’s county plan.
The report will be discussed at a meeting of the full council at 10am on Tuesday 23 July. You can view the live webcast here.
Read the report here.