Shropshire Council explores new way of providing culture and leisure services

The council recently commissioned Strategic Leisure to undertake an objective review of their options for transforming the way that its services are delivered in the future.

The review included the following services: Leisure development, Outdoor recreation, Leisure facilities, Arts services, Archives and records management, Community archaeology service, Museum service and Shropshire libraries.

Following extensive consultation, the review identified a number of short and medium term service efficiencies to ensure that culture and leisure services are ‘fit for the future’, guaranteeing that they will continue to be available for use by local people, despite other funding cuts.

One of these short-term efficiencies includes a recommendation to seek bids from other leisure service providers on the open market to run five important community leisure facilities which are Market Drayton Swimming Centre, Oswestry Leisure Centre, Shrewsbury Sports Village and Indoor Bowls Hall, Whitchurch Swimming Centre and Shrewsbury’s Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre.

The council has now begun the process of advertising these on the open market. New management arrangements could be in place by as early as July 2012.

In their review, Strategic Leisure suggests that further consideration is needed for their proposed medium-term efficiencies. These include undertaking further discussions with partners about the future delivery of joint use leisure facilities, considering alternative management arrangements for arts, heritage and libraries once the leisure management contract is awarded, continuing to explore and develop local opportunities for service delivery, and considering the creation of a Cultural Trust as a possible option for the future running of arts, heritage and library management.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:

“We are extremely passionate about providing excellent culture and leisure services to our residents and this review has offers us a great opportunity to explore bold new approaches to future delivery.

“In this current financial climate it is more important than ever that culture and leisure services are ‘fit for the future’ – tailored to people’s changing needs, while continuing to provide excellent value for money.

“It is just one part of a wider approach to transforming public services, which will see businesses, social enterprises, and voluntary and community groups taking over the running of some services and facilities in Shropshire’s local communities, over the next few years.”

While the review puts forward future efficiencies, some key savings have already been made by introducing the BeActive Membership Scheme, introducing a new management structure, reviewing the operation of the Grange Sports Centre in Shrewsbury, and investing in energy-saving measures.

A report outlining Strategic Leisure’s findings and recommendations will be considered at the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 19 October 2011.