Carmarthenshire's leisure facilities under microscope

A study into the impact of the recession on Carmarthenshire’s leisure facilities has provided a blueprint for future provision across the county.
From costs of running Carmarthenshire’s sole surviving harbour at Burry Port to indoor bowls facilities, a ski slope, all leisure centres and every other facility has been examined in detail.
The study provides invaluable background data for officers and members to consider the best way of providing these services and facilities in the future, whether directly by the authority, in partnership with others or by other possible means.
No decisions have been taken and County executive board member for leisure services, Cllr Clive Scourfield, said: “We have to be armed with all the necessary revenue information to know what difficult decisions we might have to take in these austere times and in future years.
“It could affect our future management thinking in respect of everything from our harbour to country parks and leisure centres.
Praising a task and finish group’s report to the executive board, Cllr Scourfield, said: “Now we have a blueprint, warts and all, from which we can make considered decisions. The days of excessive subsidies and running with continuing losses have gone.”
The County Council’s regeneration and leisure scrutiny committee set up the group in April to determine what would be the best solution to get through and survive the impact of years of predicted economic difficulties. Without such planning it was possible some facilities might have faced closure overnight.
The group reviewed the costs of operating leisure facilities from 2007 to 2010 comparing performance indicators with the commercial sector. Many cost saving improvements have already been put in place as a result of the detailed study.
Included in the review were the county’s leisure facilities at Llanelli, Carmarthen, Amman Valley, Newcastle Emlyn and St Clears. Sports centres at Gwendraeth, Bryngwyn, Glanymor, and Coedcae - all managed by the authority on behalf of the schools - and Strade, handed back to the school in 2009. Indoor bowls clubs at Bro Myrddin and Dinefwr; swimming pools at Llandovery and Newcastle Emlyn; Pendine’s Outdoor Education Centre; Llanelli’s Millennium Coastal Park and Discovery Centre; Burry Port Harbour; Pembrey Country Park, including Ski Pembrey; Gelli Aur and Llyn Llech Owain Country Parks and Garnant and Glyn Abbey golf courses. Glyn Abbey is currently managed by a commercial operator.
The group accepted that the recession and bad weather had influenced the level of use of some facilities in recent years but a more significant impact had been increased utility costs.
Running costs had been improved in some instances by realigning staffing arrangements and reducing opening hours to match demand.
The group also noted that if school sites were not subsidised their operation compared favourably with private sector operations.
In making any future decision on its facility portfolio the group said the location and context of each facility would have to be considered due to the county’s varied rural and urban mix and needs.
Leisure services scrutiny chair, Cllr Anthony Jones, said: “Officers have put in a tremendous amount of work which shows not only how well blessed we are across the country with leisure facilities but also how well run they are. Some are now running better as a result of the study and have a better chance to continue and prosper in the future.
“Now, fundamentally, we have a blueprint from which to make many of the tough decisions that may have to be taken with consideration being given to community, voluntary or private sector management in relation to some of our facilities.
“We will have to use space better, share facilities more economically and without being parochial, make some difficult decisions.
“This will particularly be the case in respect of facilities with lower community usage and high in-house running costs.”

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