Sponsored by
Councillor's shocking admission over leisure centres
The councillor charged with overseeing leisure centres in South Ribble has admitted he has no control over their running.
Coun David Suthers, the cabinet member with responsibility for leisure and cultural services on South Ribble Council, said he is a "lone voice" in raising objections to a committee of trustees which controls the district's four centres.
It comes after concerns were raised over a new booking system and a damning government report into a playscheme run by Serco Leisure, the firm which runs the centres on behalf of the council.
Coun Suthers admitted to a full council meeting there had been a few "major hiccups" at the centres, but insisted the problems were being sorted.
He said: "I do go to meetings and put the views of the council forward, but it is a vote of six and I do not have overall control of Serco Leisure Ltd.
"I have direct control over playing fields, but I do not have direct control over Serco.
"Serco is a company providing a service and they are not going to get everything right, you cannot please all the people all the time. I have been told that the problems which have been raised have been dealt with. Where do you want me to go?"
County Coun Anne Brown, who represents Leyland South West, told the meeting that problems with the new booking system, which allows bookings to be made on credit and debit cards, had caused staff "enormous problems" and infuriated regular users.
Coun Paul Foster told of his "grave concern" at a damning report which blasted an out-of-school care programme operated by Serco at the Leyland Leisure Centre, which labelled parts of the scheme "inadequate".
Coun Suthers said he had been assured by Serco that the problems had been sorted.
He was then rounded on by opposition members accusing him of trying to pass the blame.
Coun Matthew Tomlinson, a former member of the leisure services committee, said: "You talk about there being checks and balances, well you are the checks and balances and it is up to you to go to that board of trustees and give the view of the council."
Coun Fred Heyworth suggested that his council colleague get himself a sign saying "the buck stops here" to place on his desk.
Serco Leisure took over running the centres, including those in Leyland, Bamber Bridge, Penwortham and the South Ribble Tennis Centre, in November 2005. Nearly a year ago there was a crisis in South Ribble when four managers at different centres left their posts.
A spokesman for the South Ribble Community Leisure Trust said he was unable to comment.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
