Wigan Council taking over management of leisure and wellbeing services

Now, though, the local authority has said it will once again be managing the facilities and services from April 1.

The town hall says the move will safeguard jobs and services.

Both parties spoke extremely positively of what had been achieved in the 17 years of the partnership.

They said leisure centres, country parks, outdoor education and essential wellbeing services had all flourished thanks to partnership working between the council and IHL and the dedicated workforce.

However, the announcement made clear that the impact of Covid-19 on the borough was a key factor in the decision to bring the services back under council oversight.

A consultation with the Wigan-based leisure staff will now take place, with a view to the existing services being transferred back into the council from early 2021.

Coun Chris Ready will add the leisure and wellbeing services to his culture and communities portfolio.

Gareth Cross, IHL's chairman of the board of trustees, said: “I, along with every member of the board of trustees, are incredibly proud of every member of the charity’s workforce who have shown nothing but hard work, commitment and dedication throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the last 17 years of providing public services.

“The impact on the leisure, culture and wellbeing sector has been significant. Wigan Council and Inspiring healthy lifestyles have been working together to determine the best way forward in these challenging times.

"Our shared priority is to safeguard jobs and to protect the continued provision of physical activity, wellbeing and leisure services for residents and communities.”

The leader of Wigan Council, Cllr David Molyneux, said: “Leisure and wellbeing services are a key priority for the council, our NHS partners and our communities.

"Young people also told us clearly in our recent Big Listening project that health and wellbeing is of critical importance for them and that is why I have asked Coun Chris Ready to take on this important addition to his portfolio alongside culture and communities."

The council last brought services back under its wing in 2017 when libraries in the borough were transferred.

It promised to keep everyone involved in the leisure services transfer updated on progress over the next few months.

Coun Ready said: “We have fantastic leisure and wellbeing services in our borough that we have invested significantly in over recent years – from our leisure centres to our wonderful green spaces and targeted work with our health partners to support residents with long term health conditions.

"We have been very clear that we need to protect these vital services for residents and the fantastic staff that work in our leisure centres and open spaces.

"I am very pleased that despite the financial impact of Covid-19 on the leisure sector, we can protect staff and services for residents and members of our leisure centres in this way.

"We have big ambitions for the future of these services, and I look forward to working with our residents and communities to make them a reality.”

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