Council set to extend support for Covid-hit key leisure partners

Swansea Council is set to extend the pandemic support it gives to key partner organisations that help deliver leisure services to people across the area.

A meeting of the council’s cabinet next week is to be asked to agree new financial backing for the bodies that run operations such as the LC, leisure centres and the Wales National Pool.

Such services help the council in its aim to create an active and healthy Swansea and a sporting city.

Cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “The impact of Covid-19 continues; we want our leisure partnerships to be sustainable so it’s important that we support them.

“The past two years has been challenging. However, all partners have performed well, managed costs to keep them as low as possible, have made staff and customer safety a priority and have ensured that all Government guidance has been followed.

“The aim for the next year is for all partners is to return to pre-Covid-19 trading positions. We’ll continue to support them and monitor recovery.”

Ongoing challenges leading to lower revenues include changes of habit amongst the public, more people working from home, increased staff costs and new recruitment challenges.

Guidance from the Welsh Local Government Association and the leisure industry during Covid was that financial assistance from local authorities would be critical. Swansea Council has continued to follow the advice and guidance.

Much of the council’s support so far has been funded by the Welsh Government.

New backing now proposed – up to £1m for the period up to March 2023 – would be sourced from a previously agreed Covid support budget at the council.

The LC and the community leisure centres are council-owned facilities used by thousands of people every week. They are run by not-for-profit trust Freedom Leisure. The council has supported the trust’s local operations since the lockdowns began as the facilities were obliged to close temporarily then reopen in phases.

The Wales National Pool is jointly funded by the council and Swansea University. The pool too had to close temporarily to help the country tackle Covid. Additional financial support was provided for 2021-22 – and more may now be approved.

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “New funding will provide our partners with the greatest chance of fully recovering and will reduce the future financial impact on the council longer term.

“Losing or significantly reducing such services could have a significant impact on the groups of the communities they serve.

“The Swansea people who use these facilities vary greatly and include disabled people, older people, single parents, children and young people. The services provide engaging and welcoming spaces and places to use and feel comfortable.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)