Archived press release

Date Published: 10/09/07

A charitable trust could be established to take over the day-to-day running of two of Aylesbury Vale’s most prestigious leisure centres. Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet has agreed in principle to set up a leisure trust to ru...

A charitable trust could be established to take over the day-to-day running of two of Aylesbury Vale’s most prestigious leisure centres.

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet has agreed in principle to set up a leisure trust to run the Aqua Vale Swimming and Fitness Centre in Aylesbury and the Swan Pool and Leisure Centre in Buckingham, subject to the outcome of further financial and legal investigations. If the council decides to go-ahead with the leisure trust option, the formal handover could take place in 2008.

The trust will be a not-for-profit organisation, which will be able to secure financial and operational benefits that are currently not available. It will allow the centres to be run even more efficiently and will ensure that they continue to deliver high quality value for money facilities for local residents.

The change would mean that the day-to-day management will be overseen by a locally-appointed board of trustees, who will work in partnership with the council. Residents will be able to apply to secure a place on the board, which will give them a direct say in how the facilities are run.

Members of the board will need to have the skills necessary to fulfil the trust’s charitable objectives. The board must be representative of service users, staff and of the different communities in the district.

AVDC’s leisure facilities have a key role in respect of improving the health and well-being of local people, which forms part of the council’s overall vision set out in the community plan. The trust will reinvest surplus funds into the facilities and services provided and will strive to secure even greater social inclusion through its activities.

The council’s leisure centres are currently managed by Serco Ltd, a private sector management contractor. Under the leisure trust proposals, Serco Ltd would continue to provide the day-to-day management of the facilities but would be responsible to the board of trustees instead of the council.

The leisure trust would look after the council’s leisure centres until 31 March 2012, when Serco Ltd’s current contract for the management of Aqua Vale expires. AVDC would continue to provide financial support for the leisure centres.

Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “The reason we are looking into the leisure trust option is we believe it could really benefit sports and leisure provision in Aylesbury Vale. It will generate savings and efficiencies which can be used to reinvest within the facilities and will directly involve local residents. We must do this right in order to continue to provide the best facilities for the community.”