Council criticised over move to privatise leisure facilities

Leader of the York Council Green group Coun Andy D’Agorne claims there is wide cross-party opposition to the decision to recruit a private operator for the yet to be built stadium at Monks Cross along with the city’s other council-owned leisure bases, Energise and Yearsley Pool.

Coun D’Agorne says the decision by Sonja Crisp, York Council cabinet member for leisure, culture and social inclusion, on January 10 to begin a process to recruit a private operator, contained very little detail and had not been subject to public debate.

Coun D’Agorne said: “The city’s existing leisure facilities at Energise and Yearsley have been bundled up into a deal to attract bids from a private company to manage a stadium that has yet to even obtain planning permission, and without any prior public consultation.

“If this does go ahead, the details of the tender documents will be crucial in protecting the future of the city’s leisure facilities.

“What will be included to protect the future of Energise and Yearsley should a private company decide it might be financially advantageous in future to cut back on some area of service or another?

“We should be able to see details of how the council will retain control over fees and charges so all York residents can access the facilities, and how the tender will be weighted to ensure community benefit and sustainability won’t be traded off to ensure market interest.

“I am concerned to know how access for young people, schools and people on low incomes will be guaranteed, and how the council plans to actively encourage bids from social enterprises rather than multi-national companies.”

The Green Party says Yearsley Swimming Pool also recently underwent a £1m refurbishment and £1.8m was spent on Energise – both with public money – and the facilities should not then be transferred to a private operator.

Coun D’Agorne last night called on York Council’s scrutiny management committee to refer proposals to privatise the management of the city’s leisure centres to the cabinet for further consideration. A report into the proposals has said the move could cut costs and provide extra investment.