Leisure facilities may be privatised

In 2003, Calderdale Council flirted with the idea of handing over seven sports centres and pools to private operators in the hope they would provide the cash needed to upgrade them.

Within a year, 10 firms had made informal offers to provide management services and the council was poised to begin advertising for interest until the idea was abandoned.

But it has been revived following a review by communities director Robin Tuddenham, who has told councillors that leisure services have a big part to play in helping to balance the books.

He said: "The announcement that councils will be responsible for public health and encouraging healthier lifestyles, alongside the demise of the primary care trusts, creates an opportunity for leisure services.

"Currently, all services are provided directly by the council but alternatives can be considered, changing the council from a provider to a commissioner."

Mr Tuddenham said there was scope for a staff buyout, social enterprises, trusts, partnerships or private companies to provide services.

The idea of private companies running Calderdale's public sports centres and swimming pools was mooted several years ago when the seven centres considered for privatisation were Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax and Elland swimming pools, North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax, the Ridings Sports Centre, Ovenden, Halifax, and Todmorden Sports Centre and Pool.

In 2005 it was reported that French, Spanish or Dutch companies could end up running the borough's leisure facilities as councillors would have to advertise widely if joining forces with private firms.