Dudley Council leader speaks about protecting future of leisure centres after petition opposing privatisation submitted

Councillor Patrick Harley said that the Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre in Dudley, Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge and Halesowen Leisure Centre would remain safe and made available to residents until at least 2030 under the new council budget for 2025/26.

Councillor Harley was responding to a 5,000 signature petition by campaigners which opposed privatisation of the leisure centres and demanded that the leisure centres continue to be directly run for the benefit of communities,.

The campaigners, who were supported by the Labour Group and the Unity Group, highlighted issues that privatisation could bring, including higher prices for users, lower pay and reduced conditions for staff, and an end to free swimming in Dudley, as well as an uncertain future for the Crystal Leisure Centre. 

Councillor Harley said while he understood what the organisers of the petition were doing and how well-intentioned they were, he said that it would be unwise not to look at options which could safeguard the future of the centres.

He said: "I think that these organisers, well-intentioned as they are, need to actually look around the West Midlands and wider UK and see just how many local authorities are closing leisure centres as they get round to finalising their 2025/26 budgets.

"Dudley is not proposing that and we are proposing to set a budget for the next five years, so I'm putting out the clear statement and intent that our three centres are safe and will be made for our residents and communities until at least 2030.