Plans to 'privatise' Dudley leisure centres dropped

Dudley Council had been in talks with private contractors about the possibility of taking over the running of its leisure centres in Dudley town centre, Stourbridge and Halesowen. 

But Councillor Patrick Harley said that following a review of tender applications, the council was no longer looking to award an external contract.

The decision comes after a motion calling on the council to abandon the plan was passed unopposed at Monday's meeting of the council.

Trade unionists had held a demonstration outside Dudley Council House ahead of the meeting.

Councillor Harley said since the start of the tendering process, significant work had been done to improve the council's financial position.

He said with a balanced budget set for the next five years, there was now the space and time to re-evaluate all models of leisure service provision carefully and to look at options for retaining leisure provision within the direct control of the council.

He said: "The council has been and remains committed to ensuring high quality, inclusive and accessible leisure services in the borough that also deliver value for money for council taxpayers.

“Over the last few months, we've carefully considered the tenders put forward by external providers. Our due diligence suggests that the best value for money in leisure centres does not lie with outsourcing at this time.

"With the significant work we have taken to improve our financial position and with a balanced budget set for the next five years, we now have the time to re-evaluate and explore the future delivery of the service.

“The work completed to date will inform this review and alongside this we will be undertaking a full evaluation of our leisure estate to support us in agreeing the best option moving forward. This shows we are being financially responsible to seek the best value for money, whilst also committing to continue delivering first class leisure services in the borough.

“We are also keen for residents to be involved in this process as we work on ensuring a vibrant and viable leisure centre services provision for all in the borough.”