Mark Whitehead 30 October 2017

Leisure centres 'old and tired’ due to underfunding, council chiefs warn

The Government will miss a chance to transform the nation’s health if it fails to inject new funding into leisure infrastructure in the forthcoming Autumn Budget, councils have warned.

The Local Government Association (LGA) says most council-owned sports halls and swimming pools are at risk of becoming 'old and tired' as budgets are increasingly squeezed.

It says councils are just about managing to keep leisure facilities running but in many cases they are coming to the end of their lifespan.

In its Budget submission to Treasury the LGA is calling on the Government to introduce a £400m funding pot to pay for improvements to infrastructure for health and wellbeing.

It says Investment in leisure infrastructure would get more people physically active and help to tackle some of the major health issues facing the country such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: 'Leisure facilities are the cornerstone of a physically and mentally healthy community and are used by thousands of families every day.

'They get people active and keep them fit and healthy, which in itself is a major long-term cost saving for the country as it prevents the need for treatment further down the line that in turn puts significant extra pressure on social care and NHS services.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer)

Peterborough City Council
£107,790 - £128,742
Peterborough is one of the UK’s fastest growing and most ambitious cities. Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Recuriter: Peterborough City Council

Head of Service, Legal Services (Deputy Monitoring Officer)

Peterborough City Council
£80,217 - £97,576
Peterborough is one of the UK’s fastest growing and most ambitious cities. Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Recuriter: Peterborough City Council

Assistant Director Strategy & Community Regeneration

Newcastle City Council
£100,592 - £106,591 per annum
Newcastle is a city fast gaining a reputation for its innovation and progress. Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Recuriter: Newcastle City Council

Chief Planning Officer

Swindon Borough Council
£87,720 per annum
For us our Chief Planning Officer is the champion of what Swindon could be. Swindon, Wiltshire
Recuriter: Swindon Borough Council

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner