The current cost-of-living crisis has seen councils across the UK face inflationary pressures
It has been announced that a leisure centre will be closing this summer, following an extraordinary Council meeting, due to the impact of inflationary pressures and operating costs.
But the pandemic and the subsequent massive increases in energy bills, along with staffing costs has seen this loss balloon to £280k per year. The Trust’s overall costs for wages and energy have increased by more than £1m since before Covid. The closure will come into effect from July, with the leisure centre remaining open as normal until then.
“Rising demand across all services means a higher proportion of council budgets are absorbed by statutory and frontline services whilst we’re also facing severe inflationary pressures. “We need to address these financial issues urgently and it is important to note that other facilities may also be at risk if immediate action is not taken.
Borough councillors were called to the meeting on Monday, when the widely-anticipated report on Rossendale Leisure Trust was scheduled to be discussed.There were some worries and disagreements among some councillors concerning the future of Whitworth’s swimming pool in the past. “At the December [2022] council meeting, it was agreed that an independent study would be commissioned to fully-assess the risk to the council and suggest mitigating actions.”
Commenting, Conservative Group Leader Cllr David Foxcroft, said: “These problems have come to a head not because of the impact of recent rises in energy prices – but the total failure of Labour to invest in our leisure facilities left little choice.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Beloved cake shop heartbroken as crippling cost of living crisis forces closureThe shop has been open for around five years
Read more »
People have only just discovered a 'magic hangover cure' at their local pharmacyTHERE is nothing quite like a hangover. The thudding headache, hours of nausea and crippling anxiety is (almost) enough to put anyone off drinking full stop. But chances are you’ll be back at…
Read more »
Lampard says 'tactics don't matter' *again* as Chelsea boss learns nothing from interim spellLampard came up with a Chelsea 'excuse' but the shocking form of course has nothing at all to do with his tactics, which are exemplary.
Read more »
James Cromwell Feared He'd Get Fired From Succession For This One SceneThe actor said he worried an on-set issue would spell disaster for his career.
Read more »