Residents invited to have their say in leisure services consultation

18 December 2023

Cheshire East Council’s public consultation on proposals for leisure services will remain open for comments over the Christmas and New Year period, closing on Sunday 7 January.

The council is inviting feedback on potential ways funding for leisure services can be targeted to deliver the greatest impacts on residents’ health and wellbeing – while also ensuring that essential savings can be made.

The first stage of the leisure services review – based around the need to generate £1.29m of essential savings in 2023/24 – has already been delivered.

The second stage of the review focuses on how the council’s available budget to support leisure services can be targeted to achieve the greatest health and wellbeing impacts for the communities and people that need it the most.

This is in the context of the council needing to secure minimum essential savings in leisure services of £479,000. Like many local authorities, the council continues to face an extremely challenging financial environment. The council’s second financial review (November 2023) reported a forecast financial gap of £18.7m.

In developing the proposals, the council has considered existing site usage data and data relating to the varied levels of health and wellbeing need across Cheshire East – and where these needs are highest.

No decisions have yet been made about leisure services, or specific leisure centres, and people are encouraged to share their views about the proposals by taking part in the consultation.

The comments received – plus more detailed data relating to the use of leisure centres by community groups, sports clubs and, where appropriate, schools – will help to shape the final proposals that will be brought back to committee in early 2024.

To take part in the consultation. 

To receive the survey or consultation material in an alternative format, or submit feedback in a different way, email or call 0300 123 55 00.