NEWS POLITICS

Criticism over free leisure offer for council staff

Powys County Council is facing criticism over an offer for all council staff, including teachers, to enjoy free use of leisure facilities run by the struggling Freedom Leisure Group.

2 years ago   2 minutes read    1,798 views

The image for Criticism over free leisure offer for council staff
 
Share            Listen to the story

Powys County Council is facing criticism over an offer for all council staff, including teachers, to enjoy free use of leisure facilities run by the struggling Freedom Leisure Group.

The offer, which includes a free seven-day pass for all Powys County Council staff, including those working at schools, has sparked outrage amongst residents who are struggling to cope with rising heating and grocery bills, as well as the cost of using leisure centres across the county.


  Other Trending Stories

    The future of Freedom Leisure Group-run facilities in Powys has been uncertain due to pressure for additional funding from the company, which led to the announcement of three-month closures of certain leisure facilities only a few months ago. The decision was reversed following public outcry and a better-than-expected final settlement from Welsh Government.

    County Councillor Graham Breeze (Welshpool) has questioned the decision to accept the offer, asking if it is appropriate for a struggling organisation to offer free facilities to council staff at centres that were under threat of closure only a few months ago. He also raised concerns that the council staff are benefiting from a seven-day free pass while residents across the county are struggling to afford the facilities.

    Councillor Breeze has called on Council Leader James Gibson-Watt and Councillor David Selby, Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, to answer a series of questions regarding the decision to accept the offer. These include whether the offer was discussed and approved at Cabinet Level or scrutinised by the council in any way, and if the acceptance of free use of facilities for council staff will be permitted in the future.

    The controversy comes at a time when many families throughout Powys are experiencing rising costs of leisure centre usage.

    The full list of questions are listed below. A response must be given within 20 working days.

    "Could the Council Leader and the Portfolio Holder for a More Prosperous Powys please answer:

    If they consider it appropriate that a struggling organisation such as Freedom Leisure should be offering free facilities to Powys County Council staff at centres which were under threat of closure only months ago?

    If they consider it appropriate that Powys County Council staff should benefit from a seven-day free pass to use facilities which residents from all across the county are struggling to afford?

    Was the offer from Freedom Leisure discussed and approved at Cabinet Level or scrutinised by the council in any way?

    If the answer to question 3 is “No” can confirmation be provided of who did approve and accept the offer?

    Will they recognise that the acceptance of free use of the facilities for Powys County Council staff was ill-conceived and will not be permitted in the future?"

    You've viewed 1 stories so far!

    All About Newtown is an independent not-for-profit online news and information service for the town of Newtown in Mid Wales. We provide ad-free content, so rely on reader subscriptions and donations to run.

      Donate via PayPal

    Related or similar stories based on this one

    Image for the article £82m to convert leisure centres to net zero
    £82m to convert leisure centres to net zero

    1 year ago

    Image for the article 8 swimming pools could be at risk of closure
    8 swimming pools could be at risk of closure

    9 months ago

    Image for the article Freedom Leisure finishes the year with 93k deficit
    Freedom Leisure finishes the year with 93k deficit

    1 year ago

    Business of the Week
    La Terrazza Bistro

    Park Street

    Follow us

    Connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Google News

         

    Trending
    Donate to us

    We're a not-for-profit community interest company and have no corporate owners. We'd appreciate anything you can give to keep us providing free content.

      Donate via PayPal
    Upcoming Events
    Digital Friends’ Group

    08/05/25 10:30am

    Newtown 10k 2025

    25/05/25 08:40am

    Business Wales: Entrepreneurship and Start-Up Service

    27/05/25 11:00am

    Latest Stories
    Opinion: Powys patients deserve fairness

    1 week ago

    Textile Museum to open early this year

    1 week ago

    See what's on next week in our area (W17)

    2 weeks ago