Calls for more funding to help leisure centres in Cornwall stay open after lockdown
Cornwall Council will join a national call from the leisure centre industry to the Government for more funding
Cornwall Council will join a national call from the leisure centre industry to the Government for more funding.
There are concerns nationally that leisure centres may not reopen after lockdown unless more financial assistance is provided.
All centres are currently closed to the public and there are fears about the impact the enforced closure is having on their resources.
Cornwall Council owned leisure centres in Cornwall are operated by national firm GLL and the council has already provided more than £4million in financial support to help the company.
However, it was revealed yesterday that the council is in discussions about providing more money to the company.
The Government has made £100m available nationally for leisure centres but Cornwall councillors were told yesterday that Sport England had said this was not enough.
Julian German, leader of the council, said:
“The belief from Sport England was that the fund was four times less that is needed by the sector – £100m when £400m is needed.
“We haven’t yet received any funding from that £100m, there are announcements being made that some councils have received some funding in the last few days. Rather than all coming out at once, it seems to be trickling out, so we are hopeful that we will receive some funding shortly.
“But it probably won’t be what we need so we will wait and see.”
Cllr German said that the Local Government Association’s culture, tourism and sport board, had been continuing to press the government for more funding and he said that was backed by Cornwall Council.
Mike Eathorne-Gibbons, Cabinet member responsible for leisure centres, confirmed that the earlier funding provided to GLL had been used.
He said:
“The existing money has been utilised, it was a significant sum to support their activities, some £4m, and it is repayable. The latest situation they find themselves in is difficult and there are discussions going on between GLL and ourselves for further financial support.”
Cllr Eathorne-Gibbons said he echoed Cllr German’s concerns about the level of funding being provided by the Government.
“£100m just isn’t sufficient and we do need more money.”
The Cabinet member said that the council had also employed consultants to undertake a strategic review of GLL and its operation of leisure centres for the council.
He said that the review would take the next few months and the final report would be provided for councillors to consider.
Cllr Eathorne-Gibbons said that there was no indication about how much additional funding the council may have to provide to help GLL but said he would keep councillors informed.