Pembrokeshire County Council’s Welsh Conservative Group has unveiled an ambitious plan to secure the future of the county’s much-loved leisure services whilst also reducing costs, by partnering with a national leisure trust.

This move, which follows in the footsteps of many other councils across England and Wales, aims to improve the already outstanding services currently provided in-house while addressing a significant annual deficit of £2.5 million.

Under this proposal, the County Council would work with a national leisure trust to deliver high-quality services in a more financially sustainable way.

The group states that this ‘innovative approach’ is expected to not only protect but enhance the services that thousands of residents rely on for fitness, well-being, and community engagement.

Member Cllr Rhys Jordan emphasised the importance of taking proactive steps to secure the long-term future of leisure services.

“We understand the critical importance of our leisure services and the huge social benefit they bring across our county. However, if we are serious about continual improvements, we have to look at new ways to deliver better services,” he said.

With Welsh Government reducing budgets each year, costs will only go one way for the taxpayer. We know our plan to move to a partnership with a trust will not only make savings for the taxpayer but improve services for the user.”

Cllr Jordan, County councillor for the wards of St Florence and St Mary Out Liberty [New Hedges] recently fired criticism once againg at Pembrokeshire County Council for failing to address a long term plan for Tenby’s ‘close to failing’ swimming pool, which is situated at the PCC run leisure centre in the seaside village.

He made a fresh call to look at the swimming pool’s longevity, over a year after it was suggested that it is nearing the end of its operational life.

Leader of the Pembrokeshire Conservative Group, Cllr Di Clements, stressed that their approach is about making smart choices to ensure the council can focus on its statutory responsibilities while still maintaining valued non-statutory services.

“It’s easy to see how changing the way we do things or how we provide our non-statutory services could be seen as cutting, however, it’s important to remember that statutory services must take priority,” she remarked.

“Sometimes the council isn’t the best or most cost-effective way to provide a service, and we need to ensure we’re delivering the best outcomes for both residents and taxpayers.”

This partnership will allow Pembrokeshire’s leisure facilities to benefit from the expertise, investment, and efficiency of a national trust while ensuring local people continue to have access to high-quality services.

Similar models have proven successful across the UK, offering an effective way to maintain and improve leisure services without placing an increasing financial burden on local taxpayers.

The Conservative Group says it remains committed to protecting and enhancing leisure services, ensuring that they remain a valuable asset to the community for years to come.

Further details on the transition plan and public engagement process will be announced in the coming weeks.