10:50am Monday 17th August 2009
By Julian Robinson
A CAMPAIGN is under way to stop council-run leisure facilities in Southampton being privatised.
Hundreds have signed a petition opposing moves to invite companies to run the city’s leisure services.
Tory council leaders say the privatisation of centres including Bitterne Leisure Centre, The Quays and Woodmill Outdoor Centre would cut costs and improving services.
But union bosses say privatisation could lead to worse conditions for low-paid staff and put pensions at risk. The changeover could be finalised as early as next September.
Campaign organiser and Labour">Labour councillor Sarah Bogle said: “It is not a good deal. What benefits will it bring to the service or to our customers?
I just don’t see what a private company can bring to the party.”
The council golf course could be the first to transfer within two years, followed by the rest of the facilities, which will be grouped together to be sold off in packages.
The first will include Bitterne and Chamberlayne Leisure Centre, The Quays, Southampton Water Activities Centre and Woodmill Outdoor Centre.
Southampton Sports Centre and its outlying pitches and ski centre would form another.
Most of the savings would be made by the bidding organisations setting up charitable arms to avoid paying full business rates.
It would mean a saving of around £300,000 a year for leisure services.
Unison branch secretary Mike Tucker said: “Privatisation for the l e i s u r e services is not in the interests of the people of Southampton or the people working in the leisure venues. It is a way of the council abdicating its responsibilities to provide leisure services.”
Councillor John Hannides Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage, said the procurement package was “progressing well”.
“The council expects to identify a preferred management and operation partner by March 2010, with the facilities up and running with the new partner by September 2010,” he added.
The scheme’s project manager, Kieran Humphrey, said: “If people have concerns they want to express to the council, we are really happy to hear them and to respond to them.”
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