Gateshead leisure services consultation closes
Gateshead Council's public consultation on the future of its leisure services closed earlier this week (midnight, Tuesday 20 December) with a total of 7,419 responses.
Throughout November and December, The Council has held several engagement sessions with groups who frequently use the leisure centres to understand the impact that potential closures may have on them.
Prior to starting the public consultation, the Council recognised that it had only a limited insight into the community's use of leisure centres in the borough. The aim of the public consultation and engagement sessions was to provide clarity around the impact that potential closures may have on our residents and community groups who currently use the centres. Following the consultation, the Council will analyse the responses to gain a comprehensive view of the issues that people may face is the leisure centres were to close.
A report on the outcome of the consultation will be considered by cabinet at its meeting in January 2023, where it will be asked to review the results of the consultation and make a final decision on the future of leisure in Gateshead.
Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of the Council, said: "We are currently in a cost-of-living crisis, and rising inflation is putting additional pressures on the Council to deliver critical services. At a time when costs are soaring, our budgets are being cut and there are expectations from residents that we can continue to deliver the same level of service as in previous decades - but this is simply impossible.
"While the consultation has been completed, our efforts to lobby for government funding will not stop. We are seeking an additional £6.6m per annum in ring fenced funding to safeguard our leisure services across the borough. If this is not achieved, then sadly we have no option but to rationalise our leisure services."
The Council is grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views.
Gateshead Council's public consultation on the future of its leisure services closed earlier this week (midnight, Tuesday 20 December) with a total of 7,419 responses.
Throughout November and December, The Council has held several engagement sessions with groups who frequently use the leisure centres to understand the impact that potential closures may have on them.
Prior to starting the public consultation, the Council recognised that it had only a limited insight into the community's use of leisure centres in the borough. The aim of the public consultation and engagement sessions was to provide clarity around the impact that potential closures may have on our residents and community groups who currently use the centres. Following the consultation, the Council will analyse the responses to gain a comprehensive view of the issues that people may face is the leisure centres were to close.
A report on the outcome of the consultation will be considered by cabinet at its meeting in January 2023, where it will be asked to review the results of the consultation and make a final decision on the future of leisure in Gateshead.
Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of the Council, said: "We are currently in a cost-of-living crisis, and rising inflation is putting additional pressures on the Council to deliver critical services. At a time when costs are soaring, our budgets are being cut and there are expectations from residents that we can continue to deliver the same level of service as in previous decades - but this is simply impossible.
"While the consultation has been completed, our efforts to lobby for government funding will not stop. We are seeking an additional £6.6m per annum in ring fenced funding to safeguard our leisure services across the borough. If this is not achieved, then sadly we have no option but to rationalise our leisure services."
The Council is grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views.
