Kirklees Council 'getting a bad name' due to lack of transparency with KAL leisure centre closures

Shockwaves rippled across the borough when it was revealed on Monday, November 28 last year to unsuspecting members of the public that every leisure centre in Kirklees was under threat of closure. This came as a result of financial difficulties experienced by Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) – the non-profit organisation responsible for managing 12 centres in Kirklees.

Batley Baths and Recreation Centre, Colne Valley Leisure Centre (pool only), and Deighton Sports Arena are the three facilities that have been forced to temporarily close their doors with the situation set to be reviewed in March this year.

Communities felt betrayed as this major decision was made without public consultation and some councillors expressed equal dismay telling of how they too were kept in the dark. As a result, protests have been held, money raised and a legal challenge is being explored by Deighton campaigners.

At the latest meeting of Kirklees Council’s Cabinet, Coun Lesley Warner (Colne Valley, Independent Coun) asked for more collaboration when difficult decisions are to be made. She said: “What was very hard for all of us as councillors regarding the closures of the pools and the leisure centres was that the first any of us heard of it was when everybody heard of it.

“What I am struggling with is there were people on the council and officers who were aware that this was happening and there should’ve been an opportunity for some collaboration and for some discussion.

“I know you’ve got tough decisions but my bottom line is, whatever difficult decisions the council has to make, as far as possible I think where you can have open forums and ask for collaboration from the community.

“I think people are feeling that the council’s getting a bad name for this.”

In response, Coun Paul Davies, cabinet member for corporate services agreed that the time spent in consultation should be maximised where possible. He said: “Obviously KAL have made this decision based on the financial position they find themselves in, and again I know you’re aware of the significant assistance that council has given to KAL over the last two years, some £7.5m, but unfortunately as we’re seeing, because of the volatility that’s happened up until recently, who knows going forward in terms of energy costs, etc. then KAL have decided to make these decisions which I think every single one of us is really disappointed about.

“In terms of the timelines, certainly as a cabinet, as an administration, we only became aware of the final decision some days before it was announced. I think there were some people who believed we knew some months in advance. That wasn’t the case but I do feel, and we’ve already said this and we’ve said this to KAL that this certainly has to be now a close working relationship between KAL and community groups and councillors going forward in assessing the future of the temporarily closed premises and hopefully that means that from this point on there is much more collaboration going into what is continuing to be a very difficult time.”