Peter Hall (Chair of Abbey Steering group) and I attended a meeting with leisure officers and the Portfolio Holders for Finance (Alan Napier) and Leisure – for this issue (Bob Young) after my request yesterday for a meeting.

This was a constructive meeting with discussions of our bid and the current situation, with frank discussion about how we propose to run the centre, some disagreements but also some agreements.

We still do not know which way the council will decide to go, and though it would not surprise me if a leak found its way out as has happened before, it looks like we will have to wait until the 6th July to see the cabinet report and to find out if the group or any other group are progressing to the next stage.

What I am very clear about and all members of the Steering group are too, is that we are confident the group could successfully run the centre, protecting staff, improving facilities and making it sustainable for the future. Whether the Council agrees – we have to wait and see.