Abbey Leisure Centre is in the target of the County Council cuts. The centre currently costs around £180,000 to run after costs and revenue.

The council has failed to consult with councillors before releasing this information, indeed it was leaked to the press – hardly the way to do business. I will work with other councillors to find out what is really going on here as it is clear the council have been doing all they can to try and run down the centre,  stop investment in it, and even as late as January this year appoint a business development manager despite knowing they were going to consult on closing the centre.

If anyone wants to see the reports which are going to cabinet next week outlining the closure consultation they can see them here:

http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/minutesinfo.aspx?ItemId=dXznWyuvP0k=

I do not believe that this closure is necessary and think that a sensibly run council would be making this facility break even. Local Lib Dem councillors will do all that they can to keep this centre open.