LEISURE centre staff are calling on Neath Port Talbot (NPT) Council to take over the running of local services rather than transfer them to a private company.

Council workers want the local authority to run leisure services but plans are underway for a private company to take over.

Leisure services in NPT, including Pontardawe Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool, are currently run by Celtic Leisure, a private limited company, on behalf of the council.

The council gave the company a ten-year contract to run the services from 2015, but in 2020 it decided to look for a new service provider for the next 25 years; the contract with Celtic Leisure ends in September.

Rachel Ide, a sales executive for Celtic Leisure, said if the council does not agree to run the services, it would have “quite a devastating effect” on local communities.

She thinks the quality of leisure services in NPT would improve if the council takes over.

“I think if we were put out to tender to a profit-making organisation the service levels would absolutely fall. It would be awful for our members.

“As a community and council-led organisation I really feel that we can give a holistic approach to welfare, whether that’s mental or physical health.

“It’s crucial that we all work together. If the organisation was privatised, that wouldn’t happen I don’t think.”

According to a report published in 2020 by Andrew Thomas, who was head of transformation at the time, stated the council decided to look for a new service provider after experts assessed the “value for money” provided by Celtic Leisure.  

The report states that by looking for another service provider, the council wants to ensure local residents “continue to have the opportunity to participate in physical activity, and access to high quality leisure facilities”.

The report by Mr Thomas states: “There would therefore be no reduction in the facilities currently available.

“In the event that any changes are proposed during the proposed contract term, the appropriate consultations and legal requirements will be complied with.

“Staff of Celtic Leisure will transfer to the successful tenderer on the same terms and conditions to which they currently work under.”

IT manager Darren Morgan said local leisure services would be better if they were run by the council.

“I think the service delivery will always be consistent and the staff will do their best on the ground.

“There was a drop in footfall and income over the last couple of years so I think the council have picked up on that and that’s why they’ve made the decision to outsource us.”

Trade union UNISON has launched a campaign for the council to operate leisure services in NPT.

Over 3,000 people have signed a petition made by UNISON for the council to run the leisure services.

Mark Fisher, UNISON NPT branch chair, said: “Local people need a say in how their leisure centres are operated and that means the council running them directly.

“Taxpayers are funding the development of an exciting leisure centre in Neath town centre and the new facilities for Pontardawe, Aberavon and the Gwyn Hall.

“It wouldn’t be right for the buildings to then be outsourced to the private sector to claim all the profits. We want every penny generated, reinvested to improve community leisure services, not disappearing into private pockets.”

A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesman said: ”It would not be appropriate to comment  at this stage.”

The services included in the process are:

Pontardawe Leisure Centre

Pontardawe Swimming Pool

Neath Leisure Centre, which will be replaced by new a swimming pool and leisure centre in Neath town centre

Neath Sports Centre

The Vale of Neath Leisure Centre

The Gwyn Hall Neath

Aberavon Leisure and Fitness Centre