‘ADVENTURE’ golf at Forge Mill Needle Museum, more seats at the Palace Theatre and a 3G running track could be in the pipeline at key council leisure assets.
It comes after the authority’s Conservative-controlled executive committee last week rubber stamped plans to transfer them to a new not-for-profit local authority trading company, or Teckal.
Under the proposals the Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre, the Palace Theatre, Pitcheroak Golf Course and the community centres in Windmill Drive, Oakenshaw, Batchley and Winyates Green will move to the new company by December 1, 2018.
It is anticipated the transfer could save council coffers £440,000 per annum with more possible.
Assets earmarked for a possible transfer later include Arrow Valley Park and the town’s BMX track.
The scheme, which now goes forward to full council on this evening, September 17, represents a something of a triumph for the previous Labour administration.
It was they who last year first proposed using a Teckal, which enables the council to maintain direct control of the facilities, in the face of fierce opposition from the Conservatives, then in opposition.
They had wanted to authority to use an external company to run leisure services, which might have brought more savings but would have meant offering longer contracts.
Councillor Mike Rouse (Con, Church Hill), whose portfolio covers leisure, said: “I believe this is the right way forward for the borough.
“As a parent of two young daughters I talk to other people and they are excited about what’s happening here and I think this strikes the right balance and it is what people are happy with.”
Councillor Gregg Chance (Lab, Central) said: “We support the principle of moving forward after supporting the Teckal in the teeth of quite disparaging comments at the time. However you have recognised that this is the way forward.
“We welcome the change of heart from the ruling group.”
A Labour amendment to hold a public competition to choose a name for the new company was defeated.
Labour Leader Bill Hartnett (Church Hill) said: “There is a lot of talent in Redditch, this could have been a great opportunity missed to ‘Unlock Redditch’ and the talent which undoubtedly n Redditch.
Staff transferring to the new company will have their council terms and conditions and pensions protected however the authority has set aside £250,000 to deal with any redundancies in the first 12 months.
