Council and Leisure Trust working in partnership

Blaenau Gwent Council is renewing and strengthening its working partnership with the Aneurin Leisure Trust to continue to provide sports and cultural facilities for the people of the county borough.

The organisations will work together, supported by a robust Business Plan, to deliver high quality, sustainable and innovative services which will support the Council’s 10-year Leisure & Culture Strategy. A new Strategic Partnership Board, made up of key representatives from both organisations, will work closely together to oversee the maintenance and future growth of the leisure and culture sector in the area.

This means that the Aneurin Leisure Trust will continue to manage the following:

Councillor Joanne Collins, Executive Member for Education at Blaenau Gwent Council, says:
“I’m delighted that the Full Council has supported the move to renew and strengthen our relationship with Aneurin Leisure Trust, so that we can continue to work together to provide sustainable, high quality services for the people of Blaenau Gwent. With the approval of a new Leisure & Culture Strategy it was considered the right time to look at the future provision of these services, and a far reaching review involving elected members and industry experts was carried out. The conclusion from this was that continuing to work with the Trust, which has proven experience of running leisure services in the area and had developed a robust 10-year Business Plan, was the preferred option. 

The decision gives reassurance about the future of leisure and culture services in the borough, and supports the Council’s commitment to our partnership wellbeing goals of enabling people to take healthy lifestyle choices in to improve their wellbeing. The decision will also help to safeguard many local jobs, which in this current uncertain climate is very welcome news.

We recognise the importance of continuing to provide good leisure services especially as we look to grow our economy and encourage new employment and housing to the area.”

Phill Sykes, Operations Director at Aneurin Leisure Trust said:
"This is fantastic news and we're very excited about continuing the work of Aneurin Leisure Trust across Blaenau Gwent. We're committed to delivering our 10-year Business Plan which has the overall objective of improving community life at its heart. Our different areas of expertise in Leisure, Culture and Education will serve the community in the long-term and secure employment opportunities for local residents."

The contract between the Council and the Aneurin Leisure Trust was agreed for five years – with a progress review to be carried out after three years.

For more information about Aneurin Leisure Trust services: