In a move that could save it up to £200,000 per year, B&NES Council is due to make a decision on a Community Asset Transfer of Midsomer Norton's South Wansdyke Sports Centre, as well as the Somer Valley Adventure Play Park and Skate Park, toilet block and car park, to Writhlington Sports Trust from 1st July this year.

If agreed, the transfer would be on the basis of a peppercorn lease, for the Trust to deliver Sport, Leisure and Health provision for 99 years. Writhlington Sports Trust, which successfully runs the Writhlington Sports Centre, has an annual turnover of £1.3 million and employs over ninety staff living in the local area.

The proposal includes a name change to Midsomer Norton Leisure Centre (which would be consulted upon) and a commitment to invest £800,000 into the facility in the first five years. £530,000 of this money would be spent in the first twelve months for improvements to the Sports Centre and all current staff would transfer, with the potential for increased employment opportunities.

Paulton Parish Council has also approached Writhlington Sports Trust to take over the operational management of the village swimming pool, which was leased by asset transfer. The Parish Council has been struggling to finance the running costs of the pool and manage operations and so sees this approach as a way to create the best offer for the community. Any profits generated would be reinvested back into the pool.

Should the asset transfer proceed, B&NES Council will be free of the responsibility of the maintenance of the play equipment installed at the Somer Valley Play and Skate Park in 2010, saving 500 hours of time for staff and a £10,000–£11,000 cost by transferring the toilet block. The Trust propose to upgrade the toilet facility and open it up to users of the park and states it would keep the car park free for all, whilst increasing parking bays, funded by the Trust.

There are also proposals for an outdoor café and seating overlooking the play park and to work with the Somer Centre and Town Council on a number of local projects. It says trade should benefit from greater visitors to the site and, in turn, Midsomer Norton town centre.

The Town Council, though, has been surprised at the news and expressed annoyance that its own asset transfer for the Town Hall is taking so long. "Given the importance of the South Wansdyke Leisure Centre, the Skate and Adventure Play Park and the toilets at Gullock Tyning to residents of all ages in Midsomer Norton and the surrounding areas, it is staggering that neither the B&NES Ward Councillors nor Midsomer Norton Town Council have been consulted on what is quite a radical departure from the usual process of tendering to provide a service under contract in favour of a deal which will last 99 years," said Cllr Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton.

"That said, I am keen to ensure that the way this has been handled by B&NES does not mean that we forego something that could benefit not just the people of Midsomer Norton, but the whole Somer Valley. Having met for the first time this week with Writhlington Sports Centre Management, there is no doubt in my mind that the facilities they have built up over the last decade and the way they operate them is very impressive.

"There is a mountain of detail to work through to fully understand the implications for Midsomer Norton of the proposal, ranging from the robustness of the business plans to ensuring that current users such as Norton Radstock Swimming Club don't face massive price hikes and that Midsomer Norton Fayre can take place at the Adventure Play and Skate Park on 11th July 2015."

Writhlington Sports Trust is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status and has offered a B&NES elected member a position on the Trust Board, should the asset transfer proceed. As well as improved facilities, the Trust would be offering expansion of apprenticeships, work experience schemes and industry specific vocational training and qualifications.