B&NES Council claims it requires a Leisure Strategy to guide it for the next 25 years. 25 years ago was 1988. Mobile phones were rare and huge to lug around. The internet as we know it did not exist. TVs were great big things with cathode ray tubes. Personal Computers were the preserve of businesses. People were allowed to smoke in pubs. Obesity was not a problem on the scale it is today. Life was very different. How much of today's ordinary life could have been predicted then. Probably, 25 years is too long a period to plan leisure and fitness services.

A report to be submitted to the Council today, 24th January, is designed to clarify the 'realistic' options available and provides recommendations to build the future leisure platform says Michael Butler, the Interim Divisional Director Tourism, Leisure and Culture.

The Economic and Community Development Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel of Councillors is asked to note the contents of this report, including the intention to sell, let and or transfer all assets listed below:

1 South Wansdyke Leisure Centre, MSN

2 Culverhay Sports Centre, Bath

3 Bath Pavilion

4 Entry Hill Golf Course, Bath

5 Approach Golf Course

6 Chew Valley Sports Centre, Chew Magna

7 Odd Down Playing Fields and

8 Lansdown Playing Fields.

The Councillors are also asked to approve the development and delivery of the provision of leisure facilities in Bath, including any contractual/partnering arrangements and to approve the development and delivery of the provision of leisure facilities in

Keynsham, including any contractual/partnering arrangements.

There is nothing in the recommendations about developing facilities in other semi-urban areas like Paulton, Peasedown St John, Radstock, Midsomer Norton or the Chew Valley.

As usual, the Council and its officials show themselves to be nearly blind about areas outside of Bath and the Avon Valley.

The Council currently spends around £1 million (net) per annum to support the entirety of its Sport and Active Lifestyles Service. This expenditure is divided roughly equally between subsidies for the provision of leisure services via facilities, mainly via the contract with Aquaterra Leisure, including the South Wansdyke Sports Centre at Midsomer Norton and on the well being and events programme.

Officers are now developing leisure options with the aim of reducing net spending on both areas of provision to zero, over the next few years.

This will involve elimination of the subsidy paid to operators of the Council's leisure facilities, with a view to operating all facilities on a self-funding basis.

A series of tendering exercises are already underway in order to ensure that each leisure facility is operated by a suitable incorporated company.

The cash from the sale of the Entry Hill Golf Course, the adjoining depot and the Pavilion, will subject to Cabinet and Council agreement be used to pay part of the cost of capital investment in new leisure facilities in Keynsham. This would reduce the on going impact of borrowing costs. Keynsham Leisure Centre is to be demolished as part of the redevelopment of Keynsham town centre and the new Riverside development and reprovision of the centre is required in order to meet the demand of the growing population.

The other leisure offers are to be evaluated individually and a suitable partner found for each. This may range from complete freehold sale or transfer under a long lease with no costs to B&NES Council.