By Suzanne Cumberbatch Councils have been told to improve their planning and partnership work around leisure services to get better value for money. The audit commission used a new report to urge chief executives and council leaders to take up more strategic planning in relation to leisure services, in a bid to match public expectations and improve quality and accessibility. Frances Done, the commission’s local government director, told The MJ that over the past 10 years, there had been a significant move away from in-house council-run services towards private and trust-run facilities. The report revealed that several councils were not effectively appraising all delivery options when considering future management of leisure services, and urged them to become more comprehensive by looking at current demands and likely future demands. ‘Although there are good examples, there are weaknesses across the sector,’ Ms Done said. ‘Partnerships are not being developed when and where they should be. We need to see more engagement, for example, with PCTs and the education sector.’ She added that millions of pounds were being ploughed into education for leisure facilities that could be used within the local community. ‘Councils need to look across boundaries and examine a greater partnership approach,’ said Ms Done. ‘That’s what this report is trying to do.’ She added that in future, a new focus would be placed on assessment of leisure services. Public sports and recreation service: Making them fit for the future is available at www.audit-commission.gov.uk. s.cumberbatch@hgluk.com
