Plans to close a handful of leisure centres and swimming pools for three months over the winter have been scrapped.

In a statement released this afternoon, Powys County Council has confirmed the decision made earlier this week to close three leisure centres and three swimming pools due to energy costs will now not be implemented.

The Council says that Wednesday's funding announcement, which revealed how much the Welsh Government would be giving Powys next year, was "better than anticipated".

The Council also said that a "comprehensive review" of leisure facilities would be undertaken in light of the age and condition of many of the county's amenities. They added that they will "fully engage" with local communities, users of the services and county councillors - as well as work closely with Freedom Leisure.

This review will begin in the new year.

The joint statement from Council leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Cllr David Selby and Cllr David Thomas reads:

"We have heard and listened to the views expressed by Members and the people of Powys since the Cabinet decided earlier this week to close some of our leisure facilities between January and March. The decision was made to try and address the additional financial challenges faced by Freedom Leisure in light of the significant increase in energy cost which are compounded by the decision to remove public sector organisations from the UK-wide Energy Support Scheme from March 2023.

"On Wednesday we received information about the funding that will be provided to the County by Welsh Government next year. The settlement is better than anticipated. In light of this, we have decided not to implement the decision made by Cabinet on the 13th of December to temporarily close three Leisure Centres and three swimming pools between January and March 2023.

"This will lead to additional pressure on our budget this year, and we will use some of the money from next year’s settlement to cover the additional costs incurred this year. This will be done by drawing on Reserves this year but replenishing them next year from the increased funding provided by Welsh Government.

"Many of the leisure facilities across the County are in need of investment due to their age and condition. Before we spend any significant capital funds, we will undertake a comprehensive review of the facilities and we will fully engage with local communities, those who use our services and County Councillors, as well as by working closely with Freedom Leisure.

"To make sure that we allocate sufficient time for this comprehensive review, it will begin early in the New Year and we will share the Terms of Reference with our Scrutiny Committees. Cabinet and Scrutiny will consider the recommendations of the review in due course.

"There is some urgency to undertake this review to make sure that our leisure services are sustainable in the future, particularly since we expect significant cuts in public expenditure from 2025 onwards."