The Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have launched petitions to save leisure centres in Powys.

It follows a review by Powys County Council over the future of leisure centre services. In September, ‘no decisions’ had been made about the future configuration of the county’s leisure centres.

Now, the council have said services need ‘a rethink over the coming years to safeguard provision for future generations’, proposing four options for the future of leisure options in the county.

Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys, Councillor Richard Church said: "We want to lay the foundations for a sustainable service for future generations to help support an active and healthy population in the county.

"Our services are well regarded and have been well supported in the past, but our review has shown that the existing facilities are not fit for purpose and cannot deliver our aspirations for a healthy and active county, without significant investment.

"The council has identified different options that could form the blueprint for the way services are managed in the future.

"We propose taking four options out for public consultation, setting out the costs and seeking the views of service users and communities on a preferred way forward.

"Leisure services are an important part of the council. We run more leisure centres than any other Council in Wales and we must ensure that any future option is affordable, provides equitable access and supports a healthy and active population," he added.

David Chadwick, MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe and Wales’ Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS have said that more money should be made available to the council, with the hope that buildings can be modernised.

David Chadwick MP said: “Our pools and leisure centres are vital to the future of our communities. With a crisis in mental health especially for young people and the need to tackle obesity and its impact on the NHS, any closure would be a massive step in the wrong direction.

“This is not to mention the use in rehabilitation for those with injuries or with conditions like arthritis. The Conservatives cut council budgets to the bone throughout their time in office, but we now need the Welsh Labour Government to step up to the plate and provide funding to keep our leisure centres open.

“I will be fighting to keep these vital public amenities open across our communities.”

The petition launched by the Liberal Democrats can be found here.

James Evans MS for Brecon and Radnorshire has also spoken on the decision, saying: “It is the Lib Dems/Labour that have come up with this ‘Sustainable Powys’ strategy. I have been saying for months now this risks losing services outside of Brecon, Llandrindod Wells & Ystradgynlais. They accused me of scaremongering and yet again, I have been proved right. I cannot believe they are even considering an option that would mean us losing leisure centres.

“I find it unbelievable that Jane Dodds MS and David Chadwick MP have the brass neck to stand outside Ystradgynlais Leisure Centre – which ironically is not one of the Leisure Centres under threat – and say we need more money from Welsh Government. The same Jane Dodds MS that voted in support of the Welsh Government budget. Some Lib Dem members are starting petitions to save their local centre when it is their own side taking the decisions that could mean closure! If your local member is serious about saving services – they should resign and become an independent Member. Local Authorities have always been under budgetary pressures and every Administrator has to stand behind the decisions they make and the choices they take – not hide away and blame others.

“I want to be absolutely clear to all the residents in Powys – this is a political choice being made by the Lib Dems and Labour-run Council. The electorate needs to hold them to account for any decision they take on closing your Leisure Centre. They have a choice on how they spend the money – we have already seen them waste money an example of which is how they have quadrupled the number of Officers on salaries over £70,000.

“I urge the Lib Dems/Labour to keep Option 1 which is to keep all current centres open and maintain the contract with Freedom Leisure.”

He has also launched a petition.

Conservative Councillor Iain McIntosh expressed outrage, saying: “This is a textbook case of political double-dealing. The Liberal Democrats are playing both sides, trying to present themselves as saviours of our leisure centres while their own Cabinet member is making decisions that jeopardise these facilities. It’s nothing more than a smokescreen to hide their true intentions.

 “The Liberal Democrats cannot have it both ways. If they truly care about Powys residents and our leisure facilities, they should be honest about the role they play in these decisions. This petition is nothing more than an attempt to distract from their own responsibility. The people of Powys deserve transparency, not political games.”

The Conservatives have also said that the real power to save these leisure centres lies in the hands of the Liberal Democrat Cabinet members themselves, not in empty petitions designed to deflect blame.

On the 29th of October, a spokesperson from Powys County Council told The Brecon and Radnor Express: “The council has been carrying out a review of leisure provision across the county but no decisions have been made about the future configuration of leisure centres.

“The council is facing financial pressures which is presenting us with a considerable gap in our finances. This means we can't afford to continue delivering our services in the same way. Given the challenges we're facing, every area of the council is under review.

“Our aim is to provide good-quality and sustainable leisure facilities that are accessible to all the residents of our county.

“Sustainable Powys is about working together to design a future, and also building resilience so community-led solutions can help meet local need. It is about being here for those who need support most.

“Our work is looking at the council's assets, the way we manage important services such as education, social care, leisure and transport.

“No decisions have been made, we are determined to work with our communities and the people of Powys in shaping future service delivery.”