Flintshire council strikes new agreement with Aura Wales

FLINTSHIRE Council looks set to strike a new long-term agreement with a charitable organisation which provides leisure services on its behalf.
It comes despite the local authority recently being in dispute with Aura Wales, which has managed most leisure centres, libraries, museums and play areas in the county since 2017.
It was previously reported that officials were considering withdrawing financial support when the council’s contract with the employee-owned company ended on March 31.
Aura’s chief executive Mike Welch hit out at the situation at the time, claiming in a letter it had caused “significant stress” for the company’s 250-plus staff.
While a short-term funding deal was later rubber-stamped, a leaked report revealed a significant deterioration in relations between the two parties.
However, Flintshire Council and Aura Leisure and Libraries Ltd have now agreed in principle the basis for a further extended arrangement.
It follows lengthy discussions between the council and Aura, with further detailed work to be progressed over the next few months.
Labour council leader Ian Roberts, said: “We recognise and appreciate the local services that Aura has provided since 2017 and I am pleased to note that following further discussions we have reached this position.
“I hope we can provide confidence to residents and Aura employees on the future of these services in the coming months.”
To allow time to develop the longer-term arrangements, and carry out associated work, two further new short-term agreements have been signed by the council and Aura.
The authority was previously understood to be looking at bringing the running of some services provided by Aura back in-house, whilst exploring an “alternative delivery model” for leisure centres.
However, members of a backbench scrutiny committee urged the ruling administration to seek a fresh agreement with the organisation during a meeting in May.
The council said further updates would be provided on the new deal in the near future.

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter