In Merthyr Tydfil, the debate over who should run the town’s leisure services continues to heat up! With the past collapse of the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust still fresh in minds, Councillor Jamie Scriven insists, “We can’t end up in the situation we were before. It’s just not acceptable.” This comes as the council has backed plans to keep outsourcing the management of leisure services to pros like Halo Leisure.
Previously, the council had to make a quick switch to Halo after the trust’s administration in 2023. Now, after weighing the pros and cons of bringing management back in-house versus outsourcing, it’s clear that maintaining the current course could be the most efficient route. Amongst the perks of outsourcing cited are expertise, cost savings, and strong customer satisfaction, all aligning with public health goals. On the other hand, insourcing supposedly offers closer control and bigger transparency but comes with hefty costs and risks.
Council leader Brent Carter reflects, “We always wanted to bring leisure services back into local control, but sometimes you need to choose what’s best for the community and, frankly, keeping it outsourced seems to be it right now.” Backing this, Councillor Anna Williams-Price stresses that, while ideally they’d love the services to be council-run, current financial constraints just won’t allow it.
Not everyone is on the same page. Councillor Geraint Thomas is sceptical, noting, “Given Halo’s improvements, it’s ironic we’re now leaning on private sector solutions. Questions about policy decisions remain.”
For now, the council plans a full procurement exercise to find a suitable long-term provider, which will take around 15-18 months. They’ll also extend Halo’s interim contract until things are finalised. Keeping everyone informed and confident in the services they rely on is key, leaders say. So, what do you think? Is outsourcing the way forward or should Merthyr bring things back home? Let’s hear your thoughts!