Campaigners address councillors over privatisation

Campaigners against the privatisation of leisure centres in Dudley are set to lobby councillors ahead of a crunch vote.

They will address councillors on Monday afternoon after submitting a 5,000-signature petition to run the centres for the "benefit of the communities".

Supporting the cause are Labour MPs Cat Eccles, Alex Ballinger and Sonia Kumar, who have brought forward a motion to keep them open and in public control.

A joint statement said: "We must protect these important services and not create barriers, so everyone in Dudley has the option to go to their local centre."

Dudley Council's leader Patrick Harley previously said: "We know the important role our leisure service has in our community, but the council needs to make financial savings so is exploring options to reduce the amount of money currently used to subsidise the service.

"The centres will continue to offer the vast range of services and facilities throughout the process and beyond."

The petition was submitted to Dudley Council in February.

Campaigners have raised concerns that privatisation could bring higher prices for users, lower pay and reduced conditions for staff.

It could also end free swimming in Dudley, they said.

A statement from Eccles, Ballinger and Kumar continued: "Leisure centres have become integral to our communities, providing fantastic health and wellbeing outcomes for people of all ages.

"The biggest concern about privatisation is that it threatens how affordable and accessible they are."

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