(1) That, following the successful completion of RIBA stage 2 for Sale Leisure Centre, and an independent review of the income and expenditure, approval be given to the continuation with the proposed capital investment into the design of the refurbishment up to the end of RIBA Stage 3 at a cost of up to £300k.

(2) That it be noted that the outcomes of the RIBA Stage 3 report for Altrincham Leisure Centre will be presented to the Executive in July 2022.

(3) That it be noted that, in parallel a full business case review will be undertaken for Stretford Leisure Centre and will be presented to the July 2022 Executive for approval to proceed to RIBA Stage 3.

Leisure Centres help support the health and wellbeing of the general population helping people to live longer and in better health. In turn, reducing the growing burden upon the health and social care system. Trafford has a declining leisure asset, which is leading to a loss of market share by Trafford Leisure and will also negatively impact on the ability to recover usage back to at least pre-COVID levels. The Council is currently subsiding Trafford Leisure losses from its revenue resources, estimated to be £1.5m+ in 2022/23. This is expected to rise as the assets decline. With the facilities in decline the strategic importance of this to the Council’s aims and corporate priorities is paramount.

Do nothing - would mean ultimate closure of the leisure centres as usage continues to decline due to the extremely poor condition of the existing facilities. During the decline the Council will incur increasing annual revenue costs to subsidise Trafford Leisure CIC as a going concern over several years and will still need to undertake significant essential health and safety capital works during the same period.  Strategic outcomes will not be delivered, and this option would directly impact on the council’s ability to directly address health inequalities and climate crisis. Or undertake short term ongoing maintenance works with associated costs required to ensure the centres can remain open. However, this would not drive key outcomes such as health and wellbeing or provide a revenue opportunity but would provide some maintenance cover for a zero-to-five-year lifespan. This has the same financial pressures as above and would lead to ultimate closure as capital and revenue costs escalate. Or rationalise the leisure centre estate to reduce the cost of the redevelopments, and ongoing maintenance as well as release capital to fund the redevelopments.