West Lothian Leisure granted more than £2m by council

West Lothian Council has agreed to provide more than £2 million in funding for its arm’s length West Lothian Leisure trust for the next year.
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The agreement at this month’s Executive comes after a turbulent year which saw the closure of swimming pools and the transfer of the Howden Park Centre arts to another operator.

Now the trust says that, despite ongoing financial challenges, there has been an “encouraging uplift” in the use of its Xcite gym and pool facilities.

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Patrick Welsh, the interim finance director, told a meeting of the executive: “The 2024/25 WLL management fee is £2.048 million and is the fee paid to WLL for the provision of sports and leisure services within West Lothian in accordance with the Service Agreement.”

More than 2000 youngsters moved to new venues to continue swimming lessons and only one hour of club swim training has been lost weekly.More than 2000 youngsters moved to new venues to continue swimming lessons and only one hour of club swim training has been lost weekly.
More than 2000 youngsters moved to new venues to continue swimming lessons and only one hour of club swim training has been lost weekly.

Mr Welsh said the predicted year end financial balance of £1.8m represented an improved position on last year.

He added: “The council has a strong working relationship with West Lothian Leisure and will continue to work closely with them on managing through the financial challenges being faced by both bodies.”

Independent Councillor Andrew McGuire told the meeting: “I’m encouraged to hear that the functional position has improved at West Lothian Leisure. They have taken some mighty difficult decisions and it seems the green shoots of recovery are there.”

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Chairing the meeting, council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “It does seem to be moving forward.”

Teenage gym membership package, Fitness Factory, saw a 268 per cent rise in gym inductions.Teenage gym membership package, Fitness Factory, saw a 268 per cent rise in gym inductions.
Teenage gym membership package, Fitness Factory, saw a 268 per cent rise in gym inductions.

West Lothian Leisure is tackling a £2.95m funding gap as a result of funding cuts by West Lothian Council; post-pandemic cost pressures; the rising cost of running facilities – energy costs up by 44 per cent; and the cost of future maintenance or refurbishment.

The charity is facing a five-year phased reduction in financial support from West Lothian Council, with an expectation that it will ultimately become self-funding.

The trust revealed improved usage figures last month saying there had been a 16 per cent increase in the previous four months – equating to 93,000 additional visits – despite three fewer venues.

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A new teenage gym membership package, Fitness Factory, brought a 268 per cent rise in gym inductions – 3,523 appointments and more than 2000 youngsters moved to new venues to continue swimming lessons.

Ben Lamb, West Lothian Leisure chief executive, said the data shows what can be achieved despite a much-reduced budget and mounting economic pressures, forcing closure of three venues last summer.

He added: “Our purpose is to provide health and well-being services for the region, so I am heartened by this latest data which reveals increases in customer attendance. I would like to pay tribute to them for their support and patience. The figures are also testament to the resilience and commitment of our staff to make every penny count on behalf of our customers.

“We remain committed to evolving as an organisation, investing and growing our offering to deliver even better facilities and services for our communities. This is our long-term commitment to the people of West Lothian.”

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West Lothian Leisure collaborates with West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership to use physical activity to complement, or as an alternative to, more traditional treatments. Patients are referred by their GP, link worker or other health professionals.

Mr Lamb added: “Despite the challenging economic climate, we are delivering many more health programme visits – up 40 per cent compared to 2021-2022.

“This is a key focus area as we can clearly see the enormous benefits of improved physical and mental health, not least in reducing the burden on the NHS.”

The trust also revealed that only one hour of club swim training had been lost from weekly schedules – despite the closure of two training venues – thanks to clubs’ willingness to work in partnership.

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The trust’s contribution to health and well-being has been acknowledged by one of Scotland’s leading physical activity referral experts at Edinburgh Napier University.

Dr Coral Hanson, senior research fellow at the Centre for Cardiovascular Health at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “West Lothian Leisure delivers health programmes that help people in their area to be more active. This includes physical activity referrals from healthcare and social care professionals to specialist leisure trust staff.

“Residents can discuss activities they might like to try, set goals and be supported to use the leisure facilities.

“The charity is keen to innovate and has been testing a text message support intervention as an addition to its physical activity referral programme.”

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