**On 9th November, Holmes Chapel Parish Council represented by Cllr Brian Bath, attended the CEC Environment and Communities Committee, to share our strong concerns about the proposals laid out in the Strategic Leisure Review. This review was proposing the closure of the Holmes Chapel Leisure Centre and 3 others. The Committee needed to decided whether or not to go to to public consultation on those proposals.
There was a lot of debate, with CEC Councillors questioning and challenging the figures in the report and the matrix used to work those calculations out.
The conclusion was that the Committee agreed to go to public consultation but in a revised more broader sense and not on the proposals shared in the initial report. Apparently this will allow them to engage with a broad range of stakeholders. We don’t know yet what the consultation will look like or the questions that will be asked. We will, however, keep a close eye on these developments and will ensure the consultation is shared once it is made available. The minutes from that Committee meeting will be available in due course on the Cheshire East website and these will provide more clarity and detail on what was finally agreed. Click the following link to access the relevant web page: Browse meetings - Environment and Communities Committee | Cheshire East Council
Our Amenities Committee is meeting on 16th November at 7pm in the Holmes Chapel Community Centre to discuss any actions the Parish Council needs to take in the interim whilst we wait for the consultation. Residents are always welcome to attend these meetings and the agenda can be found on our website using the following link:
The Parish Council is deeply concerned about the recent report published by Cheshire East Council which includes proposals to withdraw funding for the Holmes Chapel Leisure Centre which could lead to its closure in April 2024. (Note this does not include the Holmes Chapel Community Centre)
It also includes proposals to close the leisure centres in Middlewich, Knutsford and Poynton.
This will be discussed at the CEC Environment and Communities Committee next Thursday 9th November at 10am. A representative from the Parish Council will be attending to share our initial concerns about these proposals.
We will provide a further update after that meeting once it is clear what Cheshire East Council will be consulting on.
More information can be found in the committee papers here:
CEC's press release can be read here:
An open letter to CEC from Everybody Health & Leisure can be read here:
Stock images (pixabay.com)
