Council’s outdoor activity centres service set for revamp

PROPOSALS that could see a revamp of services at council-owned residential outdoor activity centres on Gower are set to go before Cabinet this week.

Swansea Council’s Gower Activity Centres play host to visits from local schools and large groups from further afield wanting an educational adventure holiday in the area.

And now a review of the service is recommending the appointment of a new manager to lead a new generation service which will focus resources on activities at Rhossili and Borfa.

Cllr Christine Richards, Cabinet Member for Services for Children and Young People, said: “Supporting children and young people to achieve their full potential is one of the council’s top priorities and often the experiences they enjoy at our Gower Outdoor Activity Centres are lessons which stay with them for life.

“That’s why, despite the financial challenges the council faces, we remain determined to ensure that the service can continue in a sustainable way so that generations of young people can benefit for years to come.”

A report to Cabinet shows that, in its current form, the service is losing almost £150,000 a year. On top of that the facilities at the third centre at Dan-y-Coed in West Cross are in urgent need of improvement.

In the current financial climate where the council is having to make savings of up to £100m in the next few years, the council cannot afford to continue the service as it is.

Staff based at the Gower Outdoor Activity Centres have worked hard to reduce costs with some success and have fully participated in the review process.

Cllr Richards said: “The review has shown the most effective way to ensure children and young people continue to receive the service is to focus our attention on Rhossili and Borfa under the leadership of a new manager. Their role will be to drive the service forward providing the right offer, tap into new markets and ensure it is competitive in a challenging marketplace.”

The commissioning review on the future of the Gower Outdoor Activity Centres is going to Cabinet on October 15. It is the culmination of an in-depth examination of the service involving staff, trade unions and comparisons with other local authority providers.

If the recommendation is approved, Dan-y-Coed will be closed but not before July, 2016. Bookings taken for the period up to July will be honoured.

Local schools who use the service are being kept updated and if the proposal is approved there will be further discussions with staff about the long-term future. Full consultation with staff and unions will begin soon.