Cllr Helen Chuah, Mayor of Colchester joins Colchesters sporting Champions Louis Persent, Martin Evans and Daniel and Dominic King to announce the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route. Pictured with Mp for Colchester Bob Russell, Cllr Anne Turrell and Cllr Tina Dopson

Colchester: Council seeks to save £6million

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Proposals under Colchester Borough Council’s Fundamental Service Review will see self-service counters and internet booking introduced at Leisure World, while some tennis courts in Shrub End could be sold off to developers.

A number of job cuts are also set to be announced but the Council said it could not confirm how many employees would be affected.

The Sport and Leisure Service also includes Leisure World Tiptree, Leisure World Highwoods, Leisure World Tennis Centre, and Sports Development. It employs around 400 people.

Last year the council spent £5.1million on running the service but only earnt £4.3million. The remaining £804,000 was subsidised by the taxpayer.

Tina Dopson portfolio holder for communities said the council wanted to reduce that subsidy to zero.

As part of the plans to help achieve this, £1.6million will be invested in Leisure World Colchester to improve services and help drive up profit in the long-term.

The council had considered handing over Leisure World to a trust to run but the idea has since been scrapped as it would not save the council enough money.

However, Colchester Tennis Centre could still be leased to a private company.

Mrs Dopson said: “The efficiencies and changes proposed will help the Sport and Leisure Service deliver an innovative and insightful customer service, bringing the customer in touch with high quality technology and services.

“The resulting financial benefits outlined in these proposals will also put the Sport and Leisure Service and the Council is good stead for the future

“Whilst a small number of job roles within the service may no longer exist, potential job losses will be kept to a minimum. Affected staff will be fully consulted on any changes to staffing structures as well as any changes to contractual terms for existing posts.”

A final decision on the changes will be made by the Council’s Cabinet members on March 14.