Arts and sports trust set to fold
A CASH-strapped trust that operates a number of County Durham facilities is expected to become defunct in April.
Derwentside Trust for Sport and the Art, which trades as Leisureworks, has been struggling to operate due to cuts in Government funding.
Durham County Council will step in to take over the running of Consett Leisure Centre, the Louisa Centre in Stanley, the Empire Theatre in Consett and other facilities run by the trust.
The services are expected to be transferred over on April 1.
Councillor Ossie Johnson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for tourism, culture, leisure and rural issues, said: “We have been working alongside Derwentside Trust for Sports and Arts (Leisureworks) for some time to look at ways in which they can continue to operate services on reduced funding, due to the Government funding reductions.
“Following extensive consideration, both parties have agreed that the best option would be for the council to take services back inhouse.”
Cllr Johnson said this would mean all services provided by the trust will be transferred over to the local authority.
He added: “This approach would allow us to provide more cost-effective services and it is hoped will enable greater sustainability of services for residents, despite challenging financial times.
“We are working towards a possible transfer date of April 1, although an exact date will become clear closer to the time.
“We very much hope there will be minimal interruption to residents and users during this transfer.”
The trust was set up in 2007 when the leisure division of the local authority, known as Derwentside Leisure Services, merged with the districts existing Leisure Trust, Derwentside Leisure.
Together they formed the current trust.