Leisure performing well

West Lothian Leisure is battling back to full fitness after a challenging times in the pool and gym, according to new evidence.

Speaking after a private meeting of West Lothian Leisure Advisory Committee a council spokesman said: “Committee members heard how West Lothian Leisure is performing well in areas such as customer satisfaction, concessionary visits and NHS referrals, which are all performing better than targets.”

The council’s gyms and pools – rebranded under the Xcite banner when West Lothian Leisure was formed in 1998 – have struggled against commercial operators but in spite of that it looks as if things are slowly turning in their favour.

There is growing traffic on their Facebook and other social media sites and bookings apps.

Visitor numbers fell during the good summer weather but committee members heard that membership incomes have increased and savings on the depreciation of gym equipment have both helped deliver this surplus.

Budgets will to be closely monitored for potential pressures over the remainder of the financial year. West Lothian Leisure is preparing a revised long-term financial plan, with risks already identified for future years.

The spokesman added: “A further report to the WLLAC into the financial position of West Lothian Leisure showed the charity is predicting a small surplus for 2018/ 19. This is reliant on one- off additional funding from the council, the rephasing of future management fees and agreed savings targets being achieved.”