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SEVENTY-FIVE per cent of Charitable Trusts in England are at risk, ranging from those that are in crisis now to those that can see the crisis point on the horizon.
That’s the stark warning from Charitable Trust members’ association Community Leisure UK (CLUK), who said today that the number of trusts in crisis will only grow in the coming months as more and more trusts head into crises and take difficult decisions to close facilities and services.
CLUK members operate pools, gyms, theatres, libraries and parks and are calling for the UK Government to extend the energy price cap to cover public leisure and culture and give them more financial support.
Of the 56 Charitable Trusts in England interviewed in November, 21% said they are currently in discussions and planning around the impact of closures; in some instances, they include a significant number of venues. CLUK has 82 members in total in England.
Closures have already been announced by some Trusts, including Freedom Leisure, who has temporarily closed the pool at Rye Sports Centre, East Sussex to combat rising costs, while Richmondshire Leisure Trust say they can no longer run Colburn Leisure Centre, North Yorkshire due to significant rises in operating costs.
Phil Rumbelow, Chair of Community Leisure UK, said their latest survey showed the “first wave” of closures was inevitable, with more to follow as those at risk and heading towards crises entered into crises.
He said: “75% of our members in England are at risk, ranging from those that are in crisis now to those that can see the crisis point on the horizon.
“Many are now making tough decisions, including closing buildings and making redundancies.
“This is the first wave of what is expected to be a long period of uncertainty and crises for our members due to rising energy prices and the cost of living crisis.
“The majority of Trusts currently at risk will move into crisis within the next twelve months. April and October 2023 are cited as critical points for members due to energy contracts ending, increases in staff wages for the new financial year and local authority funding decisions.”
“Charitable Trusts make a valuable contribution to helping improve the health and wellbeing of communities. The Government must recognise them as a vulnerable sector, and we encourage local authority partners to be more flexible with their contracts.”
The survey also found:
Trusts across England have already enacted many mitigating measures to try and offset the increase in their outgoings, including raising prices and being more energy efficient.
Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, added: “There is an urgent need to support public leisure and culture to ensure that these services are protected and able to continue their vital work supporting the health and wellbeing of communities across England. They are no longer sustainable, and the situation will only get worse.”
Community Leisure UK is calling for:
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