Protest Before Vote Ends Leisure Centre Outsourcing Plan in Dudley

People protested the outsourcing of Dudley leisure centers. The council voted on the centers’ future, and protestors celebrated a crucial vote win. The vote concerned leisure centers across the borough in Stourbridge, Dudley, and Halesowen. The Conservative group wanted to outsource these centers.

Councilors voted to keep the centers under council control. The vote occurred on March 3 at a council meeting. Trade unionists, Labour, and Lib Dem councilors gathered before the meeting on the council house steps. They demanded the end of the outsourcing plan there.

Pete Lowe is the Dudley Labour leader. He told protestors to keep hands off leisure centers. He stated they wanted the council to retain them. Lowe firmly believes public services belong in public hands, and Cat Eccles, the Stourbridge MP and a Labour member, also supports the campaign.

Eccles reported the council will keep centers open five years. The format of operation remains unclear right now, and people worry about potential job losses. Contracts might change under private ownership. She wants to protect jobs and local services.

The council debated a petition with 5,000 names. Ellen Cobb proposed ending the tendering process. She wants the council to retain public control. Phil Atkins said they can’t afford £2.4m in subsidies, so they are exploring cost-cutting while keeping centers open.

Atkins said they are not selling leisure centers now. Outsourcing gets considered only for financial benefit. He added the bidding process already finished, and officers will review submitted bids soon. The motion passed after the debate, but the fight continues at cabinet meetings. The full council must approve their final decision.