Leisure centres to come back under council control

Haringey residents are set to benefit from better and more joined up health and wellbeing provision with the news that all leisure centres in the borough will be coming back under direct council control.

The council is setting out plans, approved by cabinet on Tuesday, which will insource management of the three centres currently overseen by Fusion Lifestyle: Tottenham Green Pools and Fitness, Park Road Pools and Fitness, and Broadwater Farm Community Fitness Centre.

This follows the decision announced in October to terminate Fusion Lifestyle’s contract with the council. Following a 12-month contractual notice period, the council plans to take control of the three centres no later than 2 October 2024.

Bringing the centres back under council management will form part of the council’s ambitious plans to provide a comprehensive health and wellbeing service, providing health and fitness services and activities in settings across the borough to address the serious health issues and inequalities affecting our communities.

Leader of the Council Cllr Peray Ahmet and Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Leisure Cllr Emily Arkell said:

“We are delighted to announce that we will be taking back control of these three leisure centres, which provide vital access to fitness and wellbeing facilities for residents across the borough.

“We believe that the best way to deliver these services is through a public ownership model which puts democratic accountability at the heart of service provision, ensuring that these centres meet and are responsive to the diverse needs of Haringey residents.

“This move will allow us to move forward with our ambitious plans to offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing service, supporting residents to live active and healthy lives. It will also build on our experience of bringing New River Sport and Fitness back inhouse two years ago, which has led to higher membership numbers and more inclusive services.

“We know that this will not all be smooth sailing. There will be logistical challenges and financial pressures to overcome throughout the transition, however we remain convinced that this is the best option for delivering high quality leisure services in Haringey, and we look forward to working together with our communities to make this vision a reality.”

Another of the borough’s leisure centres, New River Sport and Fitness, was brought back under direct control of the council in August 2021. Since then, users have benefited from better and more inclusive services, whilst the financial viability of the centre has been improved.

Fusion’s Haringey-based employees will be safeguarded at the time of transfer under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations, otherwise known as ‘TUPE’.