What plans does the Welsh Government have to provide additional support to local authorities to maintain leisure centres and swimming pools?
Local authorities are democratically elected bodies with responsibility for their local areas, and are therefore best placed to manage and organise services in line with local needs and priorities and within their confirmed budget.
As part of their decision making, local authorities should be mindful of their public sector equality duties and consider the impact of their decisions. They also need to consider their duties under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. These provide a parcel of considerations to help local authorities to make reasoned decisions.
As a Government, we are committed to work closely with local authorities to support the availability of provision and have already commissioned a national audit of sporting facilities which will provide an important evidence base for understanding the condition, accessibility and distribution of facilities across Wales, including leisure centres and swimming pools. The audit will help identify current gaps in provision and future investment needs.