Council urged to hold leisure company sale debate in public

SOME MEMBERS VOICING ‘MAJOR CONCERNS’ON MOVE BUT AUTHORITY SAYS CRITICAL COMMENTS ARE ‘UNFORTUNATE AND MISINFORMED’

- By RICHARD EVANS Local Democracy Reporter

DENBIGHSHIRE Council has been urged to carry out discussions on the sale of its leisure company in public.

The council voted in favour of selling Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL) during a behind-closed-doors meeting last month.

Following the decision, Cllr Gwyneth Ellis resigned from the council’s cabinet, stating that she had major concerns about the proposed sale.

She felt there had been a lack of information about future growth, the shareholdings for staff, the loss of control of leisure services, and the privatisation of the company.

Backbench Rhyl councillor Brian Jones has also expressed concerns about the proposal, claiming he “couldn't see anything” residents would get out of the plan.

Denbighshire Council argues the plan will save money and “safeguard services” for the future.

DLL said “a number of briefings were held with councillors” and said Cllr Jones’ comments were “unfortunate and misinformed”.

Cllr Ellis has called for more transparency during the process.