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23/06/2017
Call For Council To End Contract With GLL
Unite the union is calling on Belfast City Council to cease its contract with Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) after leaked plans revealed there may be further cuts to staff.
The future of leisure centres in Shankill, Loughside and Whiterock are believed to be all under the radar.
GLL in London signed a contract to manage the leisure centres in 2014.
Unite Regional Officer, Michael Keenan, called on the Council to bring back all leisure centres into municipal management.
He said: "Leaked plans by outsourced management company GLL which are being disclosed by Unite in the public interest show that they are not happy with 'savings' from staff cuts, a two-tier workforce and closure of services but are now considering the outright closure of a number of leisure centres across the city.
"The document confirms discussions between GLL and Belfast City Council officials are ongoing for a community-asset transfer of Whiterock Leisure centre to unspecified community groups. Unite is hugely concerned that this has been advanced with little to no community engagement or dialogue. Across the UK such community-asset transfers have left community groups struggling with inadequate funding to sustain amenities and left to 'carry the can' when they inevitably close – when the real blame should fall at the feet of the public authorities themselves.
"The plans also detail more advanced discussions between GLL and Belfast City Council officials on the closure of Loughside although again there has been no consultation with the local community in the Shore Road area. The document admits that the closure would be 'extremely political' and recommends a strategy of exploring 'opportunities' for reducing opening hours in the interim.
"There is clearly a hidden agenda to close leisure facilities and amenities in Belfast – all in order to deliver on the Council's austerity budget. The interests of users, the local communities and the staff appear nowhere in such Machiavellian machinations."
(CD/LM)
The future of leisure centres in Shankill, Loughside and Whiterock are believed to be all under the radar.
GLL in London signed a contract to manage the leisure centres in 2014.
Unite Regional Officer, Michael Keenan, called on the Council to bring back all leisure centres into municipal management.
He said: "Leaked plans by outsourced management company GLL which are being disclosed by Unite in the public interest show that they are not happy with 'savings' from staff cuts, a two-tier workforce and closure of services but are now considering the outright closure of a number of leisure centres across the city.
"The document confirms discussions between GLL and Belfast City Council officials are ongoing for a community-asset transfer of Whiterock Leisure centre to unspecified community groups. Unite is hugely concerned that this has been advanced with little to no community engagement or dialogue. Across the UK such community-asset transfers have left community groups struggling with inadequate funding to sustain amenities and left to 'carry the can' when they inevitably close – when the real blame should fall at the feet of the public authorities themselves.
"The plans also detail more advanced discussions between GLL and Belfast City Council officials on the closure of Loughside although again there has been no consultation with the local community in the Shore Road area. The document admits that the closure would be 'extremely political' and recommends a strategy of exploring 'opportunities' for reducing opening hours in the interim.
"There is clearly a hidden agenda to close leisure facilities and amenities in Belfast – all in order to deliver on the Council's austerity budget. The interests of users, the local communities and the staff appear nowhere in such Machiavellian machinations."
(CD/LM)
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Management firm Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is planning to close the pool in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast, according to Unite the union. Unite Regional Officer, Michael Keenan, has called on Belfast City Council to put an end to threats hanging over pools at both the Shankill and Ballysillan Leisure Centres.
GLL Plans To Close Pool at Shankill Leisure Centre - Union
Management firm Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is planning to close the pool in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast, according to Unite the union. Unite Regional Officer, Michael Keenan, has called on Belfast City Council to put an end to threats hanging over pools at both the Shankill and Ballysillan Leisure Centres.
16 September 2016
Consultations Announced For Belfast Leisure Centre Redevelopment Plans
Consultation events have been announced by Belfast City Council on proposed designs for a number of leisure centre transformations across Belfast. The council is to invest £105 million in a Leisure Transformation Programme (LTP), to be developed over the next 10 years.
Consultations Announced For Belfast Leisure Centre Redevelopment Plans
Consultation events have been announced by Belfast City Council on proposed designs for a number of leisure centre transformations across Belfast. The council is to invest £105 million in a Leisure Transformation Programme (LTP), to be developed over the next 10 years.
19 July 2023
Better Leisure Centres To Host Weekend Of Free Family Events
Belfast's Better leisure centres are set to host a series of free family activities to mark 30 years of GLL. Founded in 1993, GLL is the UK's largest public leisure and libraries co-operative and charitable social enterprise.
Better Leisure Centres To Host Weekend Of Free Family Events
Belfast's Better leisure centres are set to host a series of free family activities to mark 30 years of GLL. Founded in 1993, GLL is the UK's largest public leisure and libraries co-operative and charitable social enterprise.
07 August 2019
Three New Leisure Centres To Open In Belfast
A number of senior appointments have been made as preparations continue for the opening of three new council funded leisure centres in Belfast. The Brook, Andersonstown and Lisnasharragh Leisure Centres will open under the 'Better' brand name early next year, expanding the provision of social enterprise GLL across the city.
Three New Leisure Centres To Open In Belfast
A number of senior appointments have been made as preparations continue for the opening of three new council funded leisure centres in Belfast. The Brook, Andersonstown and Lisnasharragh Leisure Centres will open under the 'Better' brand name early next year, expanding the provision of social enterprise GLL across the city.
08 July 2019
Council Votes To Remove Material From Two Bonfires
A Belfast City Council committee has voted to take action to remove materials from two bonfires in the city. The decision was made at the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee in relation to a bonfire on council land at Avoniel Leisure Centre and at the Ashdale Street car park.
Council Votes To Remove Material From Two Bonfires
A Belfast City Council committee has voted to take action to remove materials from two bonfires in the city. The decision was made at the Strategic Policy & Resources Committee in relation to a bonfire on council land at Avoniel Leisure Centre and at the Ashdale Street car park.
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