Update 5th October 2010: see latest Avondale and Peel Moat news here.

Following Stockport Council’s procedures, the decision to close Avondale leisure centre has been referred back to the Executive.  Everyone’s agreed that they need to think again.

Around a hundred members of the public attended the Scrutiny meeting this evening where the decision was made.

Cllr Wendy Meikle, Chair of E&E Scrutiny said:

“Could I first welcome everybody to this evening’s Scrutiny Committee and for participating in the call-in process. I would like particularly like to thank those members of the public who have made the effort to be here tonight. Before the meeting starts can I make it clear that I intend to recommend to the Scrutiny Committee that the matter of the closures of Avondale and Peel Moat Leisure Centres be referred back to the Executive for further consideration. My reasons for doing so are that I believe that, whilst it is not statutorily required, until such time as an equality impact assessment is undertaken I would not be comfortable with agreeing to these closures.”

Cllr John Smith, Executive member for Leisure, was then invited to speak.

“I too would like to welcome all of the members of the public who have come to Scrutiny Committee this evening. I think it is a great credit to you all that you have taken out the time to come here tonight. It can often be the case that politicians who have to make difficult decisions are accused of not listening to the public. I know that many of you in this room will feel that we have not listened to you. Over the last few weeks I have had conversations with many people about the closure proposals and I have to admit that I have been genuinely surprised by the strength of feeling.

We are often accused of not listening but I can say to you that I am listening. I accept that we should have consulted before announcing the closure and I am therefore going to initiate a full consultation programme with users of Avondale and Peel Moat leisure centres. I have asked Ged Lucas, the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Communities, Regeneration and Environment, to assume personal responsibility for ensuring that this consultation is undertaken speedily but comprehensively.”

So the closure of Avondale has been put on hold. There will be a public consultation and further investigations before the final decision is made.