WARRINGTON Borough Council has successfully brought leisure, libraries and lifestyle services provided by LiveWire back ‘in-house’ at a cost of more than £5m.
From today, Friday 1 March, the council has direct control over services that were previously provided by LiveWire CiC.
Cabinet member for leisure and community, Cllr Tony Higgins, said: “We have achieved a major milestone by bringing leisure, libraries and lifestyle services back into direct control of the council.
“While this is indeed a big moment for many reasons, we expect very little to change for the people who use our valuable leisure, libraries and lifestyle services. You’ll still be able to access the same facilities, and the LiveWire brand is here to stay. LiveWire staff have transferred to the council too, so you’ll still see the same friendly faces you’re used to seeing across LiveWire’s different services.
“In short, all of the normal facilities our communities have been accessing will continue to look and feel the same.
“We are fully committed to providing quality services that enrich and support our residents and communities. Bringing the services provided by LiveWire CiC back in-house underscores our dedication to that mission.”
The decision follows a difficult trading period for LiveWire following the COVID-19 pandemic and increased electric and gas prices, resulting in the council having to provide financial support.
In December last year the council’s Cabinet agreed to the insourcing of LiveWire at a cost of more than £5m stating that failure to do so would put services at risk.
1 Comment
Another example of how our council have wasted money outsourcing these services to a third party that were incompetent only to have to buy the contract back at a cost of 5 million pounds .
At the same time WBC have neglected Broomfield s Rec at Appleton which the 5 million they have spent buying back from Livewire could have been used towards the refurbishment of Broomfield s .