WAVE ROLLS IN TO TAKE OVER LEISURE

LEWES District Council has turned its leisure services department into a charitable Trust.

Wave Leisure will now manage Lewes Leisure Centre; the Downs Leisure Centre, Seaford; Seahaven Swim and Fitness Centre; Peacehaven Leisure Centre, and Seaford Head Pool.

The Trust is a not-for-profit body.

Peter Crowley, managing director, said: 'Lewes District Council's financial position was becoming more and more difficult through reduced Government funding.

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'Funding a deficit for leisure as a non-statutory service required action from the council.

'A best value review considered the options and recommended the setting up of the Trust to make financial savings.

'The Trust is an independent company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. All revenues and surpluses will be used to develop and improve the service.

'The Trust is composed of the existing leisure team and the recruitment of specialists in finance, payroll and personnel.'

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The Trust's charitable objectives are to promote community participation in health and recreation.

Ongoing are the annual Seaford family fun day, health walks across three of the leisure facilities, exercise referral schemes, gymnastic clubs, a football school at the Downs, holiday schemes, a cinema at the Downs, the provision of swimming teaching and life saving skills, raising 440,000 for the replacement of the artificial pitch at the Downs and work to bring together funding for the replacement of Seaford Head Swimming Pool's roof.