THE future of Trafford’s leisure centres is in ‘jeopardy’, after the trust responsible for their operation pulled out of its contract with the council, it has been claimed.

Trafford Community Leisure Trust, who have run leisure centres in the borough for 12 years, have withdrawn from their partnership with Trafford Council, after the authority cut their subsidy for Leisure Services by £451,000 in the 2015/16 budget.

A spokesman for the trust said they’d also been unable to meet the estimated £20-25 million cost of modernising Trafford’s leisure facilities over the coming years.

They added that leisure centre staff jobs would be transferred to the new operator when one was found.

Chair of the Trust, Peter Martin, said: “It is a sad day for the trust as we have been very proud of what we have achieved over the past 12 years, particularly in increasing participation from 800,000 in the first year in which we operated to 2.5 million in recent years, making Trafford one of the most active boroughs in the UK.

“However as a small charity, the trust was not in a position to find the level of capital required to complete the outstanding council maintenance liabilities and to invest in the development of centres, whilst trying to run a sustainable business with rising costs.”

The trust has agreed to run services for another six months, during which time the council hopes to find another partner to run services.

Opponents to the subsidy cut have contrasted the move with the council’s recent £4 million loan for Lancashire Cricket Club’s proposed Hilton Hotel development.

Leader of the Labour Group, Andrew Western described the withdrawl of the trust as ‘devastating news for the people of Trafford’.

He added: “Cutting the support funding and pulling the plug on the partnership which has been such a success for our residents over the last 12 years puts the future of our leisure centres and golf courses in jeopardy. The future of all our leisure centres is now uncertain.

“What the Tories do not seem to understand is that illnesses attributed to poor fitness levels will cost the NHS so much more than the financial contribution this Tory council makes.”

Leader of Trafford Council, Sean Anstee, said: “'Trafford Conservatives have a clear plan to secure a stronger borough for all residents and have set out positive vision for the future.

“The decision, taken by Trafford Community Leisure Trust, to end their partnership with the council is disappointing.

“Unlike Labour, who only have political self interest at heart, we will now use the opportunity to bring forward a new offering for sports, culture and leisure for Trafford residents in the coming months, during which time leisure centres will continue to operate business as usual.”

Theresa Grant, chief executive at Trafford council, said: “Unfortunately, the trust were unable to find the funds to move this contract forward, despite the council's offer to inject capital investment into the centres, therefore the council will now need to look at its options.

“The council will be working closely with the trust in the coming months and they have promised their insight, advice and experience to support us throughout this process.”