Council anger over lack of Sandy sports talks

The council has been trying to organise a meeting with Central Bedfordshire Council and Stevenage Leisure Ltd, (SLL) after fears for the Engayne Avenue centre’s future were raised in September.

Central Bedfordshire Council then announced talks have been paused to allow a public consultation on leisure services in Sandy.

Sandy Town Council had offered to host a round table meeting with a view to obtaining understanding of the issues and how to secure the future of the site.

At a meeting of Sandy Town Council on 10 December, members were informed that CBC had declined the offer of a meeting of all parties at this stage.

In a statement STC said: “CBC have informed the Town Council that the Sandy Secondary School facilities remain an important part of the CBC’s leisure provision and forms part of its leisure strategy.

“CBC further indicated that it has been agreed with their leisure provider that no changes to the Sandy leisure centre will be made in the foreseeable future. A strategic review to understand the wider needs for leisure in the area and assess the demand for sports facilities across Central Bedfordshire, including the Sandy area, is to be carried out.

“Members of STC feel they have a responsibility to be involved at the centre of any discussions about the future of leisure and sport provision within our town and alongside Central Bedfordshire Ward Members, will continue to push for improved communication and greater involvement. In the meantime Sandy Town Council would encourage residents of Sandy to continue to make full use of these valuable facilities.”