Council leaders are to consider a plan for the two Lakeland outdoor education centres that could secure their future for the borough’s schoolchildren for years to come.
The twin centres of Low Bank Ground and Hinning House have provided generations of children and young people from Wigan Borough the chance to enjoy the great outdoors in the magnificent setting of the Lake District.
The running of the centres has been subsided by the authority to the tune of nearly £200,000 per year, but increasing pressure on council budgets from central government has prompted education chiefs to look long and hard at the future for the centres.
The authority has managed to reduce its outlay on the centres by nearly £40,000 this year by reducing running costs and generating an increased income.
However, the council must reduce its budgets by £66M over the next four years and the cabinet has pledged to protect those vital front-line services that people in the borough rely on.
Officers have looked into all options for the future of the two sites, including closing them and selling them off but are not recommending them as the way forward for the council.
A clear recommendation will go before Cabinet on Thursday January 26, which outlines a way forward that would keep the centres open and eliminate the costs incurred to the authority.
Wigan Council’s Executive Director of People, Nick Hudson, explains: “The council recognises how valuable these centres are and as a result we have looked at every option for their future. Given the current economic climate it is unfortunately not possible to continue to subsidise the centres to the same extent as before but we believe we have provided a viable solution.
“We have looked at the possibility of leasing the centres to an organisation which specialises in outdoor education with young people and after an extensive tendering process we believe we have found a suitable candidate.” The report states that young people’s charity Brathay Trust has been identified as a suitable organisation to take over the running of the two centres.
Brathay is based in the Lake District but also has a centre at Wigan Investment Centre. It specialises in engaging and inspiring young people through a range of projects, including creative, outdoor and environmental activities.
Under the proposal Brathay would lease the centre for a seven-year period from the council and would retain the existing members of staff. As part of the contract Brathay would also take responsibility for the full repair and maintenance of the buildings.
The plans stipulate that the centres must still be available for Wigan families if leased by the organisation.
The report recommends cabinet members approve this proposal, which would allow officers to enter formal contractual negotiations with Brathay.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Susan Loudon, says: “When faced with every increasing pressure on our resources the easy option would be to close these centres and sell them off. Indeed this is a route that many local authorities have gone down. But in Wigan we recognise the importance and value of all our assets, and that these centres are in fact a vital frontline service which have a positive impact on the life and wellbeing of our borough.
“We know that Low Bank Ground and Hinning House hold a special place in the hearts of many people from Wigan and for many a young person a trip to either one will be their first real taste of the outdoor life.
“It is for these reasons and many others that Cabinet members asked council officers to find the right solution to secure the future of these two centres and help guarantee many years of enjoyment and adventure for children and young people from our borough. If Cabinet members agree to these recommendations we will have found a good solution to a difficult problem.”
