Uckfield Leisure Centre

16 March 2023

Question:

Dear Councillor Newton,

Why is Wealden District Council even considering the closure of Uckfield Leisure Centre?

This is a vital community asset and many residents  – in a large and expanding town – rely on its facilities. Many would not be able to access Crowborough or Hailsham.

We all know money is tight, but if it is not the function of the council to provide such basic services, what is it for?

We are constantly told we need to exercise more, so this is just bizarre. A healthier society will cost us all less, so you should be encouraging activity not erecting barriers.

Hatty Philips

Answer:

Dear Hatty Philips,

Thank you for your question.

Following a comprehensive district-wide leisure provision review, in October 2020 Wealden resolved to hand back the dual use leisure centre in Uckfield to East Sussex County Council at the end of its lease, in large part to remove a layer of bureaucracy in the operation of the centre that is predominantly run to serve the school to which it is attached.

Following the uncertainty caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, in order to assist with an orderly transition back to ESCC, the lease was extended at Uckfield for a further year up to July 2023.

ESCC continues to look at the future options for the site post July 2023, with a public consultation due to launch soon. We would encourage the public to take part in this consultation.

Leisure provision is a priority for WDC across the district, the work continues in regard to the Community Sports Hub which will serve the whole district, along with looking a future options at Crowborough Pool.