Council bosses have pledged that an agreement signed this week will take culture and sport in Renfrewshire ‘to the next level.’
Renfrewshire Council and Renfrewshire Leisure have finalised arrangements for the trust to manage a wide range of culture and sports facilities and services.
Museums, town halls, libraries, sports pitches and services will now be managed by the trust.
Bowling greens and community facilities will come under the trust’s management from 1st December 2015.
Councillor Jim Harte, Chair of Renfrewshire Leisure, said: “This is a significant step which we believe will take culture and sport in Renfrewshire to the next level.
“We want to promote greater investment, increase community participation and decision-making in sport and culture, and help drive forward economic regeneration.
“Renfrewshire Leisure has a strong track record and has doubled visitor numbers since it began managing leisure centres and swimming pools in 2003.
“Now we are looking to use that expertise to help stimulate involvement in heritage and culture activities which are at the heart of our ambitious plans to transform Renfrewshire’s economic prospects and boost jobs, investment and tourism.
“It makes sense to coordinate the different leisure options in Renfrewshire through one integrated approach
“It is also important to stress that assets such as museums and town halls will continue to be publicly owned. They will now benefit from new approaches and investment to promote greater use of those facilities and the services they provide.
“Renfrewshire Council will continue to invest in facilities as shown by the recent decision to allocate £3million to upgrade six community facilities across the area.
“There will also be greater involvement in decision-making with community and business representation on the board of Renfrewshire Leisure along with cross-party representation from councillors.
“All in all, these are exciting times for leisure and culture in Renfrewshire and we are going all out to maximise the benefits that new investment and a new direction can bring.
“Our vision is not just to preserve services but strengthen and develop them.”
More information about the transfer arrangements is available online at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/transfertotrust.