An official signing of all the legal and funding documentation to enable a transfer of responsibility will take place at Wigan Town Hall on Friday 28^th March. Services including libraries, parks and countryside, sports centres, swimming pools, heritage services will be provided and managed, on behalf of the Council, by the Trust.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a non-profit distributing organisation (NPDO), which will be legally obliged to reinvest any surplus profits into improving services. The Trust will be registered as a charitable organisation, which brings significant financial advantages. The Trust will receive an annual grant from the Council, which takes account of current subsidy levels and income. There will be greater potential to develop business opportunities and raise finance by virtue of being arms-length from the Council. Profits will be recycled into improving services.
Another perceived advantage of the Trust transfer is in bringing the Leisure and Culture Service closer to the community There will be a board of trustees established to assist with the management of the Trust and it will include local people from the wider community. It is important to note, however, that all facilities and land holdings will remain in the Council's ownership.
Director of Leisure & Cultural Services, Rodney Hill, said: "We begin a new chapter in the provision of leisure and cultural services in the Borough. I would like to pay tribute to the Council for having the foresight and courage to change the way in which local services are delivered to the community. As well as the clear financial benefits from these arrangements. I am confident the Trust will bring the service closer to the community and enable more effective partnership working. I must also pay tribute to our staff for their loyalty and commitment in embarking on this change process. Our primary aim will be to improve and modernise the range and quality of leisure and cultural services available to the community."

For further information please can contact the Trust Helpline on 01942 828544.

Photographers are invited to capture the official transfer to the Leisure & Culture Trust taking place at Wigan Town Hall on Friday 28^th March at 2.30pm. The Leader of Wigan Council Lord Peter Smith and Chief Executive Steven Jones will be signing on behalf of Wigan Council and Jacqui Boardman and David Newman will sign on behalf of the new Leisure & Culture Trust.

Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust board of Trustees are:

Jacqui Boardman
Jacqui is based in the Borough and is very involved with a number of local organisations. Jacqui is currently Chair of the Board.

Councillor Brian Baldwin
Brian is the Councillor with responsibility for leisure and culture in Wigan Council’s cabinet. He has had a wealth of involvement with the Council’s former Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

David Newman
David is an accountant and in the past has worked to externally audit Wigan Council’s accounts. His expertise will be invaluable in ensuring that maximum benefit is derived from the resources available to the Trust.

Greg Patmore
Greg runs a local advertising and PR agency and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to marketing leisure and cultural facilities and activities.

Eddie Runswick
Eddie worked as the Director of Leisure Services for another nearby Council before his recent retirement, so he has a wide knowledge of the issues the Trust will have to face.

Jean Garlick
Jean works in the health sector and is also on the Board of the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust. She is an advocate for the health benefits that participation in leisure and culture can bring.

Contact
Gillian Cailey
Marketing Communications Officer
Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust
01942 704812