Cheshire West and Chester Council have responded to queries raised by residents during a meeting aimed at establishing a project group of local stakeholders to examine options for the future of Frodsham's leisure, library and wellbeing facilities.

"Working across the various facilities in the area"

In the meeting, which took place on Monday 15 February, the Council invited speakers from local clubs and facilities, including the new Helsby Sports Club, to outline the opportunities and challenges faced by their organisations.

Several of the local residents present at the meeting wondered why the emphasis of the discussion was placed on these community groups and not on Frodsham Leisure Centre itself.

In response to this, the Council have now said: "The focus of this first meeting was to bring together local clubs, groups, elected members, interested residents and other key stakeholders to start the journey of exploring options for the Frodsham and Helsby area to provide a leisure, health and wellbeing and library service, and to set out the planned next steps for the project.

"Frodsham Leisure Centre will be considered as part of the project."

It added: "The aim of the project is to work together to develop options for the delivery of services across the Frodsham and Helsby (A56 Corridor) area.

"Hopefully, through the project we can collectively identify ways of working across the various facilities in the area, to enable further opportunities for providers to work together. This will create opportunities to provide an improved, joined up offer for the area.

"There's been lots of feedback about the need for indoor hall space for a variety of activities. The needs of local groups, clubs and activities will be considered as draft options for the area are developed.

"The current environment we find ourselves in is challenging and the Council needs to make substantial savings over coming years.

"There is a need for us to work together and to think creatively to provide activities and facilities that provide the biggest impact on improving health and wellbeing for the borough. As the project develops, we'll need to consider how services, facilities and activities can be sustainable and to create opportunities for growth."

Reacting to the idea of facilities being spread across Frodsham and its neighbouring villages, one resident said: "Bear in mind that asking people to travel further to a gym, classes etc. adds travel costs on to already expensive gym memberships.

"Also, travelling at night to exercise may add particular risks for women."

In response, Cheshire West stated that accessibility was "extremely important" and would be a key concern of the plans for local leisure facilities.

A Community Hub in Frodsham?

One member of the public also suggested that, to make it work better for all Frodsham residents, the leisure centre space be used as a sort of community hub, complete with café, social services drop-in, police base and sports facility.

Cheshire West replied: "This is a really good idea and there are many examples across the country of how different services can co-locate within community-based settings. Once established, the project group will explore all options for the Brio Frodsham Leisure Centre site."

Another local resident suggested that, while discussing the future of sport and leisure provision in the town, the Council were neglecting the fate of Frodsham Library.

"We recognise how important library services are to local communities and that library services in Frodsham and Helsby are extremely popular," it said.

"Representatives from the Council's Library Team will be involved in the project group to help shape the wider offer for the area as the project develops.

"The Brio and Library offer works well at Frodsham Leisure Centre, and the co-location of different services is potentially an option that could be explored by the project group. Having services that are accessible will be critical to ensure that local people can access services and that services are sustainable."

To get involved in the project group, please contact [email protected]

Read more about decisions made recently by Cheshire West and Chester in relation to Frodsham Leisure Centre

Read Frodsham MP Mike Amesbury's reaction to the above meeting

Read Frodsham Town Council's reaction to the meeting