New Trustee Appointments

Statement by Southwell Leisure Centre Trust

The Southwell Leisure Centre Trust (SLCT) remains committed to its objective of providing Health and Leisure facilities to the residents of Southwell and the surrounding area, ie the Trust’s beneficiaries.

Newark and Sherwood District Council (NSDC) decided on Tuesday 14 May 2024 not to proceed with its plan to fund the replacement of the main swimming pool at the Southwell Leisure Centre and instead to seek to negotiate an exit from the current lease between the parties, to enable Trustees, working with beneficiaries, to effect repair of the pool at the earliest opportunity and to arrange future management of the Leisure Centre.

Southwell Town Council (STC) made a decision on Wednesday 15 May to appoint 2 councillor Trustees, Phil Barron and John Lightwood, and also one non-councillor Trustee, Andrew Wilson. As the previous Chair of the Trustees was not appointed, Phil Barron was elected as the new Chair on 20 May 2024.

The Leader of NSDC agreed on Tuesday 21 May 2024 not to reappoint NSDC Trustees for the coming period. This was received by the Trustees as a positive and welcome step.

We wish to recognise with thanks the considerable support provided to the Leisure Centre by NSDC over a number of years.

The Trustees hope in the next few days to finalise the appointment of a 4th Trustee, as 4 Trustees are required for the Trust to be quorate and therefore able to make binding decisions in the short-term.

We will develop a process for the equitable appointment of further Trustees rapidly, whilst observing the Charity Commission guidance on appointments to Trusts. The Trustees recognise the importance of the new Trustee group reflecting the diverse needs of the local population. We must ensure a mix of genders, different age groups and particularly representation by people with disabilities, so that future facilities are accessible for everyone. We require Trustees who have the necessary range of skills and experience.

We hope that the process of negotiating the termination of the lease will proceed smoothly and amicably. We know that all parties have the speedy restoration of all leisure centre facilities, in a long-term sustainable way, as their principal aim.

Verdun Webley, a non-council appointment, was appointed by the trust as the 4th trustee as soon as they were able to, with the agreement of the Charity Commission, Southwell Town Council and Newark & Sherwood District Council, making the trust quorate again.