THE future of swimming provision in Ceredigion is still being considered, as council chiefs are looking to find savings of £100,000.

A Ceredigion County Council board established to consider a range of leisure services is still drawing up proposals to change how swimming provision is organised in the county as part of a range of changes to sports and leisure services aimed at saving the council money.

The leisure reconfiguration board has already backed changes that have seen schools take over leisure centres in Aberaeron, Cardigan and Lampeter, as well as asking a community group in Tregaron to draw up a business case for taking on the leisure centre.

A report that went before the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday, 7 June, said work was still ongoing into the future of swimming provision to find a way to make savings of £100,000 from the service.

Leisure services have been identified as a major area for cuts or savings as the council again faces having to make major cuts to balance its budget next year.

Council officers have said that as leisure services do not legally have to be provided, it is likely it would be cheaper to ask community groups to take over leisure services and provide grants in some cases from council funding.

While other counties, including Powys, have transferred their leisure centres over to private companies, the board established in Ceredigion ruled that out when a company submitted an expression of interest in taking over Tregaron leisure centre.

That decision was taken after the “indicative financial outcome is financially unviable for the council when compared to the existing costs of operating the facility”.

Representatives from a community organisation in Tregaron hoping to take over the management of the leisure centre now have until 31 July to draw up a business case with the council saying it is hoping to be able to provide advice and support to the bid.