UNISON has responded to Denbighshire defending itself from criticism contained in an independent report and allegations potential shareholders were trying to make a “quick buck” from the sale of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd.
This week Denbighshire County Council confirmed it had spent £62K on expert advice on the failed sale of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL), the company that runs the authority’s eight leisure centres.
Merseyside investors River Capital pulled out of the £1.5m sale after details on the deal were leaked following councillors voting to back the move behind closed doors.
After commissioning an independent report into the sale, Unison then slammed Denbighshire for not exploring all the options.
The trade union claimed Denbighshire were “spending huge sums of public money” before attempting to privatise the council-owned asset handing the “company to shareholders”.
Denbighshire then criticised Unison for not involving them in the report, accusing the trade union of not seeking the “council’s involvement or consent”.
The council said the report, carried out by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), should not be “relied upon by any other party”.
But Unison has again hit back, insisting the council is happy to accept reports commissioned by third parties when it suits them.
Unison Cymru regional organiser Tony Jones said: “Denbighshire County Council is happy to champion think-tank reports when they show the council in a good light.
“However, it should be paying attention to the less favourable findings in this report and responding properly to the serious concerns it raises.”
He added: “Unison remains ready to work with the council to deliver the best leisure local facilities for the people of Denbighshire. Every penny of public money spent on leisure services should go on leisure services.”
Denbighshire was contacted for a comment.
