A FLINTSHIRE resident has made an impassioned plea for Aura to continue running leisure and library services.

It comes ahead of a special Flintshire County Council meeting on Thursday (October 24) to discuss Aura's future - with two independent councillors tabelling a notice of motion titled "Save Aura's Services". 

Aura Leisure and Libraries Limited, which runs run most leisure centres and libraries in Flintshire since 2017, and Flintshire Council have failed to reach a new long-term funding agreement.

Council officials said they were "disappointed" after a proposed new deal offered to the employee-owned company during the summer was rejected.

However, Aura representatives said it contained stipulations they could not legally agree to.

The contract between the two parties, which also covers around 200 play areas and museums, is now due to finish at the end of October.

The council said plans would be put in place to allow services provided by Aura to keep running beyond then, but has yet to reveal any details.

It has led to fears being raised by a group of opposition councillors that it will lead to "severe disruption" or even the closure of some facilities, but this has been strongly denied by the local authority. A petition by the Flintshire People's Voice (FPV) - a group of five independent councillors, to save Aura has received over 3,700 signatures. 

Kate Harding, a former headteacher and regular user of Aura's leisure services is now representing people who want Aura to be saved.

"I feel so strongly about Aura’s excellent leadership and provision," she said. "I discovered the same views on the current situation - the shock, dismay, anger and sadness were shared by many members and service users who know what they stand to lose. For this reason I became ‘a voice for members and service users’ in this apparent impasse between the council and Aura.

"My experience and part of the role as teacher/headteacher has enabled me to identify excellent practice in Aura. If it was a school, it would be recognised as outstanding by Estyn. 

"Aura provides an absolutely exceptional service and will leave a massive hole. With Flintshire Council's well-documented financial position, I really fear that we're going to lose services one by one."

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Kate said wasn't a 'sporty' person before getting involved in Aura - which she has transformed her. 

She said: "As someone that, although active in other ways, had never been interested in sport or exercise - through Aura’s guidance, expertise and care I found a new passion, new skills, so much better health and wellbeing. I now have a love of exercise and a new family - a gym bunny at 66 years of age."

"For me, and lots of other people, we see Aura as the jewel in Flintshire's crown. If isn't broke, why try and fix it? I'm doubtful that there is a county in the UK that has a succesful leisure service as Aura. It should be cherished and protected."

Kate pointed to North Wales Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) which, in Flintshire is managed by Aura as an example. NERS is an evidence based health intervention that incorporates physical activity and behavioural change to support clients to make healthier lifestyle choices to improve their health and well-being.

She said: "NERS must surely be a leading light within the whole of Wales. I know of no other county that is delivering this as successfully and have spoken to Betsi Cadwalader Health Board personnel at Ysbty Glan Clwyd about Flintshire’s  investment in both physical and mental health and therefore a positive impact on the NHS. They were delighted and envious. This is indicative of Aura’s calibre across all the services they lead.

"Aura's Fit, Fed and Read sessions over the summer saw over 5,000 attend. They are free sessions which engage children in sporting activities, reading, and crafts across Flintshire. These are just two of the examples of the vital services Aura provides."

Addressing Flintshire Council, Kate added: "Please consider Flintshire residents' future. Please offer an fair and acceptable contract to Aura.

"You will gain the respect of your community and Flintshire continue to be a leading light in leisure, library, play and heritage services. Losing it would be devastating." 

Cllr Sam Swash, a member of the FPV, said: "Tomorrow's meeting is an opportunity for all councillors to finally have their say on the council's plan to end Aura's provision of leisure and library services.

"Not only is Aura an excellent example of employee-owned community wealth building in action, it has set the gold standard for that provision, winning countless awards for its services.

"It is clear from the huge number of people who have signed Flintshire People's Voice's petition, the biggest petition in Flintshire's history, that the people of Flintshire hugely value Aura and want them to continue running leisure and library services."