FLINTSHIRE Council has issued a statement regarding the future of leisure and library services after Aura's contract ends.

Aura, which has been running most leisure centres, heritage and library services in Flintshire since 2017, will hand over the reigns to Flintshire Council at the end of October. 

It comes after the non-profit organisation 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. A petition calling for Aura to be saved received over 3,700 signatures.

A group of indepedent Flintshire councillors made a last-ditch attempt to save Aura - tabelling a motion titled 'Save Aura's Services' at a special council meeting on the issue on Thursday. The meeting was attended by members of the public in support of Aura - some who held placards outside prior to it. 

(Image: Katharine Harding) However, the motion was defeated by 37 votes to 16 as members of the ruling Labour/independent administration backed establishing the new council-led company as planned.

Flintshire County Council has now set up a Local Authority Trading Company to take over from Aura when the contract comes to an end.

It means Flintshire Libraries and Leisure (FLL) will be responsible for running the county’s libraries, leisure centres, museums and play services from November. 

Leisure and library services will be closed for the first four days of November as the transition takes place.

A Flintshire Council spokesperson said: "We intend to reopen services as normal on November 5, as long as it is safe and compliant to do so and having undertaken a business reset. All employees currently working for Aura are eligible to transfer over to FLL on their existing terms and will be expected to turn up to work as normal.

"Unfortunately, any bookings taken by Aura for November 1 to 4 cannot be honoured and will be refunded. The Council does not hold the data necessary to contact Aura customers and has asked that Aura notify those affected by the short closure.

"Aura will also soon be in contact with anyone who pays subscriptions by Direct Debit to explain the transfer process, but residents can be assured that in the future, Flintshire County Council and FLL will collect the Direct Debit payments instead of Aura, and there will be no need for residents to complete a new direct debit instruction."

Councillor Dave Hughes, Leader of the Council, added: “We are looking forward to welcoming everyone into Flintshire Libraries and Leisure and are committed to continuing to provide high-quality services for the people of Flintshire.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure a seamless transfer with minimal disruption to customers, however, there will be a need for some interim arrangements while we establish a new model of delivery. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused, however, the Council needs to take the time to ensure that all buildings and equipment are safe and compliant for customers.

“I would like to thank Aura for their work over the last seven years and it is regrettable that a new agreement that satisfies grant funding requirements could not be reached. The employees have shown their passion and dedication, and I hope we can now move forward together and continue to provide the very best services for the people of Flintshire.”