New Forest District Council’s cabinet backs leisure centre operator Freedom Leisure in proposed fees hike at New Milton, Lymington, Applemore, Ringwood and Totton sites

PLANS to hike fees at five district council-owned leisure centres have been backed by cabinet members.

As reported in the A&T, Freedom Leisure, which manages the facilities on behalf of New Forest District Council in New Milton, Lymington, Applemore, Ringwood and Totton, wants to increase a raft of charges at the sites.

The operator says they must be hiked to avoid cutbacks in services, staffing or opening hours, and suggested it could pull out of its contract with NFDC if the increases are not approved.

The proposal was discussed at a meeting of NFDC’s cabinet on Wednesday, with members recommending the changes be agreed by the council, which meets on Monday.

Cllr Jeremy Heron, cabinet member for finance and corporate, said he was “fully supportive” of the increases.

He added: “It is never popular when you put up fees and charges, however, working with our partners at Freedom Leisure, I think they continue to provide outstanding value for money and the service in a way that if it had remained in-house, we never could have delivered at a price they have delivered it for.”

The changes include increasing the cost of a standard public swim from £7 to £7.50 – a rise of over 7% – while a concessionary junior will pay £3.25, up from £3 – an increase of more than 8%.

The cost of a public swim for three to seven-year-olds will remain at £2.

A report to the cabinet explained the hikes were due to cost pressures “particularly associated with pay and energy” which meant an increase in fees greater than the Consumer Price Index was required.

Other fees which could increase from February 2025 include fitness memberships, with a single peak direct debit rising 3.6% from £56 to £58. Worst hit would be students, whose membership would jump from £35 to £38.50 – a 10% rise.

Gym users would see their monthly memberships at Totton and Ringwood increase from £45 to £47 – up 4.4.% – while the remaining centre users would pay £48 – up 6.7%.

Members of the cabinet voted in favour of the recommendation, which will now be considered by the full council.