THE CHESHIRE West and Chester Council recreation chief has denied there is secrecy regarding the future management of leisure facilities across the borough, including the Epic in Ellesmere Port.

Cllr Richard Short (Con, Overleigh) was responding to a question from Blacon councillor Reggie Jones (Lab) who pointed out the trade unions had written to the press “expressing concern that the council should abandon its secrecy and start a proper process of consultation.”

Cllr Jones added: “Will Cllr Short ensure that the process for determining future investment will be open and transparent in order to address the genuine concerns of our employees.”

Cllr Short insisted the trade unions had no need to write to newspapers to get an answer as “everything has been quite clear and open.”

A review of leisure assets had been the subject of extensive staff and union discussion and consultation over a long period of time, he said.

Councillors and staff had been briefed with the unions invited and attending.

A report to the council’s Executive had included the trade unions’ view in relation to the preferred management arrangements.

Cllr Short added: “The subsequent stages of the process will continue to be open and transparent and will continue to have a full union involvement.

“There is no secrecy in this at all and for anyone to say that, they are completely mistaken.”

Cllr Jones asked how much investment would be required but Cllr Short explained the review was about management arrangements, not capital investment.