PUBLIC leisure centres across Castle Point could be handed over to private firms, the Echo can reveal.

Runnymede Swimming Pool, in Thundersley, and Waterside Sports Centre, on Canvey, could be handed over to contractors to run as Castle Point Council seeks to cut costs.

The council’s Tory administration has asked officers to assess the cost of the service and its benefits.

Deputy leader Bill Sharp said: “As cabinet member for reform, you would think me pretty poor at my job if I did not look at a council cost that exceeds some £700,000 per year on a non-statutory duty.

“We have asked our strategic director, Devinia Board, to look into all our leisure facilities and their cost benefits.

“An initial report has been discussed between the leadership and officers.

“If we feel matters need to be brought to council for their assessments, it will happen through official channels, initially through the relevant policy and scrutiny committee group.”

Local authorities have no duty to provide leisure services by law and many councils, including Basildon, Southend and Rochford, pay private firms, not-for-profit companies or charities to run them.

But some councillors fear a drop in standards if a private firm cuts back on services to reduce costs.

John Anderson, Canvey Island Independent Party councillor for Canvey Island Central, said: “We should be trying to keep things in-house, keeping control of it, not rely on the idea of outsourcing it.

“The problem to me would be the agency or contractor that takes it on board, in order to cut costs, will start cutting services delivered in the sports centre.

“The cleaning and maintenance rota is usually cut back.

“In order to win a contract, the firms put in lower quotes.

"With lower quotes come lower services.”

But other opposition groups were less relaxed about the idea.

Ukip leader Alan Bayley said: “Provided it can be beneficial to the council, considering that it spent £5million doing the leisure centre up and Waterside Farm Sports Centre costs nearly £1million a year to run, it has got to be a very, very good offer from the company, such as Virgin or whatever, to take it on and make it a good service, with no closures.”