Nearly 3,800 signatures urge Flintshire Council to renew Aura’s contract for vital leisure and library services

Flintshire People’s Voice (FPV), a group with five councillors on Flintshire Council, has submitted a record-breaking petition to the local authority.

The petition, which has gathered 3,764 signatures, calls for the council to save the management of local leisure and library services by the employee-owned, not-for-profit organisation, Aura.

The petition aims to prevent the council from ending Aura’s contract, which is due to expire on 31 October 2024.

Aura currently runs Flintshire’s libraries, leisure centres, play areas, and heritage sites.

The petition hand-in comes ahead of a crunch council meeting on Thursday, where councillors will vote on a motion from Flintshire People’s Voice demanding that the council’s cabinet reverse its decision to take the services away from Aura, and insisting that councillors have the right to see the contract offered to Aura.

The petition calls on the council to renew Aura’s contract to run vital services such as libraries, leisure centres, play areas, and heritage sites across Flintshire.

It warns that the council’s current plan, which involves replacing Aura with a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC) on 1st November 2024, could lead to widespread service disruptions and the potential closure of multiple facilities.

The petition reads:

“Flintshire County Council is threatening to force Aura out of existence by refusing to extend their contract to run essential services in Flintshire. This decision will undoubtedly lead to severe service disruption across the community and could ultimately result in the closure of many libraries and leisure centres throughout Flintshire.”

Aura, which has been managing these services for the past seven years, is a charitable organisation owned by its employees and operates on a not-for-profit basis.

Flintshire People’s Voice, led by Cllr Sam Swash, has been vocal in its opposition to the council’s decision to terminate Aura’s contract, emphasising the organisation’s role in community wealth-building and its contributions to the county.

Cllr Sam Swash commented on the petition: “Residents of Flintshire have made clear just how much they value Aura. It’s clear that it won’t be a better service at the end of this. There’s still time for the Labour – Independent coalition to change their mind and avoid a massive mistake.”

Cllr Carolyn Preece (Buckley Bistre West) echoed these concerns, adding: “Flintshire People’s Voice recognises the huge contribution Aura has made to our county over the last seven years. We will fight all the way to save this brilliant charity.”

As Aura’s contract draws to an end on 31 October, the council’s new LATC will take over the management of these services from 1 November.

Flintshire County Council has assured residents that all bookings and services made post-October will be honoured by the LATC, but Aura will no longer be involved in their delivery.

Aura, while no longer managing services, has expressed its gratitude to the community for their support over the past seven years:

“Aura wishes to say ‘thank you’ for the loyalty and support of all its customers over the past seven years.”

The outcome of Thursday’s council vote will be decisive in determining whether the LATC will move forward as planned or if Aura will be given another chance to continue serving the Flintshire community.