A WORKERS' co-operative could be set up to run Pendle's public leisure and sports facilities in a bid to save more than £200,000 a year.

Council bosses are looking into setting up a leisure trust in a bid to cut costs, save council taxpayers' money and give local people a better service.

A report by Pendle Council's services director John Kirk said the authority could save £200,000 a year in business rates alone because the trust would have charitable status.

It would also have freedom from local government rules to borrow and invest and leisure would no longer have to take a back seat to other council spending priorities such as economic regeneration and housing.

The non-profit making trust would work in partnership with the council, which would retain ownership of the facilities and keep control of prices for using them. The trust would manage the facilities such as Pendle Leisure Centre, West Craven Sports Centre, Wavelengths pool and the range of sports pitches on a fixed term contract.

Staff would transfer to the trust on the same terms and conditions as they are under with the council now. Leisure manager Phil Storey will meet with his department's 140-strong workforce to spell out what the proposed changes mean.

Coun Azhar Ali, leader of the Labour group on the council, suggested leisure staff could set up a co-operative to run the trust and be given a stake in their futures. "There is no doubt that we have an excellent management and staff operating our leisure facilities," he said.

"Nor is there any doubt that we need additional facilities, for example a new sports centre in Nelson, better facilities in Brierfield and Colne, and to be able to respond to other needs such as community centres.

"We are asking the officers to investigate the option of a workers' co-operative running a leisure trust.

"There seems to be opportunities through a trust to give the council taxpayers more for their money and also introduce a stakeholder approach by involving our valued staff more."

Local people, teams and other groups that use the leisure facilities will be asked for their views on setting up a trust and senior council officers have been asked to cost out how much setting up a trust will cost and what cash benefits will come from the move.

"There is nothing to be scared of," added Mr Storey. "Transferring to a trust will give financial benefits to the council through cost-saving and being able to get more resources which will ultimately benefit the council and local people."

Councillors will also go on a fact-finding trip to Chester to see at first-hand how a leisure trust operates.

Burnley Council is also considering setting up a leisure trust but it is in the early stages. A number of options are being considered but there are no firm plans.

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