HUNDREDS of council jobs are safe following a multi-million pound success.

The local authority's in-house team have won two major five-year contracts against private sector competition.

It means that sports and leisure management, along with grounds maintenance, have been retained by the council.

Coun Kevin Scarlett, competitive services chairman, said the in-house bids were the best.

"We want to ensure that local people get the best possible service. The awarding of these contracts will, we are confident, do just that." Sports and leisure management takes in the Castle Leisure Centre in Bury, Radcliffe and Ramsbottom pools, Goshen Sports Centre in Bury, plus the civic hall bars across the borough. The five-year contract, with an option to extend for a further five years, starts on January 1 and has come in £150,000 lower than budgeted for by the council budgeted.

The grounds maintenance contract covers Prestwich, Ramsbottom, Tottington and Bury North is valued at £800,000 a year.

Coun Wayne Campbell, contract services chairman, said: "This is yet another success story for the department in retaining contracts against the private sector.

"We are extremely pleased to have won both these major contracts which not only give best value but are able to bring real savings to the council."

Congratulating the staff, he added: "I am sure that local people will be pleased that their local council workforce which will continue to provide the services they value and will be answerable to them when it comes to maintaining the high level that has come to be expected."

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