Leisure centres and wellbeing services will be managed by the council from April following a mutual agreement to safeguard jobs and vital services.

The council and Inspiring healthy lifestyles (Ihl), provider of leisure services in the borough since 2003, said the last 17 years has seen leisure centres, country parks, outdoor education and essential wellbeing services go from strength-to-strength thanks to a strong partnership approach.

However, services are to be transferred over the spring.

Gareth Cross, chairman of the board of trustees for Inspiring healthy lifestyles, said: “I, along with every member of the board of Trustees, are incredibly proud of every member of the Charity’s workforce who have shown nothing but hard work, commitment and dedication throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the last 17 years of providing public services.”

“The impact on the leisure, culture and wellbeing sector has been significant. Wigan Council and Inspiring healthy lifestyles have been working together to determine the best way forward in these challenging times.

"Our shared priority is to safeguard jobs and to protect the continued provision of physical activity, wellbeing and leisure services for residents and communities.”

Leader of Wigan Council, Cllr David Molyneux said: “Leisure and Wellbeing Services are a key priority for the council, our NHS partners and our communities. Young people also told us clearly in our recent Big Listening project that health and wellbeing is of critical importance for them high and that is why I have asked Cllr Chris Ready to take on this important addition to his portfolio alongside culture and communities."

Cllr Ready, cabinet member with responsibility for these services, said: “We have fantastic leisure and wellbeing services in our borough that we have invested significantly in over recent years – from our leisure centres to our wonderful green spaces and targeted work with our health partners to support residents with long term health conditions.

"We have been very clear that we need to protect these vital services for residents and the fantastic staff that work in our leisure centres and open spaces. I am very pleased that despite the financial impact of Covid-19 on the leisure sector, we can protect staff and services for residents and members of our leisure centres in this way.

"We have big ambitions for the future of these services, and I look forward to working with our residents and communities to make them a reality.”

Following the successful transfer of library services in 2017 the council will now undertake a consultation with leisure staff with a view of transferring existing services back into the council in early 2021.

The council says it will provide regular updates will be provided over the next few months.