LIVEWIRE and Culture Warrington have saved the council more than £17 million during the 'worst period of austerity in living memory'.

Politicians across the town will be told about the impact the two not-for-profit organisations are having on the borough's health and wellbeing, as well as economy, during a series of briefings over the coming weeks.

In the past six years, LiveWire has generated £14 million in savings for the council, while Culture Warrington has contributed to £3.1 million.

They have also helped to secure more than £7 million of inward investment, funding and grants, while increasing participation in health and wellbeing activities.

Managing director Emma Hutchinson said: "We want people to know the scale of the benefits we bring but also to let them know that we are socially conscious, we are responding to the needs of our communities and we are an important part of the fabric of Warrington – here to help people.

"We are trusts for the community.

"We have managed to achieve these savings and sustain services by growing the income we generate from the leisure side of the organisation, in order to ensure services can be sustained in the face of future austerity cuts."

Community interest company LiveWire – which employs around 400 people – is the largest provider of wellbeing, sport, leisure and library facilities and activities in Warrington.

LiveWire’s facilities rack up more than 3.5 million visits from residents per year – despite 'increasing competition' from budget gyms.

Ms Hutchinson said: "We need people to join us and if they do, every penny that comes from membership fees is spent on delivering services for people and we can continue to invest in improvements to services and facilities.

"In the past, we have had some challenges – particularly around libraries – and I think that has potentially clouded people’s views about who we are and what we do for thousands of people in our town every single week.

"I hope people can see that we listened when they responded to proposals about libraries and we continue to welcome feedback from people regarding how services and facilities can be improved."

LiveWire chair Alan Yates said the organisation has worked with partners to ensure Warrington is the 'most active community' in the north west.

"LiveWire was set up to protect services during the worst period of austerity in living memory," he said.

"But we have done more than that.

"We have significantly improved our wellbeing services and facilities."

Culture Warrington chair Maureen Banner added: "We are very proud of our employees and the work they have done to develop and grow the company."