HEADTEACHER David Black has ruled out the possibility of Alsager School taking over the running of Alsager Leisure Centre.

His comments follow news of a series of cost-cutting proposals by Congleton Borough Council.

The authority is looking at schools to take over the running of Alsager, Sandbach, Holmes Chapel and Middlewich Leisure Centres.

The council is proposing a raft of measures to save £1.5 million, and under the plans 70 leisure centre staff would be employed by schools rather than the authority.

"We have no desire to run Alsager Leisure Centre," said Mr Black, headteacher of Alsager School.

"We would prefer it if a third party ran it, whether that be Congleton Borough Council or another organisation."

The school has told the council if it "abandoned" the centre the school would attempt to keep as many of the facilities open as possible.

"The centre is able to run only because of a significant subsidy," said Mr Black.

"If this is withdrawn there would have to be cuts in provision, as it is illegal for the school to subsidise leisure services from the education budget.

"This would almost certainly mean the closure of the swimming pool, and job losses would be inevitable."

He was surprised by the speed with which the council had announced its plans, and said as a result it was difficult to make a detailed response.

The centre is funded by the council and Cheshire County Council, and for the county's views on the proposals see below.