THE decision to hand over the town’s leisure facilities – including the poorly thought out decision to allow an unproven operator take over the ‘jewel in the crown’, Broome Manor Golf complex – was made many weeks ago and no amount of lobbying was going to change the mindset of the administration.

However, I would like to place on record my thanks to Councillor Williams and Renard for taking the time to discuss with me my concerns at the decision.

In particular I pointed out that Twigmarket do not have the “considerable experience of running golf courses” as claimed by Coun Williams.

In fact, Twigmarket owned a nine-hole course, which they have recently sold, and they hold a 125-year lease on Trent Park Golf Course but until very recently that was managed by a third party and not by Twigmarket.

The reality is that Twigmarket has a mere four years’ experience to fall back on – not quite what anyone would describe as ‘considerable’ or ‘extensive’.

Twigmarket’s accounts do not demonstrate any capacity to invest without the need to borrow, it for this reason the Council is proposing to award Twigmarket a 75-year lease.

However, many members of the public will rightly ask: “How will Twigmarket fund any investment when, according to SBC the two golf courses run at a loss?”

There are only three ways to achieve a better result, reduce costs, increase fees or improve usage rates. I wonder which option Twigmarket will take.

Investment is sadly not assured and it is difficult to believe that officers of the council will be able to insert any meaningful clause or implement any positive action to “ensure they (the golf course and leisure centres) receive extra investment”.

I believe this assurance will prove to be reflective of the hyperbole for which politicians are famed.

I was pleased to be assured by Coun Williams that Twigmarket Limited has offered an incremental rent for the two sites, with provision for a further future increase in rent linked to turnover performance.

In my conversation with Coun Williams, he thought the amount was in the region of £72,000 per annum, it will be good to see definitive figures.

Finally, the actual deal will be made between officers of the council and Twigmarket.

I think it fair to say that based on past results the people of Swindon should not expect too much in terms of a deal which should benefits them as much as it benefits Twigmarket.

Des Morgan, Caraway Drive, Swindon