A community interest company (CIC) is poised to take over the running of leisure facilities across the Cheshire West and Chester region under plans backed by the local authority.

In June, Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWCC) resolved to seek an operator to take over responsibility for facilities currently run both in-house and by Chester and District Sports and Recreation Trust (CADSART). However, CADSART has decided to serve the council with notice of its intention to cease trading on 4 October. Under the new plans, facilities run by CADSART will be transferred to the council on 30 September.

Leisure centres operated by the trust would again be transferred once the new CIC is set up by CWCC, a move that is thought would save the local authority £500,000 in 2011-12. A report put before CWCC's executive committee said: "If the new delivery vehicle is charitable or has charitable purposes, this option means the new vehicle should be entitled to National Non-Domestic Rates relief which represents a considerable saving in operational costs."