A DOZEN staff are expected to be made redundant in an overhaul of Colchester Council’s leisure services.

It is not yet known where the job losses would come from, although Gareth Mitchell, head of life opportunities, said other staff could see their services transferred from one leisure centre to others across the borough.

He said: “There would be around a dozen posts which may be removed as part of this. I would expect job losses to be really quite small.”

Colchester Council is looking to pump more than £1.6million into its leisure centres across the borough following a fundamental service review.

Under the proposals, the fitness centre at Colchester Leisure World would be extended and catering at the site would be given to a private company.

Controversial proposals to sell off four tennis courts at Shrub End are still on the table despite residents and councillors speaking out against the plans.

Officers were questioned over the proposals at a meeting of Colchester Council’s overview and scrutiny panel, at which Pauline Hazell, borough councillor for Shrub End, spoke out. She said: “Colchester is growing at, some would say, an alarming rate. It would be counterproductive to reduce these facilities in the face of this expansion.

“I have heard from some residents who say they are very much against this.”

But Tina Dopson, councillor responsible for community and diversity, said the proposals were only being considered.

“This is not an absolute,” she assured the meeting.

“It will be explored. Clearly we have not started this yet and we may find it’s actually not possible to do.”

The fundamental service review began last March.

The report will go to the cabinet next month where it will decide whether to approve the business plan and release the £1.6million cash for the investment programme.