COUNCILLORS have approved plans for a new company to be set up to run Monmouthshire Council’s leisure, tourism, culture and youth services.

At a special meeting of the cabinet, councillors voted unanimously to establish an Alternative Delivery Model (ADM) to run the services.

The meeting heard that the new set up aims make it easier for young people to access youth services.

The plans are viewed as a “crucial aspect” of a cost-cutting programme as Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) aims to save a total of £19.992m by the financial year 2021/22.

Cllr Bob Greenland (Devauden ward) told the meeting last Monday, January 29 that services will continue to be delivered to a good standard.

“I think the members of the public would be concerned about nothing else but that they will continue to get good services from this department moving forward," he told the meeting.

"In the work that has taken place over the last two years we have done everything we can to ensure the model we have chosen is the best we could have. In the end if this is going to give better services I am sure the public would be behind it."

Under the new arrangement, MCC will maintain ownership of the assets and will direct the delivery of services provided by the new company.

Cllr Peter Fox (Portskewett ward) explained that the decision made at the meeting would be final.

However, the management of the new set up will need to be discussed at a full council meeting.

Councillors approved to set up a start-up fund of £155,000 that will allow the ADM to be set up.

The ADM option will cost MCC £21.44m, while transforming current provision over a five-year period would cost £22.945m, a council report prepared for cabinet states.

The ADM model was recommended to council and seen as providing value for money and the best deliverability.

ADMs are increasingly being seen in Wales as a way of councils avoiding having to cut services altogether or privatise them and already exist in several other local authority areas such as Newport and Torfaen.