THE trust which manages Bexley's sports and swimming centres is to take Bexley Council to court.

Court papers have been served on the council by Leisure Link.

The body claims there have been problems with the payment of the council grant it was supposed to get this year to manage Bexley's two sports and three swimming centres.

Leisure Link is seeking a judicial review the legal procedure where the courts ensure public bodies such as local authorities operate within the law when making decisions.

But the council says it has already paid the company two instalments of this year's grant.

It also insists “continued payment of grant remains on offer”.

The council says the dispute is linked to its plans to build three new swimming centres, under a public private partnership.

When they are built, Leisure Link's 10-year contract to run the existing facilities may end even though there are five years left to run.

The council believes the dispute over funding is a means to take the matter to court because there is no guarantee Leisure Link will be chosen as the private-sector company involved in the partnership.

But the council's redevelopment plans are already well under way.

Public consultation has been done and councillors are due to consider bids from three consortia, including Leisure Link, on June 11.

The council hopes to have contracts signed in time to begin building next year.

It claims it has been trying for six months to reach an agreement with the trust to pave the way for the new arrangements.

It says it hopes Leisure Link will reconsider its action.

Council leader Councillor Mike Slaughter said: “It is not too late for Leisure Link to stop its court action so that discussions can resume.”

David Kerrigan, chief executive of Leisure Link, told the News Shopper the trust did not agree with the council's statement on the issue.

He said there were other matters to be resolved before the trust could comment more fully.

If the court action does go ahead, the trust will have to apply to the High Court for leave to seek a judicial review.

And the court would have to be satisfied the issue to be reviewed was a point of public law and not a contractual issue.

If the court grants leave, the case will proceed to a full hearing, which could take several months.