BRINGING the popular Ironman event back to Pembrokeshire will cost the taxpayer £50,000 a year according to a Cabinet report.

On Monday, new County Council leader Cllr David Simpson and his new Cabinet will discuss an update on a proposed legal agreement and financial contribution linked to Ironman Ltd.

The proposal would see the multi-million pound extreme sporting event return to the county for another five year term – 2017 to 2021.

A report by the head of highways and construction, Darren Thomas, states: “It is now proposed to sign a new Host Sponsorship Agreement with Ironman Ltd for another five year term. As part of the host arrangements for Ironman, the Authority is required to provide an annual sum of £50,000 to be paid to Ironman Ltd.”

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority will make a £16,000 contribution to the £50,000 sum and Tenby Town Council has committed a £5,000 contribution for the first year, with further contributions to be decided.

Ironman has been held in Tenby since 2011 and draws in world-class athletes and thousands of visitors from around the globe. It has promoted the county across the world on a scale not matched by other events in the area.

The report states that an Ironman survey in 2013 “indicated a total contribution to the local economy amounting to some £3.7m annually”.

This is said to be made up of spending prior to ‘Race Week’, athlete spending during the week of the race, spectators spending on food and accommodation and also Ironman’s use of Welsh businesses to run the event.

“This does not include additional athletes/cyclists, previous athletes returning to visit and event marketing visits,” which will also boost the local economy.

But in a time of cuts at Pembrokeshire County Council questions remain as to where the £50,000 will come from as the report states: “The Ironman Agreement has not been factored into the budget 2017-18 or the Medium Financial Plan 2017-18 to 2020-21. The £50k contribution for 2017-18, minus any contribution received from other bodies such as the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Tenby Town Council, will need to be identified. For 2018-19 to 2021-22, the annual contribution would need to be built into the budget.”

Tenby councillor Mike Evans said that although the budget was a “balancing act” the positives of the event far outweigh any negatives.

“It’s been transformational in Pembrokeshire for the health and fitness of residents. It’s a fact that Pembrokeshire has the highest per capita participation rate of any Ironman in the world, more than the likes of Paris and New York. Last year it was approaching 400 people, it’s been a phenomenal success for health and fitness regimes and the legacy it’s providing for youngsters.

“The whole county is benefitting. Ironman and other events, such as the cliff diving, are putting Pembrokeshire on the international map,” he added.

Cllr Evans said that increased use of the county’s leisure centres indicated a greater interest in health and fitness which benefits all areas

A recommendation to Cabinet is that the host agreement be signed and £50,000 committed as well as continuing to offer “In Kind Services” for the international event.