End of leisure centre's free swimming sessions is 'another kick in the teeth'

BIRCOTES residents have been left high and dry by the announcement of the end of a set of free swimming sessions at the town's leisure centre.

Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL), which manages leisure centres in Bircotes, Retford and Worksop for Bassetlaw District Council, this month announced the end of the free swimming scheme for over 60s and under 16s from July 31 following a withdrawal of funding.

It follows a series of spending cuts brought in by the coalition Government.

The move has sparked outrage from local leisure centre users and their councillor who has expressed frustration at not being informed.

Harworth councillor David Challinor said he was dismayed he had not been consulted over the cancelled service.

He said: "This is just another kick in the teeth for the people of Bassetlaw and the Fit 4 Life programme set up by the former Labour Government.

"The Tories cannot wait to stop it and take another well-needed and well-supported service away.

"The lack of communication to ward councillors is unbelievable. You are treated on a need-to-know basis on cuts like this."

Bassetlaw Labour leader Cllr Graham Oxby attacked BPL, the district council and the coalition Government over the decision to end the service, which he said had "let the public down".

"It appears the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing," he said.

"How much would it have cost to have kept it going over the summer period?

"They've let the public down something terrible and local councillors haven't been given the courtesy of being told."

Responding to the councillor's concerns, deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for community prosperity Keith Isard said previous decisions made at council meant there had been no need to inform councillors.

"It has always been common knowledge the government funding for the free swimming programme was to cease at the end of April next year," he said.

"When the Council decided to take part in the scheme, it was also agreed that once the government funding ended it would be unable to afford to continue the programme from its own budget.

"There was therefore no need to refer the matter to councillors, especially as our partner, BPL, was handling management of the council's swimming pools.

"Members hearing that government funding was to be withdrawn from the end of July this year and who were unsure of the future arrangements could easily have checked with officers or with BPL as to what alternative arrangements might be planned after the funding ended.

"The new government's cutbacks has seen the funding withdrawn from the end of July.

"BPL has kept their customers, who are after all the most directly affected, fully informed about its excellent initiatives to minimise the effects of the ending of the programme and to maintain interest in swimming as an excellent form of exercise."

Speaking on the issue, BPL said the public sector spending cuts had been behind the decision.

A spokesman for BPL said: "Over the past few months, we have been working closely with Bassetlaw District Council and other partners to look at the ways in which the free swimming programme, or another similar initiative, could continue in Bassetlaw.

"Unfortunately, we are unable to continue the scheme in its current form, but will be introducing a number of ways to make it even more affordable for local people to carry on to enjoy leisure swimming and swimming lessons."

Next month, the charitable organisation will introduce new schemes including free swimming for under-fives, free swimming and teen gym sessions with direct debit purchases of kids/teens membership.

Also scheduled for next month are offers of 100 hours of free swimming per week for those who join the swimming lesson scheme and an annual leisure pass with a discount on all leisure activities.

For more information, call your nearest venues or visit the website www.bpl.org.uk