27 July 2010

Anger at Tory decision to stop free swimming

The Labour Group on Plymouth City Council has reacted angrily at Conservative decision to stop free swimming for the over 60's and under 16's from the 31^st of July. The urgent decision taken yesterday by the Cabinet Portfolio Holder: for Community Services (Safer and Stronger Communities and Leisure, Culture and Sport).  

Councillor Peter Smith, Labour' shadow spokesperson for Community Services (Safer and Stronger Communities and Leisure, Culture and Sport) said "This is a short-sighted policy from the Tory government at a time when we are trying to encourage greater participation in sport, since Plymouth has significantly worse than the national average, obese children and the number of people who die from heart disease and stroke. Since the free swimming initiative was introduced by the previous Labour Government over 110,000 free swims have be taken by the over 60's and under 16 teens of Plymouth.

We also note that as a result of this decision that Sport England has withdrawn the £750k capital grant that was agreed through the free swimming initiative for the Life Centre leaving the Council with a gap in its funding that the Council tax payers will have to pick-up.

We call on the Tory controlled Plymouth City Council to follow the example of other councils in making provisions within their budget to continue providing free swimming. 

"This Tory Government claims free swimming is a 'luxury we cannot afford'.

"But I would say what price a child's life?

"The Environment Agency recently stated water claims the lives of 50 children a year in the UK and drowning is the third most common accidental death among Britain's under-16s.

"Continuing free swimming for them is simply something we couldn't afford not to continue".