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Free swimming bid rejected, but could be looked at again - HAVE YOUR SAY
FREE swimming could be coming to Whitby – but don't hold your breath!
Scarborough Borough Council chiefs say they will look into organising a scheme to give free swimming sessions to the over 60s and under 16s. A move by Labour councillors to rush through an application to the Government's free swimming scheme before its closing deadline was defeated as the authority opted to pursue its own free swimming scheme for the age groups.
The council has always opposed joining the Government-backed scheme, which provides compensation for loss of income to councils.
It argues the possibility of millions of visitors taking advantage of free swims makes it economically unviable. Though the Government grant for over-60s this year would have been more than the council's projected income from the age group, the council argues that, as well as loss of income, additional costs must be taken into consideration.
Tourism and leisure portfolio holder Coun David Jeffels said: "Increased costs would include changing the water more often, the increased use of chemicals, the provision of lifeguards – if we have more swimmers, then we'll need more lifeguards – and the upkeep of changing areas.
"I don't think the Government's scheme has really been thought through in terms of its implications for local authorities."
Council leader Tom Fox added that, if the council entered into the Government-sponsored scheme, it would be difficult for it to withdraw free swimming when the funding runs out in 2011.
He added: "The issue isn't the first two years, it's about the sustainability of the scheme."
An amendment to the defeated Labour Party motion, proposed by Coun Jane Mortimer, suggesting investigating the "affordability and suitability" of a scheme for Whitby area residents alone was passed, with just the two Labour group members and new Green Party councillor Nick Harvey opposing it.
Labour councillor Eric Broadbent fears it will be a long time before free swimming came to the borough.
He said: "I'm upset by the decision – I think our under-16s and over-60s are missing out on a valuable offer.
"There's so much happening in terms of the council's budget that I don't think free swimming will be a high priority."
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Weather for Whitby
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
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Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
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