‘£40,000 shortfall for pool proposal' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

‘£40,000 shortfall for pool proposal'

10:10pm Tuesday 2nd September 2008 in News By Jo Winrow

Audrey Raistrick says the amount of money is very small compared to the health benefits to pensioners

A Government plan to offer free swimming to the over 60s could cost Bradford council-tax payers £40,000 a year.

And further costs to the authority of subsiding pool trips for under 16s has yet to be calculated.

Free swimming for both age groups will be discussed next week at Bradford Council’s executive and would begin in April.

Committee members will be asked to back the proposals and register their interest in adopting both schemes with the Department of Culture Media and Sport by the deadline of September 15.

The Government will make £15 million available a year for the next two years for over 60s and Bradford has been allocated £123,944 of this based on its population.

A total of £25 million has been earmarked to support councils who want to offer free swimming to under 16s. But a decision on Bradford’s has not yet been made.

A further £10 million will be available this year to help improve swimming facilities and local authorities who sign-up for both age groups will receive a one-off capital grant. It could be used as project development costs for any bids to create a city centre or community pool.

The Council’s executive member for environment and culture Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said: “We want as many people of all ages and abilities to be able to enjoy swimming in our pools across the district but unfortunately the amount of money being offered to subsidise the free swimming is not enough to cover the costs involved.

“Although the scheme is something we back, the DCMS proposal for free swimming for the over 60s would leave us with a shortfall of around £40,000 a year.”

Audrey Raistrick, of pensioners’ group Neighbourly Care Bradford, said: “The amount of money is very small compared to the health benefits to pensioners.”

Earlier this year the Telegraph & Argus launched its Save Our Swimming campaign in the wake of a report which identified under-investment in Council’s pools.

Some 2,500 people have signed up to the campaign which calls for the Council to safeguard the future of community swimming pools in the district and to build a new showpiece pool in the city centre.

The Council agreed not to accept the findings and a report is expected before the executive in October.