Issue - meetings

Members considered a report of the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services which drew attention to notification received from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) with regard to the removal of grant funding for the provision of free swimming for over 60s as from 31st July 2010.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor M. J. A. Webb and seconded by Councillor G. N. Denaro.

On a requisition under Council Procedure Rule 17.5, the following details of voting were recorded.

For the recommendations: Councillors Mrs. J. M. Boswell, Mrs. M. Bunker, S. R. Colella, R. J. Deeming, G. N. Denaro, Mrs. R. L. Dent, Mrs. A. E. Doyle, Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E., D. Hancox, R. Hollingworth, Ms. H. J. Jones, B. Lewis, Dr. G. H. Lord, D. L. Pardoe, S. R. Peters, C. R. Scurrell, R. D. Smith, E. C. Tibby, C. J. Tidmarsh, M. J. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (21);

Against the recommendations: Councillors Ms. J. A. Marshall, P. M. McDonald, D. McGrath, E. J. Murray, W. R. Newnes, S. P. Shannon and C. J. K. Wilson (7).

RESOLVED:

(a)               that the removal of the grant funding from the DCMS (£31,000 per annum) for over 60s swimming be acknowledged;

(b)               that officers be instructed to remove the free swimming programme as from 1st August 2010 and prepare a promotional campaign to inform residents of this decision and the circumstances in which it was made;

(c)               that, as part of the reintroduction of charging for over 60s swimming, the current concessions scheme (50% discount) be implemented.