A free swimming scheme is to continue in Taunton Deane until 31 August 2010, despite losing Government funding from the end of July. It means under-16s and over-60s can continue to use Taunton and Wellington pools for free during the school summer holidays.

The council's community scrutiny scheme had recommended the scheme continue until the end of March, but sports and leisure portfolio holder councillor Catherine Herbert decided to finish it at the end of next month.

She said: "I carefully considered the recommendations of the Community Scrutiny Committee – and consulted with officers on where the extra funding could be found – but decided that it is simply not viable to continue free swimming for several more months without the substantial financial support from the Government.

"The decision to end financial support for the scheme nationally was taken in the light of the national budget deficit and the fact that the scheme did not prove value for money to increase frequency of swimming – without Government support we have to look very carefully at our finances here in Taunton Deane.

"This is not a decision that has been taken lightly and I know the scheme has been very popular with some swimmers locally. But this has become a very desirable scheme that we simply cannot afford."

Under council rules Mrs Herbert's decision could still be called in for further debate.

Free swimming was introduced in Taunton and Wellington in April 2009. The council committed to support the scheme for two years in line with Government requirements at the time, and invested £40,000 a year, while NHS Somerset contributed £31,500 for the two years.

Any money left over from subsidies will be ploughed into physical activity-related projects to be agreed with the council's partners – Tone Leisure and NHS Somerset which helped fund the scheme.




Published:
00:45:32 26.07.2010 by John Bolton