Letter: Swimming cutback is welcomed
Monday 28th June 2010, 8:59AM BST.
Letter: I see from the Star front page headline (June 18), that one very positive side effect of the Government’s cutback in funding to local authorities is that Shropshire Council is being forced to withdraw its free swimming “perk” for children and pensioners.
Entitlement to this scheme was not means tested, so many well off pensioners and children with middle income parents were entitled to use this facility free of charge, with us local mugs (sorry, council tax payers) picking up the tab. The ruling Tory administration at the council should be ashamed of such policies.
No wonder Laura Rowley (Director of Resources) is quoted as saying that the scheme was, “. . . one of the most popular things that the authority had ever introduced. . .” That comes as no surprise, Laura.
What next? Free food for all at the council’s canteen?
Likewise when she advises that the council had also “. . . pumped its own money into the scheme. . . ” she, of all people, should understand that it’s not Shropshire Council’s money that’s being given away, this money belongs to the hard-working council tax payers of Shropshire and should be spent more frugally.
I hope that other side effects result in Shropshire Council being forced to reduce more of its hare-brained schemes, such as its obsession with pandering to cyclists, in order that local authority job preservation is given top priority.
A Davies
Shrewsbury
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Of all the things to moan about errrrr this encourages keeping fit hence not a burden on the Health service in future . What annoys me is people complain about such things not because of cost but because they did not get it themselves in most cases. Cycle paths again safe and keeping people fit again not a burden in future on the NHS . Of course means test winter fuel payments, tax credits etc but not things that help reduce the heavy burden in other sectors. I would also add many who took advatage of the free swims were more than likely council tax payers also.
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” reduce the heavy burden “, i like that, did you mean it.
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I don’t mind councils giving children and other people free entry into the swimming pools in Telford and Wrekin.
Everyone should be able to access facilities such as these and also provide safer places for cyclists.
On reading your letter again, it looks somewhat tongue in cheek, so either it is the way it is worded or you really do think that the two things mentioned are a waste of your council tax.
Or perhaps you are a couch potato who thinks that free swimming and cycle paths should be replaced by free tv licences, broadband and DVDs ;)
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well said
spot on
his letter is utter tosh
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In reference to the cycle paths, why do I only ever see the cyclists on the road alongside them?
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If the paths you are writing in reference to are anything like the ones in some parts of Telford and Wrekin, they are lethal to ride along and need immediate remedial work done on them.
Saying that, I much prefer dodging the potholes and lumps/bumps on the walking (yes they are just as bad)and cycle paths, than the traffic on the roads.
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Having a sister in Wales who benefitted from her children having free music lessons and swimming facilities it all sadly came too late for my children in Shropshire when swimming became free too.
I strongly feel in a town surrounded by a river it is a moral duty that all children should have access to swimming improvement.
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Are you having a laugh!! Myself and my husband both work like alot of other people that pay all their taxes and national insurance and to get a little bit back is fantastic!! I take my 3 year old swimming every week now and she loves it!!
I understand they have to sort the debts out but dont moan just because your obviously not using this facility!!
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free swimming could actually SAVE moeny on health, absenteeism, juvenile crime etc etc
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Mr Davies,
What about the people who CANT afford to go to a private swimming pool or to pay?
Look at the wider picture.
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I think that taking away free swimming for children is ridiculous!! For a single parent, not on a high income (who does pay their taxes) it is something that is a huge bennefit and to take it away is unfair!! I actually agree with Mr Finch on this one. The Council needs to get a grip and stop steam cleaning the cobbled streets on Claremont Hill every couple of weeks to save money(I know they do this as I live there), they only get thrown up on every weekend by drunks anyway!!
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Its the same old catch 22 again! Government cuts council budgets due to the mess caused by the greedy banks. The county councils and PCT’s have to struggle with these new budgets, but cut out the wrong things. Rather than cutting the wages on high profile managers they cut off things which the less fortuneate rely on. With such a radical change starting in with the government, why cant we have a selection of the public review the cuts first which also can include wages and staffing levels in the public sector. At least then these public sector managers who are a waste of space can be kicked out saving more jobs lower down and keeping some services open.
From what i am reading in the press with so much preassure on these ‘targets’ i am actually afraid to go to hospital. does anyone remember common sence rather than just a figure on the computer screen?
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as with all cut backs they don’t think objectively as to what is cut, it’s all a political manouvere, they always cut what they know people will be outraged by, think school books, free stuff for kids, health stuff – there are plenty of cuts could be made – think of the amount spent by the council on flowers, pots and baskets and other froo froos, bet they’re not cutting them!
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Why should all those who are on benefits get a great deal free? Here in Portsmouth those on benefit get free or highly reduced price access to many leisure facilities. Those who are earning minimum wage and probably struggling more than the professional benefit people have to pay full price. It irks me!
So free swimming to youngsters and pensioners gets my vote (I don’t fit either category). Now it has ended maybe a sliding scale of fees with peak and off peak hours attracting different admission prices should be introduced.
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So you are obviously quite happy to continue to pick up the NHS bill for type 2 diabetes and gastric bypass surgery the Mr Davies. We good luck to you.
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is the letter writer a member of the town residents association?
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