Fury as pools lose out out on free swimming

Leisure chiefs at Shropshire Council were today accused of 'penny-pinching' following a decision to exclude three county centres from a free swimming initative introduced in the run-up to the Olympics.

Three leisure centres in south Shropshire run by not-for-profit organisation – Teme Leisure in Bishop's Castle, Church Stretton and Ludlow – will not be offering the deal available to users at other sites in Shropshire.

Heather Kidd, councillor for Chirbury and Worthen, said: "I would never have believed that the council would be so penny-pinching and narrow minded.

"If they can subsidise it in most of the county surely free swimming at three more pools is affordable.

"Teme Leisure has faced huge cuts and a large chunk of that now seems to be being spent on paying for the rest of the county to have a swim."

Charlotte Barnes, Shropshire councillor for Bishop's Castle, was also outraged.

She added: "When most of Shropshire is entitled to a free swim why are we being discriminated against – the most sparsely populated part of the county? We deserve a free swim too, even if our leisure centres are run by Teme Leisure and not the council."

But Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for active and healthy lifestyles, explained the decision to exclude the three centres from the deal.

He said: "Unfortunately, leisure centres run by third parties on behalf of the council – including those in south Shropshire – aren't involved in this promotion.

"We would be delighted if these centres did also choose to offer free swimming but, as they manage their own budgets, this is a decision that they would have to make, and we cannot influence how they allocate their budgets.

"If the council were to offer free swimming at these sites it would come at a cost to the council."

Lee Hassan, general manager at Teme Leisure, said they were only made aware of the initiative when it was published in the Shropshire Star on Tuesday.

He said: "The management team will be seeking to come to an agreement with Shropshire Council in order for this beneficial initiative to be rolled-out to facilities operated by Teme Leisure on behalf of Shropshire Council."

See also:

• Free swimming at Shropshire pools

• Leader: Free swimming fun and it might save your life