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Free swimming plans

10:59am Thursday 4th September 2008

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PLANS to provide the over sixties with free swimming in Dorset could end up being "a postcode lottery," a councillor warned.

At a meeting by Dorset County Council's cabinet, councillors provisionally agreed to the free swimming plan, pending decisions made by other borough and district councils in Dorset.

Under the new scheme proposed by the Government, Dorset would be provided with £174,022 from 2009 to 2011 to enable free swimming for people aged over 60.

Initially there would be two pots of money, one for the over sixties swimmers and then the second for phase two, which will offer free swimming to children aged under 16.

Cabinet members were warned that there could be a possible shortfall of £93,866 throughout Dorset over the next two years.

The county council's head of cultural services Paul Leivers said that Weymouth and Portland Borough Council had already decided that it was not going ahead with the scheme because of these financial implications.

Dorset County Council leader Angus Campbell said that before a final decision can be made they need to find out which councils in Dorset are interested in the scheme and how much they are willing to contribute should a shortfall occur.

Chief executive David Jenkins told the cabinet that the Dorset Primary Care Trust had already pledged its support and offered to supply £50,000 in the event of the scheme losing money.

Coun Campbell concluded that the county council will provide match funding of £50,000 if they go ahead with the scheme.

Councillor Toni Coombs expressed her concerns that by offering free swimming to children, it could stop parents paying for swimming lessons and taking custom away from the leisure centres.

She added: "There is a number of leisure centres listed for the scheme and we know Weymouth have pulled out so what we will end up with is a post code lottery of free swimming that is not fair to the people of Dorset."

West Dorset District Council is due to discuss the programme at its executive committee on September 9.

The county council, the district councils and borough councils in Dorset must make their decision and tell the government by September 15.

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Your Say YourThisisdorset

Carl Barron, Dorset says...
11:44am Thu 4 Sep 08


Quote An estimated £4,000 shortfall would be covered by SLM, the swimming pool management company.

Reply It's also more economical to have a higher number of people in the pool at any one time as the transfer of Body Heat from each person is very considerable indeed to help keep running costs down.

Elderly people would most likely stay for Coffee and a bite to eat hence an added Revenue Stream straight away.

Well, done whoever thought of this one. But hang on there. Wait till the Dozy Tories start to complain about the (so called added costs)

You can BET your bottom dollar that if any Council doesn't run this scheme, it will most likely be a TORY Council.

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samt, Dorchester says...
1:10pm Thu 4 Sep 08

This is a great idea, but why do the elderly get to swim free first? the majority of them can swim, surely children should go first and have the opportunity of learning to swim alongside keeping fit.This is a good government scheme but as usual not well thought out and how will the maintenance of the pools be funded - through an increase in our council tax no doubt!

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samt, Dorchester says...
1:13pm Thu 4 Sep 08

This is a great idea, but why do the elderly get to swim free first? the majority of them can swim, surely children should go first and have the opportunity of learning to swim alongside keeping fit.This is a good government scheme but as usual not well thought out and how will the maintenance of the pools be funded - through an increase in our council tax no doubt!

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Wessex Lass, Dorchester says...
5:12pm Thu 4 Sep 08

Totally agree that the children should have been first in the scheme and the over 60's next as most ofthem can swim. Nice idea but again not thought out properly.

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Iona, Dorset says...
10:23am Fri 5 Sep 08

samt and Wessex lass should realise that the initiative is not about learning to swim. Nobody is offering free swimming lessons.

For the over sixties it is about regular excercise and social interaction. Inactive over sixties become ill and require costly help. Active ones last longer.

For youngsters the motives are to get them off the streets and and into healthy activity that could also result in better performance at the Olympics in years to come.

SLM Ltd offered to absorb the projected extra £4000 cost.

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Wessex Lass, Dorchester says...
4:17pm Fri 5 Sep 08

Do not recall mentioning swimming lessons in my comment. If the childrens scheme came in first not only is there a chance that perhaps it may save a life especially as we live near the sea but also would give them a hobby and get them away from the TV. Was not suggesting that the over 60's should not get a look in,just that offering it to children first may at some point save their life.

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Iona, Dorset says...
6:38pm Fri 5 Sep 08

We are talking about saving over sixites' lives by promoting regular excercise and social interaction that they might not otherwise afford.

Not many seventy year olds can go jogging or bike riding. Many this year will find it hard to pay for food and power. Those that do swim will be tempted to economise by stopping swimming.

By the way it was samt mentioned learning to swim. I addressed you both.

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