Leisure centre cuts exposed in leaked papers (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Leisure centre cuts exposed in leaked papers

PLANS that could leave the Cirencester area without a swimming pool or sports hall will be considered by councillors next month, the Standard can reveal.

Gym, squash and health suite facilities at the new town leisure centre may also be axed as part of shocking proposals drawn up at the request of Cotswold District Council's controlling Tory Group.

The Conservatives could chop £1 million off the £6 million scheme as part of a major cost-cutting exercise.

But, the Standard has obtained documents, showing the dramatic results of what that could entail.

A number of options have been drawn up, one of which involves axing all swimming facilities, while another would involve getting rid of the sports hall and training pool.

The source who gave us the documents, said: "These suggestions are completely incomprehensible and certainly not in the best interests of people in the area.

"This affects people all over the district."

The Tories are re-examining a number of major schemes in a bid to save cash and help ease CDC's financial difficulties.

Leader Julie Girling and Conservative colleagues on the executive committee recently voted to pull out of the Cirencester Traffic and Environment Plan, although a final decision has been put back following representations from Gloucestershire County Council.

The leisure centre plans are sure to send further shock-waves around the community, particularly in the more populous south of the district, where most of the cuts would take place.

The existing leisure centre has a sports hall, main and training pools, health, fitness and relaxation studios, three squash courts, a creche and bistro and bar facilities.

The proposed new facility, on the existing Cirencester Cattle Market site, off Old Tetbury Road, would have all of the above, as well as a larger hall and 60 gym workstations instead of 25.

The original plans have still not been ruled out, but, options based on chopping £1 million off the budget will see a major reduction in facilities. If the Cirencester project is trimmed it could further be perceived that there is a divide between the town and the rest of the district.

The Conservative Group has just one member representing a ward in Cirencester, although most of the major cuts would fall within the town.

However, the majority of ward posts in the north of the district - where people are able to enjoy facilities at the new £2.4 million Bourton Leisure Centre, which opened in January, and the newly revamped leisure centre at Chipping Campden - are held by Tories.

* The council says the proposals have not been deliberately kept out of the public eye and that the detailed options are due to be discussed by the full council on September 30.

Cotswold District Council issued the following statement in response to the Standard's discovery:

Cotswold District Council's executive committee, on July 17, considered an interim report from officers on the progress of the new Cotswold Leisure Centre proposals, as part of its review of approved, but uncommitted, capital schemes.

The committee recommended to the council that:

The council proceeds with its plan to build a new leisure centre in Cirencester.

The existing leisure centre /social services club site continue to be offered to St James's Place for their new HQ office.

Attempts to be made to minimise any delay.

In building a new leisure centre, the council should seek to reduce the current net deficit on its revenue budget through the facilities provided.

The committee resolved to instruct officers to prepare a report outlining the facilities that would be provided under current proposals and what facilities could be provided for a net budget of £5m.

These recommendations and resolution are a matter of public record and were published in the minutes of the executive committee July 17 meeting in the information booklet that accompanied the council agenda on August 5.

That meeting of council approved the recommendations.

It was understood by members of the executive committee at the July 17 meeting that any revised proposals would necessarily entail reducing some of the planned facilities and that might have a consequential effect on staffing numbers at the new centre.

The officers' report will be considered by the executive committee in mid-September and by a special meeting of council later that month. Both meetings will be held in public.

The work to produce alternative options for members is underway, but not yet complete.

It's too early to say what those options will be though they will include an option to proceed with the currently approved plans.

Leader of Cotswold District Council, Julie Girling, said: "The council is currently reviewing uncommitted capital schemes to ensure that public money is being spent in an effective and prudent way, as all local taxpayers would expect us to do.

"No decision has yet been taken in respect of the new Cotswold Leisure Centre in Cirencester and members will carefully weigh up the costs of any scheme against the benefits that the facility will provide to Cotswold residents.

"I'm sure councillors will listen carefully to any view expressed by the public."