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Tuesday, 9th February 2010

Protesters take to streets over pools

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Published Date: 15 February 2008
By Paul Marsden
PROTESTERS are ready to take to the streets after Fylde Council confirmed it was planning to close swimming pools in Kirkham and St Annes.
Marches to "Save Our Pools" have been organised in both towns to show the strength of feeling against the closure of the facilities.

A public demonstration in St Annes has already been pencilled in for Saturday, March 1.

The pool closures were confirmed yesterday at a highly-charged three hour cabinet meeting at Lowther Pavilion.

The facilities are among a raft of savings the authority has proposed in a bid to make sure its annual council tax is pegged within the government increase limit of five per cent.

A lower than expected Government settlement and the cost of concessionary bus travel have put added pressure on the council.

Fylde is proposing an annual rise of 4.99 per cent, but that includes £1.2m of cuts and a controversial new local taxation scheme.

Differential taxation will see parishes and town councils taking control of open spaces and other non-essential council services and the cost of these charged locally through a precept.

The fight to keep Kirkham Baths was today joined by Wesham ward councillor Simon Renwick, portfolio holder for Culture and Tourism, who voted against his own ruling Conservative group's pool closure plan.

But Coun Liz Oades, leader of the opposition in Fylde, accused Coun Renwick of being unconcerned about voters.

She said: "What has he been doing for three years to let it to get to this stage? He should have been securing the future of both of the baths."

More than 200 people attended a public meeting in Kirkham on Tuesday to protest at the proposed closure.

Dad-of-four Peter Roberts, from Warton, showed his support at the meeting at Lowther by sticking a message saying "Save Our Baths" on the side of his car.

The final budget meeting will be held at Fylde Rugby club on Monday, March 3, at 5pm.

Meanwhile, Lancashire County Council last night approved an annual council tax increase of 2.95 per cent.

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  • Last Updated: 15 February 2008 12:02 PM
  • Source: Blackpool Gazette
  • Location: Blackpool
 
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Councillor Simon Renwick,

Kirkham & Wesham 15/02/2008 12:43:36
Councillor Oades makes an very interesting point about what have Ibeen doing to keep the pools open. I'll turn the question round and ask her, what has she been doing. I can answer for me, can she answer for herself?

Since I become Cabinet member 2 vital pieces ofwork have been carried out. Firstly was redrawing the instructors contracts up to allow more children to learn to swim.

Secondly was the external tender project that proved FBC runs the baths effectively.

I also agreed to re-open Kirkham Baths after the mechanical break down last year and likewise with St. Annes.

We have actually seen an increase in Swimming income since I was made cabinet member, we've seen more children learn to swim and we've seen serious thought put into taking Kirkham forward.

I also took the decision to allow free swimming at Kirkham Pool last summer to under 16's in the mornings during the holidays. This allowed more children to use the baths than ever before.

What did Coun Oades do during all this?

But perhaps one of the biggest things I've done is tirelessly campaigned against the Labour Government that has lead us in to the situation we currently see ourselves in. I've promoted David Cameron's local agenda that will set council free to make local decisions on the priorities set by local people.

Coun Oades, by all accounts continues to support Labour at County Hall by voting with them at yesterday's budget meeting.

How does she square her actions as a local councillor. Speaking loudly at public meetings does not constitute action and is just crass electioneering!
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Tony Howard,

St Annes 15/02/2008 12:54:07
Can somebody tell me what the St Annes council is doing with our council tax, there has been a lot of new properties built in St Annes but year on year we seem to be in more debt, is it not time the council stood down. If I ran a businness at a loss like the council I would of gone bankrupt years ago.
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fyldecoast,

fylde 15/02/2008 14:31:23
Council offices 5 million, Pools NONE
sounds like looking after the residents doesn't it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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fyldecoast,

fylde 15/02/2008 15:16:16
The public dont care for this political party nonsense just reduce the offices revamp cost and save the facilities for the residents (and tourists while you still have some)- basically lets have some commonsense.
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fyldecoast,

fylde 15/02/2008 15:16:16
The public dont care for this political party nonsense just reduce the offices revamp cost and save the facilities for the residents (and tourists while you still have some)- basically lets have some commonsense.
6

,

15/02/2008 18:08:39
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
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