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Protesters take to streets over pools
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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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 14 C to 27 C
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