Labour vote down Lib Dem plans to continue funding free swimming in Manchester

3.09.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 14th Jul 2010

Manchester Lib Dems are Fighting to Protect Free Swimming in Manchester

Labour's Town Hall bosses have voted down plans proposed by the Lib Dems that would see the continuation of Free Swimming in Manchester.

"Free swimming for under 16s and over 60s in Manchester could have continued after the 31st July 2010 using Council resources if Labour would have supported my amendment" said Liberal Democrat Finance Spokesperson on Manchester City Council and Withington Ward Councillor Simon Wheale.

"I called on the Council to use part of an underspend of over £2Million from the year to the end of March 2010, which at the moment is just adding to Reserves, to fund the free swimming programme for under 16s and over 60s for the rest of this year. We could then transfer some of the £5.5Million that we spend at present on Corporate Communications in Manchester to support the Free Swimming Programme in future years. Encouraging swimming amongst under 16s and over 60s in Manchester is more important for the city than extra glossy Council brochures."

"The Free swimming programme is a high priority for the Manchester Liberal Democrats. We have had Government money to support this since April 2009, but that will end on 31st July 2010 because no sustainable source of funds were left by the Labour Government to support the programme as it stands. I promise that we will propose that the money to fund this is found though the Council's own resources as it was for under 16s before April 2009. I am disappointed that Labour wouldn't match our commitment."

Former Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson on Manchester City Council and City Centre Councillor Marc Ramsbottom added,

"I found the money in the Liberal Democrat Budget proposal to fund free swimming from local resources as far back as 2005, but Labour called it unaffordable. They have voted today to let this programme end. They should be ashamed of themselves."