Reprieve for free swimming scheme

Free swimming for children and the over-60s in Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire will continue until the end of the summer, following the lead from other parts of the Black Country.

Councils in both areas have confirmed plans to extend free swimming at leisure centres until children go back to school.

Wolverhampton City Council is spending £25,000 on the scheme.

It means that people aged 16 and under and 60 and over will be able to swim for free at Central Baths, Bilston Leisure Centre and Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre for six more weeks.

Councillor Matt Holdcroft, cabinet member for leisure and eulture, said: "We were of course saddened that the decision was taken nationally to cease funding for an initiative which has proved successful in Wolverhampton, with thousands of youngsters and older people signing up for free swimming passes.

"It is very good news that it will be able to continue here until the end of August, particularly as it will enable children to take advantage of the offer during the school holidays."

South Staffordshire Council is able to meet the £10,000 cost of the extension out of money it had already received, but not yet spent, from the Government.

Councillor Roger Lees, deputy leader for community services at South Staffordshire Council said: "It seems like common sense to me to give local youngsters something to do over the summer break so we thought we'd take the opportunity to allow them to continue swimming for free until they go back to school."

From September, under 16s will pay £1.80 for a swim and over 60s will pay £1.85.

The scheme applies at leisure centres in Codsall, Penkridge, Cheslyn Hay and Wombourne.

Walsall Council has already announced plans to spend £34,000 to put back the deadline by two months and Stafford Council will also fund an extension. But Cannock Chase's free swimming will end on July 31 and bosses said they were unable to continue it alone. The scheme cost £73m across the country but was described as a luxury the country could not afford.

Sandwell Leisure Trust will revert to half price discounts for the over 60s and 10 per cent or half off for under 16s, based on elibility.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for youth, culture and leisure Councillor Ann Shackleton said: "The new government's decision to cut this funding was very unfortunate for

Sandwell which has high levels of inactivity and large health gaps, but without the funding, the scheme cannot continue."

Dudley is also introducing the charges again from August.