Walsall Council scraps free swims for children

The move marks the end of seven years of free swimming for under 16s. The scheme was introduced to improve youngsters' health and help cash-strapped families.

Walsall-born paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds backed the initiative when it was launched in 2008.

Borough bosses had pledged to continue funding the scheme until at least April next year but the plug is now being pulled on the sessions.

They claim the scheme was no longer financially viable and, from January 1, a standard fee of £2 will be introduced for children to swim at any of the borough's baths.

Councillor Anthony Harris, leisure chief, said the council, along with Public Health England, had spent £700,000 on the free swimming programme but that it was 'not sustainable in the current climate' to continue funding at that level.

He described the new charge as still one of the lowest in the West Midlands and that special offers would be brought in to allow regular swimmers access at reduced admission fees.

"Walsall has to save £85million over the next four years and unfortunately we can no longer afford to continue with free swimming," said Councillor Harris.

"We are committed to encouraging as many children to swim as regularly as possible and will continue to support those children and families that want to exercise."

He said the council's leisure discount scheme, Move-It, would still be available for £1 a visit, which represented 'fantastic value'.

More than 30,000 children have taken advantage of the scheme since it was rolled out at Walsall Gala Baths, Oak Park Leisure Centre and Darlaston Swimming Pool.

The authority made their pledge to continue free swimming until 'at least next spring' in January stating that affordability was the key to encouraging more young people and their families to enjoy swimming. The extension of the scheme for another year was recognition of that, it was said.

In a further cost-cutting exercise, it was announced last month that Walsall's leisure centres will be taken out of the hands of the council to save £500,000. The authority plans to transfer management of the centres to a third party trust to secure the future of Gala Baths and Darlaston Swimming Pool, as well as run the new centres being built in Bloxwich and Walsall Wood. The council said it was not suitable to run the leisure facilities, which bosses want to see supporting themselves at no cost by 2018.