Tories reject free swimming proposals

11.22.00am GMT Fri 3rd Oct 2008

Despite the prospect of significant funding from the government, Tory councillors in Poole have rejected free swimming for both the over 60s and under 16s, claiming that it would cost too much.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, described the decision as "disgraceful. Poole council claims to prioritise local resident's health and well being, but this decision demonstrates that this is clearly not the case."

"In my view their argument that it will cost too much is completely undermined by fact that leaders on the council recently allocated over £80,000 to pay for their own responsibility allowance increases of between 29-100%."

"I shall shortly be meeting with representatives from local pensioner groups to see how I can take the issue forward with Government."

Liberal Democrat councillors voted unanimously to implement to free swimming scheme.