Council takes plunge as swim grant finishes

The policy of free swimming for the over-60s, a trademark of the Labour Government, was axed by Rother District Council's Cabinet committee on Monday following central government funding cuts.

Director of services Tony Leonard summed up the situation: "Quite simply, the free swimming that was, will no longer be." Over 60s will now pay the standard senior rate of 2.65 each time they enjoy a dip.

But councillors agreed to pick up the costs - roughly 500 a year - for children and serving members of the armed forces to carry on swimming for free.

Cllr Jonathan Johnson said: "In view of the small amount of money involved I see no reason why we cannot continue with free swimming for military personel and looked-after children."

Government gave RDC 86,000 over two years to fund over-60 swimming in Bexhill Leisure Pool and Rye Swimming Pool. A 2,226 top-up was taken annually from the council's amenities budget.

The first year of the scheme saw 11,980 free swimmers through the turnstiles at Ravenside.

Cllr Paul Osborne said it was "a shame" to cut a scheme that benfitted so many, adding that he believed some of the scheme's cost should be balanced against NHS savings in health benefits.

Cllr Paul Lendon, of Bexhill St Stephen's ward, said: "I know that some of my constituents won't be too happy about this."

Cllr Carl Maynard, leader of the council, said: "We always said it was unlikley that this authority would be able to contunue the free swimming once the funding ends."

Though a grant of 3,692 was available to cover the cost of free swimming for members of the armed forces members and territorial army, less than 100 of that was required.

Around 80 children are currently registered for the free swimming programme.