The new coalition government has announced it is to withdraw funding for the remaining months of the national free swimming initiative for people aged over 60 and under 16. Eden District Council was one of many local authorities who have taken part in this initiative which has benefitted local residents.
Eden District Council’s Community Services Portfolio Holder, Councillor Mary Robinson, said: “We are disappointed that the government has chosen to end the free swimming initiative early on the 31 July 2010. Offering free swimming was a really positive way to encourage people to get active by trying a sport for free and once their confidence was boosted the potential was there for them to discover what other activities they can try on their doorstep via their local leisure centre or District sports clubs.
“The Council actively lobbied the last government to ensure that young people in Eden got the benefits of the free swimming initiative, which we had expected to continue until March 2011. We will now work with our Leisure Services provider Parkwood to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from the remaining weeks of the scheme.”
The free swimming scheme was launched as part of a national initiative, aimed at raising levels of physical fitness in the general public and getting an extra two million people more active ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, said: “We are facing an unprecedented financial situation in this country, and it is essential that we act now to reduce the country’s debt.
"We have examined a number of schemes to determine whether they remain a Government priority, value for money, and affordable in the current economic climate. This has involved some incredibly difficult decisions, but the cultural and sporting worlds, like everyone else, urgently need the country’s finances to be returned to a sustainable position."
For more information about Eden District Council tel: 01768 817817 or visit www.eden.gov.uk
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