Sarah Carr urges Cabinet to Re-Open LEA Swimming Pool

2.04.10pm GMT Mon 10th Nov 2008

Parents, teachers, kids and swimming associations from across the county have been disgusted by the closure of Hereford's LEA pool.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Sarah Carr is urging the ruling Councillors on Herefordshire Council to reconsider their decision not to re-open the city's LEA pool after it has come to light that options to fund the pool have been overlooked including a £67,000 grant from Sport England for swimming in the County.

The ruling Conservative Cabinet of Herefordshire Council are meeting on 20th November at 2pm to make a final decision on the future of the LEA Pool after a cross-party alliance on the Children's Services Scrutiny Committee forced them to review their plans.

Sarah said,

"Following many months of campaigning with Lib Dem councillors, parents, teachers and kids to save the LEA Pool, I am eagerly awaiting the final decision of the ruling Conservative Councillors. I hope that these councillors will carefully reconsider their initial decision in the light of public opposition and the news that other funding options outside of the existing education budget have been available but have not been explored.

"I have been contacted by hundreds of parents, guardians and swimmers from across Herefordshire who are appalled that our county could be losing a purpose built teaching swimming pool due to lack of investment when we all know how important swimming is to the health and safety of our children. I urge the ruling Councillors to put the interests of our children first by making the investment needed to reopen the LEA pool immediately."