Crow Opinion: Paying the cost
IT seems a shame that FREE swimming sessions for the over-60s and under-16s will not be on offer. But North Herts District Council is probably quite right to protect its budget – and, as it said, look for other initiatives. These may include its own plans
IT seems a shame that FREE swimming sessions for the over-60s and under-16s will not be on offer.
But North Herts District Council is probably quite right to protect its budget - and, as it said, look for other initiatives.
These may include its own plans to introduce such swimming sessions in the future.
After all, swimming is the most popular participation activity for the over-60s, according to the Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
And at least 39 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds participate in swimming in and out of school at least once a month.
But although the Government has to be applauded in encouraging this kind of activity, it does cause problems when a grant of such a pittance is available.
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It is once again the same old story of Whitehall providing the ideas - but then expecting councils and the community to pay in the long run.
Until power is wrested away from Government, then local authorities such as ours will always be faced with a dilemma.
