Three local Labour Councillors are asking a Town Council to think again after Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council voted to end the provision of free swimming for OAPs and young people. It will save around £13,000 pounds.

At present both local councils serving Bletchley fund free swimming.  The decision to end free swimming in the Bletchley and Fenny Town Council area will not directly affect the West Bletchley Parish Council area. They recently voted to carry on funding such a service. So one half of Bletchley will have swimming funded while the other half will not, if this goes ahead.

There has been no consultation, just a sign put in the Town Council window. That is not good practice.

Pictured is the notice announcing the end of funding for swimming in the “Bletchley and Fenny Stratford” Town Council area.

The area is represented on Milton Keynes Council by Three Labour Councillors, Martin Gowans, Mohammed Khan and Alan Webb (pictured above) but this funding is provided by the local Town Council.

Bletchley East councillor Martin Gowans said, “I was shocked to hear of this decision. Free swimming for older and young people aims to help people remain active later in life and to keep young people fit. I think it is a short sighted move that many residents will consider a bad move, especially given the Town Council has agreed to carry forward a surplus  into 2017/18.”

Local resident, Ed Hume said, “Although I pay the full price to use the leisure centre. It is great to see so many older and younger people using the pool. I fear that many of them  will not be able to afford regular swims if the free swimming is lost.”

Local councillor Mohammed Khan added, “I am very concerned that the  loss of free swimming will impact badly on the ability of older residents and young children to maintain or improve their health through swimming. It has been a  success. This is turning the clocks back and making the same mistake the Tory Government did when it ended the funding of free swimming nationally.”

Local Councillor Alan Webb concluded, “As the three councillors for the Bletchley and Fenny Town Council area, we are calling upon the town council to think again. We have written to the town council asking them to review their decision.”