Lib-Dems make a splash with pool claim

Date published: 21 February 2012

THE Liberal Democrats claim they have found the funds to replace both Royton and Crompton swimming pools.

It’s among a range of proposals they are set to deliver as part of the party’s alternative budget.

Leader Howard Sykes slammed the borough’s leisure review as a “farce” because he said Labour was not open about its intentions, claiming it is the will, not the money, that is lacking.

But Oldham Council claims its consultation was extensive and fair — and considered several areas in Royton and Shaw for a new facility.

The consultation saw 19 people vote in favour of retaining a pool in Royton or replacing the old pool with a new one, while 778 people were in favour of keeping a leisure facility in Shaw.

“It must have been the biggest response and most decisive result of any consultation in the borough’s history,” Councillor Sykes said.

“Labour was deaf to democracy — we will put that right.”

The Lib-Dems’ “citizen-led’ budget also proposes investment in repairing roads and cleaning up the borough — the top two priorities by a substantial margin in the council’s public consultation.

The Lib-Dem leader added: “The public have told us again and again what they want from the council — forget the gimmicks and get the basics right.

“We’ve listened and delivered it.”

The budget proposes a £250,000 cash injection for a summer pothole blitz, as roads were deemed the residents’ “number one concern”.

Councillor Lynne Thompson, finance spokeswoman, said: “It is obvious that spending the winter filling huge potholes is ineffective.

“It is much better and cheaper to fill the new ones before they can become craters. Investment would save not just a fortune but the public’s bent wheels and fraying nerves.”

Other proposals include a new enforcement pilot project to target dog fouling and eight extra street cleaners and two neighbourhood enforcement officers to make an immediate difference to street cleanliness.

The party claims that with £2 million a year spent cleaning rubbish, the plans would pay for themselves.

Youth services would also get a boost, with the emphasis on filling gaps and diverting young people at risk of anti-social behaviour.

Sunday opening of the central library and gallery would continue under the proposals.

The alternative budget will be moved by Councillor Sykes and seconded by Councillor Thompson at tomorrow’s council budget meeting.