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Two-tier leisure service plans slammed
December 5, 2011 12:00 AM
Moves by the Labour council to charge residents more to use two of the borough's most popular leisure centres will lead to a two-tier service, Islington Liberal Democrats have warned.
At the last meeting of the council's Executive, Labour councillors nodded through a new policy to charge users of Highbury Pool and the new Ironmonger Row Baths - set to open next year - a premium rate significantly higher than other Islington leisure centre users.
The new leisure charges will mean:
- annual membership fees of £496 at Highbury Pool and Ironmonger Row Baths - a 9% increase.
- adult swimming charges up by 30p a session
- increases up to market rates for ice rink prices at Sobell Ice Rink
- rises in the cost of pensioners' individual ticket prices
- junior swimming lesson charges up by 60p per lesson
Liberal Democrat Leisure Spokesperson councillor, Greg Foxsmith, said:
"Labour councillors like to bang on a lot about fairness. But what is fair about introducing a two-tier leisure service in Islington?
"Why should local users of the new Ironmonger Row Baths and Highbury Pool have to pay more than everyone else in Islington?
"This sets a dangerous precedent for other council services where basically only the better off will be able to access better services. So much for being on residents' side. This is a very slippery slope."
ENDS
Note to Editors
- The two-tier leisure charging service was agreed by the Labour council Executive on 24th November 2011. The report can be seen here: http://www.islington.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=9797&intSectionID=6&intSubSectionID=2
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