Mike Evemy writes to the Gazette and Herald about North Wiltshire Leisure Centres

10.22.25am GMT Wed 28th Feb 2007

Mike Evemy campaigns to Save the Leisure Centre in Cricklade

Mike Evemy writes:

"I was dismayed to read in last week's edition of your paper personal attacks on council leader Carol O'Gorman. I know that Carol has been working extremely hard with council officers to secure the long-term future of leisure provision in all six North Wiltshire towns.

Events over the last three months have naturally been upsetting for employees and customers of all six leisure centres previously run by North Wiltshire Leisure Limited (NWLL). The criticism levelled in your paper against the Council, whilst understandable, is I believe unfair.

Initially, a working group of all political parties had to take difficult decisions over the future of three centres in order to safeguard the future of the other three. The previous situation could not continue as NWLL was effectively bankrupting the Council. The Liberal Democrat budget passed by the Council on 22 February which saved the Lime Kiln Centre has required some changes that are likely to be unpopular. Conservative councillors neither supported this budget, nor proposed any alternative.

The Liberal Democrat administration in Chippenham led by Carol O'Gorman is committed to working with its officers, Athena Leisure and KLIC to maintain public leisure provision in Calne and Cricklade. They will continue to do that until all possible avenues have been explored. I would urge everyone involved to support them in those efforts and hope we can look forward to a successful and sustainable future for leisure provision across North Wiltshire."