LOCAL Liberal Democrat councillors have called for an immediate halt to any further permanent closures of libraries, leisure centres and community facilities in Warrington.
The call came during a Full Council meeting on Monday, September 21, as the borough faces a further £51.2m savings programme and a review of community and leisure facilities.
The motion was proposed by Stockton Heath councillor Sharon Harris and seconded by Cllr Helen Speed.
The Liberal Democrats said they were concerned Warrington could end up providing little more than the legal minimum level of library and leisure provision if decisions were made without a long-term strategy.
Their motion follows the continued closure of Woolston Neighbourhood Hub, which has remained closed despite more than 3,000 residents responding to a public consultation.
It also highlights the closure of the swimming pool at Broomfields Leisure Centre, which has resulted in cancelled classes and disruption to swimming lessons for pupils at Bridgewater High School.
The Lib Dems say a permanent closure of the whole Broomfields facility would also result in the loss of netball and football facilities.
Cllr Sharon Harris said: “I’ve stood in a room with a hundred residents who came out on a weekday night because they are desperate not to lose Broomfields.
“I strongly supported the residents of Woolston who are desperate not to lose their pool and community hub.
“They deserve a straight answer about what happens next, not silence while the pools stay shut and classes are cancelled indefinitely.”
Cllr Helen Speed added: “This isn’t just about one pool or one hub. Without a proper plan, decisions are being made by neglect rather than by choice.
“We’ve been advised that the Council’s strict legal minimum could be just one library and one swimming pool for a growing borough of over 212,000 people. Residents deserve better than managed decline.”
The motion also called on the council’s Cabinet to publish a five-year Recovery and Transformation Plan covering every affected facility.
It also calls for an immediate moratorium on further permanent closures until the plan has been properly considered.
A moratorium would effectively mean putting any further permanent closures on hold while the council develops and considers the proposed plan.
The Liberal Democrats are also calling for the publication of the long-awaited Community Asset Transfer policy as part of the emerging Cultural Strategy.
Such a policy could set out how community organisations might take on responsibility for running council-owned facilities.
The motion further calls on the council to continue working with Warrington’s two MPs to seek additional emergency government support.
The council is currently working through a £51.2m second phase of savings, following £39m of previously identified savings, taking the total identified savings to around £90m. Full Council endorsed the latest savings plan on September 21.
Among the areas subject to review is community building-based services, with the council saying it will explore alternative operating models for libraries and community centres. The proposals could reduce the number of community buildings directly managed by the council.
The council currently has 13 libraries and six main leisure centres, although Woolston Hub is currently closed. A borough-wide review of community and leisure facilities is expected to form part of the council’s wider transformation programme.
The debate over the future of Warrington’s libraries, leisure centres and community facilities is therefore set to continue as the council attempts to balance its severe financial pressures against the services residents want to retain.
