At the meeting of the 6th of December Executive, the SNP Administration and the Conservatives opposed the Labour Group amendment which would have taken the Strategic Property Review report to the full Council and enabled more detailed scrutiny. However, the Executive did agree that future reports will go to full Council.
Falkirk Labour Group is opposed to the closure of 133 properties including 4 school swimming pools as outlined in the report. There may be some properties proposed for disposal that are already agreed as surplus to requirements, and we will not oppose this. However, we cannot agree with the closure of so many community centres and other facilities. We have met with local community groups in relation to the proposed closure of community centres, and with swimming groups - all opposed to the closure of the School Swimming Pools.
The Council Plan lays out a priority of Supporting Stronger and Healthier Communities, which includes within it a commitment to help people participate in activities to improve their health and wellbeing. Swimming and water sports across the district clearly do this at a large scale in Falkirk district.
After almost 3 years of Covid related restrictions, children and young people need to be able to get together and engage in healthy exercise activities. It has been suggested that they will be able to use the other pools available, but it is not realistic to bus children from school to school for swimming activities. The swimming groups would not be able to offer as extensive a service as they currently do.
Falkirk Labour Councillor Jack Redmond said “Many athletes have practiced and competed in pools in the Falkirk area over the years. Some have gone on to National and International competition successes. This opportunity should not be denied to future children and young people in the area.“