Council extends free swimming for summer hols!

Free swimming is currently available to residents who are 16-years-old and under, and those aged 60-years-old and over.

Funding for free swimming has been removed by the Government with effect from July 31, forcing local authorities to make tough decisions about its provision.

But the Council was so determined to ensure eligible residents could continue to swim for free over the busy summer months that it has funded a five-week extension of the scheme.

Councillor Derek Jarvis, Executive Councillor for Culture, said: "Free swimming in most local authorities across the country will cease from July 31 due to Government cutbacks.

"But we have managed to find the money within our existing budget to extend the free swimming programme until September 5, the end of the school summer holidays.

"We felt this was important because so many families go swimming together in the summer months and this will enable grandparents to go swimming for free with their grandchildren.

"In addition to allowing them to enjoy their summer time together it will also give families more time to plan ahead for the time when swimming charges are reintroduced."

When free swimming provision ends residents can still obtain discounted swimming rates by purchasing a Creating Leisure Advantage Card.

Any adult deemed to be on a low income can receive a 50 per cent discount on the Borough's £3.60 fee if they hold one of the cards, which will cost them £1.

Those aged 16 and under and 60 and over will be eligible for a 10 per cent discount after September 5 as long as they have a card, which will cost them £3.

A 10 per cent discount can also be obtained by adult residents holding a £5 card, single parent families holding a £9 card and two-parent families holding a £12 card.