1,000 people call for free swimming in Weymouth and Portland (From Dorset Echo)

Free swimming is available NOW in Weymouth Bay and other areas around the local coast.

However, he said the potential loss of trade for Osprey Leisure Centre on Portland was his primary concern because it does not qualify for the scheme as it is not council-owned.
So if its not council owned then why is Coun Goodman concerned surely his task is to represent the majority of residents in the area not support a private concern.


He said he had encountered ‘no evidence’ to indicate there would be a dramatic increase in swimming if the scheme was backed.
So what is the problem it won't cost that much then.
Every child under 16 and every adult over 60 is being shafted by our council to protect a private concern (Osprey swimming pool). And the issue needs to be raised at government level.

This is another financial burden for W&PBC waiting to happen at the end of 2 years.

1000 signatures? Hardly overwhelming public support.

I reckon I could get more than 1000 to say that they aren't really that bothered about swimming in a pool of water that people sweat and urinate in.

And I reckon I could get 1000 people to mock the recent front page article involving Gordon Brown and Jim Knight complaining that the local council aren't playing along with the "free" swimming offer. They didn't mention that (like every other "free" offer) IT'S NOT FREE

Ask Archie, why is it another burden waiting to happen? All that was needed was to accept the financing on offer making it clear that it was only available for that two year period. The offer would then cease unless the Government wanted to extend that period and provide the extra money again.

I Don't Like.... agreed nothing is free. This money has been provided for out of the Income Tax etc most of us pay. So even if some people take it as a victory that the scheme won't be in operation here you're still paying for free swimming for virtually every other area around the country. That money has been allocated for this purpose and it will be spent. It just won't be spent to benefit residents of Weymouth and Portland. I think it's called cutting your nose off to spite your face.

Your right Genghis I just don't understand why people can't see it, its a bit like standing in a forest & saying you can't see the wood for the tree's, the cost is not the factor here its the pool at Osprey they are protecting & I for one don't care two hoots about Osprey if it was open to the general public like Knightsdale Rd it would be a different matter, instead it is used by clubs, so every over 60 is being penalised so that Osprey can stay open for the few. All the council have to do is say we will implement the scheme for over 60s & under 16s provided it is 100% financed by the government & make sure that a good record is kept & at the end of the day the books match up.
Either we own Osprey or we don't if the later is true then we have no responsibility to Osprey & should not be protecting them. If the council are going down the road of protecting private concerns then why didn't they buy Woolworths or any other business, the whole thing stinks of corruption.
They expect us to bend over backwards for the bloody Olympics but a little bit of free swimming & we stand no chance, well they know what they can do with the bloody Olympics they won't get any help or co-operation from me.

what is the point in spending £1million pounds on promoting sport and then not accepting money for free swimming? as usual this chip-shop council have got their heads in the clouds. the real issue here is that (and as the national press have stated) the funding that will be provided for this scheme will not cover the entire cost. therefore, councillors will need to find the extra from some where... perhaps they should start with reducing their exspenses that WE pay for. why would you ever think that for one minute Coucillors are not in it for their own personal gain...

I sent a letter to the Echo over two weeks ago to say why I was against this scheme. It was obvious that it wouldn't get printed, so I have added it below.
While it is commendable that the Echo supports a local campaign, I feel that its efforts could be better spent campaigning for something that isn’t going to cost the hard pressed residents of our borough, like the FREE swimming.
Gordon Brown is perplexed with our decision because it would get more people into the water in Weymouth. I am perplexed that he has failed to see that we are a seaside town with a wonderful bay and beach.
Of course our local MP and our Prime minister are going to back one of their hair brained, injudicious schemes to win the grey vote. Just like their FREE concessionary bus scheme which now costs us council tax payers the best part of half a million pounds per year. I also find it quite laughable that Tessa Jowell, is slating the council for their short sightedness. Is this the same Tessa Jowell that presented an award to Weymouth and Portland for its work on the Olympic legacy?
No one can say that Weymouth and Portland Council are not committed to providing swimming facilities. It was funding from this Council that helped to keep the Boscawen swimming pool open after the Navy had left.
As I have said many times before, there is no such thing as FREE. Someone somewhere has to pay for it and as an elected member I am not prepared to commit any more of my residents’ Council tax money to fund such a scheme.
Just to put the record straight, here are the reasons why I do not agree with the scheme:
1. The Council were only given a short period of time to express an interest in the pot of money that was available for the FREE swimming for the over 60’s.
2. We were not assured that the scheme would be fully funded
3. It was only local authority facilities that were eligible for the funding. As the Boscawen is run by a trust, they would receive nothing; neither would other facilities such as those at the Rembrandt.
4. Only those authorities who applied for the over 60’s swimming would be eligible to apply for the second pot of money to fund FREE swimming for the under 16’s
5. The funding was only guaranteed for two years. What happens then?

In a nutshell, this scheme is unfunded and pure electioneering. Isn’t it about time that this government did something meaningful like cutting the ever increasing business rates to stimulate our local economy which is our Council’s number one priority, rather than doing what they do best, which is spending our money for us under the guise of a FREE gift?
In his own words, Andy Burnham, the minister for Culture, media and sport said, and I quote, “We were keen that the programme should encourage local authorities to put in additional funding and to stimulate partnership”. He goes on to say, “Our analysis suggests that the money will meet the large majority of the costs to local authorities”.
If the government has money to throw away, why don’t they invite ALL sporting clubs to apply direct to them for funding which would provide, training, coaching and facilities? This would benefit people of ALL age groups and ALL abilities.
Andy Burnham accuses the council of being short sighted. Well Mr Burnham, my eye sight is good enough to see through your devious scheme to spend even more money that we haven’t got, in order to win you some votes

Well Mr James funding is only guaranteed for two years. So you make sure that everybody is aware that it is only for two years.

As for the Government yes I find it hard to trust anything they do. Of all politicians however the ones I find least untrustworthy are the ones with two faces that get elected for one party and then disenfranchising their constituents by switching to a party they didn't vote for. I'll take the Government's motives with a pinch of salt but I wouldn't trust you, Munro or the other turncoat with a blank piece of paper. I'm more suspicious of you three than I am of the Government so excuse me if I treat your statement with the contempt it deserves. Never trust turncoats because if they betray you once they will have no qualms betraying you again and again.

So the problem is that Osprey pool is privately owned and could be affected by free swimming at Knightsdale Road. Which councillors are involved in the Osprey pool ownership? Is this another question of hidden interests, rather like Councillor Mrs James promoting the Kings Statue regeneration scheme when she owns a cafe within 50 yards of it? Who are the councillors with interests in Osprey pool?

I sent a letter to the Echo over two weeks ago to say why I was against this scheme.
It would appear that the Echo have the same opinion of Ian James as the majority of decent honest people neither him or the other lying scumbags are to be trusted & anything they say should be treated with a pinch of salt. How can the idiot compare the pool at the Rembrant or the one that Joe Bloggs has got in his back garden with Knghtsdale Rd or Osprey, it is simply & purely a case of protectionism by our council to protect the income of Osprey. Perhaps they should ask the people at Warmwell leisure centre how they feel about it as well, they might not like the idea either.
I don't understand why our council can't afford to do anything there would seem to be an inherent problem with our finances perhaps it is time to scrap Portland Town Council & Weymouth & Portland Borough Council & integrate with West Dorset that way we could get rid of the likes of James/Munro & the other liabilities on the council & the money we save could pay for the bus passes or even free swimming.
PS I also object to the inference that because HE sent a letter it should be printed, take note Mr editor your card has been marked.

Genghis wrote:
Well Mr James funding is only guaranteed for two years. So you make sure that everybody is aware that it is only for two years. As for the Government yes I find it hard to trust anything they do. Of all politicians however the ones I find least untrustworthy are the ones with two faces that get elected for one party and then disenfranchising their constituents by switching to a party they didn't vote for. I'll take the Government's motives with a pinch of salt but I wouldn't trust you, Munro or the other turncoat with a blank piece of paper. I'm more suspicious of you three than I am of the Government so excuse me if I treat your statement with the contempt it deserves. Never trust turncoats because if they betray you once they will have no qualms betraying you again and again.

Sorry, I did mean more untrustworthy.

It's such a shame to read such remarks from three people who hide behind a pseudonym. It's easy to abuse someone when you remain anonymous. At least I have the guts to put my name to what I believe in.
Weymouth Fox, if you would care to read the minutes from every council meeting that involves the King George square, you will note that both my wife and myself have and will continue to declare a personal and prejudicial interest.
As for Ghengis and Mikeman; It's very brave of you to hide behind a keyboard and make your childish remarks if you have a personal grudge against me, at least identify yourselves.

Ian J wrote:
It's such a shame to read such remarks from three people who hide behind a pseudonym. It's easy to abuse someone when you remain anonymous. At least I have the guts to put my name to what I believe in. Weymouth Fox, if you would care to read the minutes from every council meeting that involves the King George square, you will note that both my wife and myself have and will continue to declare a personal and prejudicial interest. As for Ghengis and Mikeman; It's very brave of you to hide behind a keyboard and make your childish remarks if you have a personal grudge against me, at least identify yourselves.

I don't hide behind anything as your fellow turncoat Mr Munro can tell you. I don't have a personal grudge against you but I do have a grudge against three dishonest men that have proved democracy is a complete and utter farce. That the politicians of whatever colour can't be trusted. Politicians like the three turncoats that hid behind the colours of others and only revealed their true colours after the election are the ones I will trust the least. You can't even do the decent thing and resign and let your constituents decide. So don't lecture on cowardice when you three are the biggest cowards on W&PBC.

So you'll just have to accept that people will not trust you ever again. How can we ever be certain that anything you say isn't just another pack of lies?

Genghis wrote:

Ian J wrote: It's such a shame to read such remarks from three people who hide behind a pseudonym. It's easy to abuse someone when you remain anonymous. At least I have the guts to put my name to what I believe in. Weymouth Fox, if you would care to read the minutes from every council meeting that involves the King George square, you will note that both my wife and myself have and will continue to declare a personal and prejudicial interest. As for Ghengis and Mikeman; It's very brave of you to hide behind a keyboard and make your childish remarks if you have a personal grudge against me, at least identify yourselves.

I don't hide behind anything as your fellow turncoat Mr Munro can tell you. I don't have a personal grudge against you but I do have a grudge against three dishonest men that have proved democracy is a complete and utter farce. That the politicians of whatever colour can't be trusted. Politicians like the three turncoats that hid behind the colours of others and only revealed their true colours after the election are the ones I will trust the least. You can't even do the decent thing and resign and let your constituents decide. So don't lecture on cowardice when you three are the biggest cowards on W&PBC. So you'll just have to accept that people will not trust you ever again. How can we ever be certain that anything you say isn't just another pack of lies?

Well said Genghis, it would appear the truth hurts but what goes around comes around so we will have our day along with all decent folk.

The fact remains, "free" swimming is not fully funded by central government and could be quite expensive for a resort like Weymouth. It is unlikely to be funded after two years given current government finances. Weymouth should prioritise the services for disadvantaged seniors and others which have been under so much pressure rather than go along with this initiative however desirable it might appear.
As for the Boscawen issue, it is right for the council to consider how any decision might affect businesses in the borough. However it seems strange that loss of trade for the Osprey centre should be anyone's main concern when the financial position is so tough. One trusts councillors will be so considerate when other matters come up for consideration!

Can I just ask why people are moaning about not getting something they blatantly dont need????? Wanna swim for free? THE PLACE IS SURROUNDED BY BEACHES AND SEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!

misery guts, Dorchester see my post at 10:57am Fri 3 Apr 09

Genghis wrote:

Ian J wrote: It's such a shame to read such remarks from three people who hide behind a pseudonym. It's easy to abuse someone when you remain anonymous. At least I have the guts to put my name to what I believe in. Weymouth Fox, if you would care to read the minutes from every council meeting that involves the King George square, you will note that both my wife and myself have and will continue to declare a personal and prejudicial interest. As for Ghengis and Mikeman; It's very brave of you to hide behind a keyboard and make your childish remarks if you have a personal grudge against me, at least identify yourselves.

I don't hide behind anything as your fellow turncoat Mr Munro can tell you. I don't have a personal grudge against you but I do have a grudge against three dishonest men that have proved democracy is a complete and utter farce. That the politicians of whatever colour can't be trusted. Politicians like the three turncoats that hid behind the colours of others and only revealed their true colours after the election are the ones I will trust the least. You can't even do the decent thing and resign and let your constituents decide. So don't lecture on cowardice when you three are the biggest cowards on W&PBC. So you'll just have to accept that people will not trust you ever again. How can we ever be certain that anything you say isn't just another pack of lies?

The Gospel according to Genghis strikes again!!