Just When You Thought it Was Free to go to the Pool

Backbench MHKs have hit out at gov plans to offer free after-school sessions at the NSC for excluding other parts of the island which are served by community pools.

For its part, the gov has said the decision to offer free sessions is up to the regional pools themselves.

The DESC announced it would offer free swimming sessions between 4.30pm to 7pm after school from October 31 onwards as part of the warm spaces initiative. 

While the scheme will benefit hundreds of children and families living in Douglas and the surrounding areas, there is not yet a comparative offer for families in the north, west, and south of the island, all of which are served by community pools run by local authorities.

Speaking to Gef, Speaker Juan Watterson said the policy was a ‘classic example of a well-meaning endeavour having unforeseen consequences. 

The Rushen MHK added: ‘It is clear that local pools have issues of both finance and capacity, which are well known to the Department. However, the department has resisted funding local pools to an acceptable standard, opting instead to have an independent report undertaken (the results of which are awaited).

‘Offering free places to people in the East, who do not pay a leisure rate is something of a kick in the teeth to those in the South. Here, we are trying to get an up-to-date facility, and are paying rates for a service the local board is struggling to provide whilst those in Douglas do not pay and will get an enhanced service.’

Finances

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover added to this view, saying: ‘Whilst it appears to be a good idea, the practicalities are somewhat different in the south.’

Mr Glover said that the policy comes at a time when the southern pool is struggling financially ‘due to a lack of central government funding’.

He added: ‘Ratepayers in the south are contributing to the finances of our pool – something which doesn’t happen for ratepayers around the NSC pool which will inevitably add fuel to the all-island leisure rate fire.

‘We are also waiting for the report into swimming pool provision across the island which was promised to be published in late September – I have tabled the following question for next week’s Tynwald sitting:’

Northern Star

Across the true north of the island, there is only one MHK who is not a member of CoMin, Ayre and Michael MHK Tim Johnston. 

Mr Johnston told Gef: ‘If this plan is to deliver against the government’s ‘Warm Spaces Initiative,’ as stated, then I agree it should be rolled out and centrally funded for all of the regional pools. Whilst I acknowledge the NSC is available to all, minimising the cost of travel for families in these challenging times, by allowing the initiative in regional pools is needed. The initiative is well-meaning but poorly thought through.’

He also pointed to the as-yet unpublished report into the island’s pools and the questions this will raise in next week’s Tynwald. 

The Middle Ground

There was some support for the gov’s plans, with Middle MHK Stu Peter saying: ‘I think anything being done to help people face the cost of living crisis is to be welcomed, and hope other boards follow suit, although it’s a matter for them to decide.’

Moorhouse

However, Mr Glover’s constituency colleague Jason Moorhouse said he was ‘rather surprised to see this news release on a Monday afternoon, not long after the final Tynwald Questions had to be submitted’.

The MHK is due to bring a motion to Tynwald on Tuesday next week, calling for an all-island leisure rate and said this policy will add a ‘useful dimension’ to his plan. 

He added: ‘At a time when the Southern Pool management is working hard, to retain the facility with their limited funds, this does look incredibly inequitable. 

‘Whist residents in the south actually contribute annually to the Southern Pool, the DESC is actively publicising the offering at the NSC. There has been no indication that an additional support mechanism is being put in place to ensure an equal offering is available at all the regional pools. Instead, the NSC is potentially attracting incredibly valuable customers from the other pools!

‘For Minister Edge to have such a prominent quote on the statement, at a time when she is discussing the Swimming Pools Report with CoMin and before its wider release is a massive concern.’

The Gov

When we put the concerns that the gov was ignoring children and families around the island by failing to provide funding for the scheme away from Douglas, a DESC spokesman said: ‘The department does not determine how Regional Pools programme their pool or allocate their budget, so any decision would need to be considered by their respective Board. 

‘A policy decision was taken that the NSC had the space and capacity to help and make a difference on quieter term-time evenings. There are no additional costs to the NSC to run this initiative as the pool is heated, water treated, and lifeguards employed no matter how many children attend. The expenditure costs are fixed.’