Last chance for Willenhall Leisure Centre

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Last chance for Willenhall Leisure Centre
Adam Lumley The YamYam 25 Jan 10
Campaigners battling to save Willenhall Leisure Centre have been offered a glimmer of hope by Walsall Council. Leader of the council, Mike Bird has admitted that opponents of the proposed closure have “fair and proper reasons” in wishing to see the baths remain open.

The closure of the Bath Street centre is central to the council’s controversial draft budget which aims to save over £11million with a mixture of redundancies, cuts to services and a council tax increase of an inflation busting 4.26%. After previously telling campaigners to “put up or shut up”, Councillor Bird who represents Pheasey Park Farm for the Conservative Party, has offered an olive branch to opponents.
“I listened to their impassioned plea and they had some fair and proper reasons to keep it open,” he said.

“If all the other leisure facilities in Walsall are being reviewed, then it is only fair that Willenhall is included.”

This latest move towards reconciliation follows talks between Councillor Bird and LibDem Willenhall councillor Ian Shires, who had accused the ruling Tory group of improper conduct during scrutiny procedures involving the axing of the centre. Two days ago, Councillor Shires withdrew his request for an inquiry over the affair saying: “At our meeting Councillor Bird gave me his assurance that his members on the panel were not subject to a party whip. I have known Mike for many years. Our views differ as you would expect, but I have great respect for him, when he gives his word to you he means it and I have never known him break his word to me. As a result I have written to the Council’s Monitoring Officer withdrawing my request for an investigation.”

It is now possible that Willenhall Leisure Centre could be reprieved for at least six months in order to improve its fortunes. Campaigner Diane Coughlan said: “It is by no means a done deal but it does give us some light at the end of the tunnel. If we do get the six months, we will look to bring it in line with leisure centres across the rest of the borough and get as many people through the doors as possible. We are absolutely thrilled by this glimmer of hope, however small.”

Leader Mike Bird has promised to “negotiate” with cabinet over the future of the centre.  

Cllr Ian Shires 26 Jan 10 Window of opportunity needs to be grasped - use it or lose it
Express & Star 25 Jan 10 Rescue hope for leisure centre

YamYam links 23 Jan 10 Walsall councillor withdraws request for scrutiny conduct inquiry
Express & Star 22 Jan 10 Axe looms over Walsall swimming pools
Cllr Ian Shires 22 Jan Some hope for Willenhall centre?
YamYam 20 Jan Walsall awash with swimming pools says council
Ian Shires blog 20 Jan Comments: Council counting private pools
Yahoo groups Pooling resources

B'ham Mail 24 Dec Willenhall Leisure Centre facing closure
Express & Star 17 Dec 09 Pensioners join fight for Willenhall Leisure Centre
Cllr Ian Shires 14 Dec Is there a glimmer of hope for Willenhall's Leisure Centre?
Cllr Ian Shires 11 Dec Scrutiny process reduced to farce
Cllr Ian Shires 10 Dec Concern expressed as plans to develop LNPs unveiled

The YamYam 8 Dec Council boss says “put up or shut up”
Cllr Ian Shires 8 Dec Community condemn plans to close Willenhall's leisure centre
Cllr Ian Shires 7 Dec Attempts to debate Leisure Centre closure rejected
Express & Star 2 Dec Council spent £200k on doomed Willenhall centre
Cllr Ian Shires 2 Dec The nonsense of scrutiny
The YamYam 30 Nov Walsall councillors scrutinise budget
Express & Star 30 Nov Campaigners step up Willenhall leisure centre fight
Cllr Ian Shires 30 Nov Comment: the theory and practice in health equalities

YamYam 23 Nov Willenhall closure “sheer vandalism” says MP
Cllr Ian Shires 19 Nov Cabinet votes down demands on closure of Willenhall Leisure Centre
Walsall Council Cabinet report 18 Nov Draft Corporate Revenue Budget for Consultation PDF
Express & Star 13 Nov Willenhall leisure centre users’ fury at closure plans
Walsall Council 13 Nov Have your say on leisure facilities online questionnaire
Express & Star 12 Nov Willenhall leisure centre axe plan
Express & Star 12 Nov Battle vow on plans to shut down centre
Cllr Ian Shires 12 Nov Willenhall Leisure Centre singled out

Express & Star 13 Oct Major review brings fears for Willenhall swimming pool
BrownhillsBob 19 Sep Comment: And so it begins
YamYam 19 Sep Walsall leisure centres under threat
YamYam links 9 Sep Cash crisis at Walsall Council

Walsall Council Willenhall Local Neighbourhood Partnership (LNP)
Walsall Council Willenhall Leisure Centre

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