Councils have welcomed government plans for free swimming – providing it is properly funded. Local Government Association spokesman on sport, Cllr Chris White, said councils would ‘work with the Government to put in place a workable system for distributing the limited two-year funding'. However, LGA director of finance, Stephen Jones, said the Government should get its message straight on charging. Last month, local government minister John Healey called on councils to raise more cash through charging and trading. Now, the Government has announced its plans cut swimming fees for the over 60s. Mr Jones said this was an example of the ‘constraints' put on council powers to set fees and charges by central government. Mr Jones says: ‘There are massive contradictions in government policy – they don't seem to be able to make up their minds if they want to control charges or they want councils to do it. ‘If you want the councils to charge properly, give councils the control to do it.' Last week, the Government announced an extra £140m to boost sports and offer free swimming to the over 60s – with plans to extend it to everyone by 2012. Launching the scheme, culture secretary Andy Burnham said: ‘My ambition is that by 2012 as many areas as possible open their public pools for free.' Wokingham BC welcomed the announcement, but called for the cash to make it a reality. Wokingham BC's leader David Lee said: ‘I think it's a great idea to bring in free swimming for our older residents, but it must be funded properly.' Many councils already offer free swimming to the elderly, or to under 16s.
