Declares that the Petitioners note that Ennerdale Leisure Centre’s swimming pool is the only swimming facility serving the entire Hull area that is recognised by the Amateur Swimming Association as being of competition standard; further notes that Hull City Council is considering proposals to close Ennerdale’s swimming pool, due to the unfair level of local authority funding cuts that Hull is receiving from the Coalition Government, when compared to far less severe cuts being made to councils in wealthier areas of the country.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to request Hull councillors to work with service users to find ways of saving Ennerdale swimming pool and provide Hull with a fairer deal on funding that will enable Ennerdale swimming pool to remain open, alongside other valued sports and leisure facilities in Hull.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Diana Johnson, Official Report, 4 December 2013; Vol. 571, c. 1050.]
[P001306]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport:
The Government acknowledge the contribution of Ennerdale Leisure Centre to the provision of swimming facilities in Hull.
This Government welcome the news that Hull Clinical Commissioning Group (HCCG) has agreed to fund the swimming pools at Ennerdale Leisure Centre for another year. The decision was reached on the basis the HCCG is involved in further discussions about the future of the facility. Sport England will also be part of the ongoing discussions about swimming facilities in Hull.
Local authorities consider the age, condition and location of sporting and leisure facilities when reviewing their facilities provision. Sport England is aware of the challenges facing local authorities in the current economic climate and is supporting over 80 local authorities to develop a strategic approach to facility provision. This includes Hull City Council, where they provide ongoing advice and support.
Sport England continues to invest in swimming pool provision in England and is investing £5 million to upgrade pool changing provision at 19 pools around England through the Improvement Fund. It is also managing the relocation of nine Olympic legacy swimming pools around the country. The total number of swimming pools in England has increased by 134 since 2011, and currently stands at 5,116.