Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Robert Neill and Alec Shelbrooke
Robert Neill
My hon. Friend is quite right. The Government have made it abundantly clear that significant sums are held by local authorities in reserves, much of which is not allocated. Sensible use of those funds at a time of financial crisis would enable councils to protect their front-line services.
Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)
16. What recent representations he has received on local authority funding for leisure facilities.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill)
We have received four parliamentary questions and a number of letters that included references to local leisure facilities.
Alec Shelbrooke
May I urge the Minister to take a closer look at Labour-led Leeds city council, which is cutting funding to Garforth leisure centre in my constituency yet continues to waste taxpayers’ money, such as £6 million on new furniture?
Robert Neill
I hope the council did not go to the same suppliers that gave our Department the sofas and the peace pod. I note that Leeds city council has £32 million in its reserves, and I hope that it might consider a use for that money to support facilities in my hon. Friend’s constituency.