Keep leisure centre crèches or I'll quit says Labour chief

Published on Wednesday 10 February 2010 09:07

THE company that manages the Capital's sports facilities is set to face a third boardroom resignation in a week if leisure centre crèches are not saved.

Labour councillor Paul Godzik has said he intends to stand down from the board of Edinburgh Leisure if no money is ring-fenced in tomorrow's budget to save the four remaining crches. He also today blamed the city council for "death by a thousands cuts".

News of Cllr Godzik's proposed departure from the 14-member board comes just days after the announcement that chief executive Keith Jackson and chairman Robert Yates are to stand down.

Cllr Godzik, who is also culture and leisure spokesman for the Labour group on the council, said: "We are increasingly concerned at the way the organisation has been treated by the administration.

"It is a death by a thousand cuts and services are continually having to be cut.

"The organisation is coming under more pressure financially and that cannot continue without services being affected."

In proposals expected to be confirmed on Thursday, Edinburgh Leisure's budget will be reduced by 349,000 – 4 per cent.

To cut costs, Edinburgh Leisure announced that its four crches – which attract only 200 visits a week – would close.

The Labour group on the council has proposed ring-fencing 135,000 for the crches, at Ainslie Park, Drumbrae and Gracemount leisure centres as well as Portobello Swim Centre.

It is also backing a proposal by the Save Our Crche campaign, which suggests charging users a higher rate for the crches.

It is understood that there are growing tensions between the council and some senior staff at Edinburgh Leisure.

Sources say delays by the council in appointing a contractor to work at Warrender Swim Centre has meant Edinburgh Leisure will lose 300,000 in revenue, which insurers are unlikely to cover.

City leaders and Edinburgh Leisure played down concerns. Councillor Deidre Brock, the culture and leisure leader, said Cllr Godzik was among the Edinburgh Leisure board members who backed plans to close crches in November.

Cllr Brock said: "All councils are faced with some very difficult decisions in setting their budgets this year, but we continue to work closely with partner organisations like Edinburgh Leisure to help minimise the impact on services where possible."

An Edinburgh Leisure spokeswoman said: "The only change to Edinburgh Leisure services in the forthcoming financial year is the proposed closure of our crche services.

"Edinburgh Leisure has 80,000 visits per week and our crche provides a service for up to 200 visits each week."