City sports left with that sinking feeling

A report by Audit Scotland showed the city council spent just 30 per head of population from its own funds on facilities and activities ranging from swimming pools to dance classes - less than any other local authority.

Even when the income from fees and charge ploughed back into recreation is taken into account, Edinburgh's 67 total recreation spending per head is third lowest of all the country's 32 councils.

By contrast, Glasgow council spent 100 per head of its own money and 130 in total. Midlothian's recreation spending totalled 121 per head, including 81 from council funds. West Lothian's totalled 112 per head, including 70 direct funding, and East Lothian spent 107 per head, including 82 from council funds.

Audit Scotland also found Edinburgh had the second highest charges for swimming out of all councils.

Attendances at swimming pools in the Capital were shown as among the lowest in the country, although Audit Scotland added a footnote warning the figures could be unreliable.

The city council established Edinburgh Leisure as a not-for-profit company in 1998 to run its sport and leisure services, but it is currently at the centre of controversy over plans to close popular facilities.

Audit Scotland warned today that while physical exercise was important for people's health, the spending squeeze made it difficult for councils to invest and sustain services.

Labour's recreation spokesman in the city, Gordon Munro, said the council's recent decision to cut 347,000 from Edinburgh Leisure's budget would make the city's record of low spending on recreation even worse.

He said: "The new Playstation generation need to be active and as a lifelong swimmer I'm well aware of the benefits.

"If Scotland is going to have a legacy from the Commonwealth Games in 2014, we need to start investing now."

The city council said it would take on board the findings of the Audit Scotland report.

A spokeswoman said: "We remain determined to encourage as many Edinburgh people as possible to discover the benefits of an active lifestyle."