All change for Swimming Pool

12.00.00am GMT Tue 4th Oct 2005

Cllr Pat Brooks and Phil Chadburn pledging to monitor the level of services provided by SLM.

Liberal Democrats have expressed concern at the decision of Conservative and BNP councillors to privatise the management of council leisure centres including Waltham Abbey Swimming Pool.

"We hope things will go OK but are not convinced the successful bidder, SLM, will give residents and centre users the best deal. SLM were due to take over at the beginning of November but already this timetable has slipped. We will monitor their performance very carefully in order to protect residents' interests," said councillor Pat Brooks.

Waltham Abbey Sports Centre will continue under district council control because the facilities are shared with King Harold School. However the shared use arrangement will expire in 2007. Local Liberal Democrats have asked the Conservative councillor in charge of leisure to reveal his plans for the Sports Centre's future once the agreement ends.