Campaigners seek solution in council swim charge row

Campaigners seek solution in council swim charge row

24 June 2015

ONGOING negotiations about the future of private swimming lessons in Downpatrick could finally mean a successful end to a spirited community campaign.

Hopes are high that a resolution may be found next Monday night to the crisis affecting private lessons, which have been under threat for several months after Newry Mourne and Down Council attempted to impose a hike in fees.

The council has proposed the introduction of a tax of £4.80 for children wanting to access its facilities for private lessons.

This would be in addition to the normal entrance charge for parents and children, plus the private tutor’s fee, and would bring the price of a 20-minute lesson to around £20.

The proposal has outraged hundreds of parents who currently use the private system for children’s swimming lessons. Almost 1,000 parents have joined a Facebook campaign lobbying for their retention without additional fees.

The issue will come before the council on Monday evening when parents and a representative for private swimming instructors will each be given five minutes to present their case.

It is understood that behind the scenes negotiations in the run-up to Monday’s meeting have involved the development of a new pricing model that would minimise or remove the new door tax and instead recoup this money directly from instructors.

Councillor Laura Devlin, who has been working with parents to find a resolution, said she had been involved in protracted negotiations with many individuals about the issue and was hopeful an end was in sight.

“I really hope a resolution is found for the greater good of all those learning to swim in the district,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the parents on Monday evening will be Ballykinlar mum Alisa Keane, who has spearheaded the campaign against a price hike for parents.

She believes the council should do everything in its power to make swimming lessons easily and cheaply available and is, like many parents, angry that increased entrance fees to the leisure centre will curb the numbers learning the lifesaving skill.

“As the council does not current provide one-to-one lessons, parents, including parents with disabled children, have no choice but to go to private tutors in council pools,” she said.

“We believe councillors and the council have a responsibility to protect parents and their children against any further extortionate fee increases.”

Meanwhile, Aurla McLaughlin will present the instructors’ views to the council. She is expected to make a number of recommendations that she hopes may lead to a solution for everyone involved.

Monday’s meeting will begin at 6pm.