Derby TUSC: Save Moorways pool and sports centre
Chris Fernandez
Derby Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) supporters started canvassing early in the New Year to fight the closure of Moorways swimming pool and also Moorways sports centre both in Allenton, Derby.
Before Christmas, workers at the sports centre were only told that their jobs would be cut the day before the news went to press.
The day it was announced we set up a stall in Allenton with our banner and petition. We got an excellent response.
6,000 signatures
In the space of a few weeks an online petition has been signed by over 6,000 people who have forced the council to debate the issue on 28 January. Campaigners will lobby this debate.
The sports centre is set to close on 31 March, with the swimming pool closure set to follow – though, thanks to the public response, the council now “may well look at” keeping the pool open for an extra year.
Councillor Alison Martin, cabinet member responsible for leisure, told the Derby Evening Telegraph that keeping the pool open for another three years would cost at least £1.6 million.
Derby TUSC calls on the council to use its £7.1 million reserves to prevent these cuts. This should be alongside setting a budget that meets the needs of our communities. That would then signal the start of a serious campaign to force central government to make up any shortfall in future funding.