Plymouth councillors try to force cuts U-turn over child leisure passes
LABOUR councillors in Plymouth are determined to reverse plans to axe free leisure passes for children in care.
Campaigner Nicky Wildy, chairman of the children and young people scrutiny panel, said the council had an obligation to provide the free scheme.
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CAMPAIGNER: Councillor Nicky Wildy
The Herald reported last week that the initiative had been pulled along with free swimming for the under 16s and over 60s because of budget cuts by the coalition Government.
Councillor Wildy has filed a motion with the authority to have the pass, which gives children in care free access to Plymouth City Council leisure centre's, restored.
"It is for the council to determine what it spends its money on," she said.
"When it cares for children we are responsible just like every other parent in the city.
"We say it is a pity the Government isn't providing the money but we still want our kids to be able to go swimming and to leisure centres."
The motion calls for the free pass to be reintroduced and asks for details of how the scheme will be funded to be presented at the next meeting of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel.
It also asks the council to confirm its commitment to honour The Plymouth Pledge, a document outlining how the city can best support young people in care.
The Devonport ward councillor believes the motion will receive the full backing of Plymouth's Labour councillors.
"We haven't accepted this lying down," she said. "Labour councillors feel very strongly we have a real obligation towards not only to these children in care but also to their foster parents to ensure they have every chance to be around other children in the city."
The motion will be heard at the next council meeting on August 2.
4 Comments
by Mike, Currently in Tenerife
Monday, July 26 2010, 4:56PM
“Is this the same council that could find taxpayers money to send MrsP and the chief exec on a freebie jolly to South Africa?
We still haven't been told the real cost to the taxpayer eg allowances and subsistence and any other perks.
If Mrs P is hoping that we will let this disgraceful matter rest she can think again.”
by johnno, pennycomequick
Monday, July 26 2010, 3:48PM
“Well done Nicky , keep up the good work , you have fought well for Devonport ,”
by Boris Napper, Eddystone Lighthouse
Monday, July 26 2010, 11:04AM
“Oh stop dripping you bleeding heart!
Go and save some kids in Africa or something if you feel that strongly.”
by sweet lucy, plymouth
Monday, July 26 2010, 9:23AM
“These children are the responsibility of us all .They have done nothing wrong just been unlucky in who brought them into this world (our World).They have enough neglect in their lives,now we want to show them more neglect.Shame on those who even sugested cutting it,would they stop their own children from going swimming etc.I think not”