Tone Leisure cuts battle rages on

2:03pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

MEMBERS of the public are invited to speak their minds when the leisure cuts are considered at two more meetings of Taunton Deane Council tomorrow.

Following the decision of the authority's LibDem executive committee to proceed with the squash courts demolition, two members of the Conservative opposition have decided to 'call in' the move.

That means it will be re-examined by the council's watchdog' committee, the overview and scrutiny board, which is chaired by Conservative group leader Cllr John Williams.

Immediately after that meeting, the matter will again go before the executive, who will have the final say.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Cllr Williams told the County Gazette he was calling in the decision for three reasons.

He said: "The executive has failed to take note of the will of the full council. The motion it passed refers to frustrating' the contract between Tone Leisure and Alliance Leisure, which is carrying out the work on the gyms.

"There is a lack of clarity concerning the continuing provision of crèche facilities. We have requested that the portfolio holder reconsiders these issues.

"We are taking this decision because it has been agreed that there has been a complete lack of consultation with our community."

Council leader Ross Henley said: "This is quite frankly a ridiculous call in by the Conservatives.

"My LibDem group will ensure that the taxpayer will not have to foot a £million bill due to the Conservative motion on the squash courts.

"I'm stunned that Cllr Williams can't see the bigger picture."

The overview and scrutiny board meeting starts at Deane House, Taunton, at 6.15pm and will be followed by the executive meeting. Both are open to the public.