People power triumphs in the battle of crèches (From Somerset County Gazette)

People power triumphs in the battle of crèches

8:55pm Tuesday 15th July 2008 in News By Alex Cameron

PEOPLE power has triumphed in a battle to stop the axe falling on crèche facilities and discounts for the elderly at sports centres in Taunton and Wellington.

Tone Leisure - which runs Blackbrook Pavilion, Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Taunton, and Wellington Sports Centre on behalf of Taunton Deane Council - sparked a storm of protest after it unveiled plans to axe its crèches, change the rules on discounts for older people, and replace its Blackbrook squash courts with a bigger gym.

At a raucous meeting of Taunton Deane Council this evening, members narrowly passed a motion to give Tone Leisure enough money to prevent the removal of the crèche facilities and the concessions to elderly people.

The motion also said squash players should be consulted and should 'accept the proposals for change' before the last public courts in Taunton are removed.

That could mean council tax payers are hit in the pocket by penalty clauses as contractors, who were due to start removing the courts within days, are stopped in their tracks.

Around 70 members of the public jammed into the newly renamed John Meikle Room at Deane House to voice impassioned pleas to reverse the decision.

They were supporting a motion tabled by Cllr John Williams, leader of the Conservative opposition, against the changes.

Cllr Williams admitted he had been at fault, as chairman of the council's overview and scrutiny committee, in not calling the proposals into question previously.

The motion was carried by 26 votes to 21.

After the meeting, delighted Staplegrove resident Clare Wrelton, who has helped spearhead opposition to the crèche closures, told the County Gazette: "I'm overwhelmed - it's fantastic news."

For a full report of the meeting, don't miss the County Gazette on Thursday.

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