Squash court hopes dashed, talks in store on creches

5:56pm Thursday 17th July 2008

HOPES that Taunton's last public squash courts had won a stay of execution were dashed today, amid fears that postponing their demolition would cost taxpayers up to £500,000.

The move comes in the aftermath of huge public opposition to plans by Tone Leisure, which operates sports centres in Taunton and Wellington on behalf of Taunton Deane Council, to close its crèches, alter subsidies to older people, and replace the squash courts at Blackbrook Pavilion with a bigger gym.

As reported, at a meeting of the full Taunton Deane Council on Tuesday, a motion tabled by the leader of the Conservative opposition, Cllr John Williams, was passed by 26 votes to 21.

The terms of the motion were to provide Tone Leisure with enough money so it can retain the crèches and subsidies to older people.

The motion also appeared to be a stay of execution for the squash courts, saying that players should understand and accept the reasons for their removal before the builders moved in.

But yesterday it emerged that the motion was not binding and council red tape means only the authority's executive committee - which is similar to the Government's cabinet - has the power to implement the motion.

At a special meeting of the executive - which is made up only of LibDem councillors - members passed a new resolution.

The result of the new motion is that the demolition of the squash courts is once again set to go ahead as planned, starting on July 28, and that talks with a view to retaining the crèches and the subsidies for older people should be pursued.

Today, a council spokesman said: "The motion, although carried by a majority of councillors, was not binding as the full council does not have the power of implementation. Full council is responsible for budget-setting and policy decisions only.

"The motion would have materially affected the contract between Tone Leisure and Alliance Leisure which, if breached, would result in the council being liable for significant financial penalties for breach of contract.

"This matter was considered by the executive as a matter of urgency due to contracts starting on site shortly."

The ball is now back in the court of the Conservatives on the council because under the authority's rules, Cllr John Williams, as chair of the overview and scrutiny committee, can 'call-in' executive decisions like last night's and re-examine them.

Cllr Williams has until noon on Wednesday, July 23, to take that decision and if needed, the meeting would take place the next day at 6.15pm.

It would then be followed immediately by another meeting of the executive - and the decision of executive councillors at that time would be final.

Today, Taunton Deane Council confirmed that if the squash court contract was broken, the council could potentially be liable for damages in the region of £400,000 and legal costs estimated at £100,000.

Today, council leader Cllr Ross Henley said: "I did warn of this at the meeting but the Consevatives did not seem to be listening.

"I refuse to allow the taxpayer be exposed to half a million pounds in losses because of the Conservative motion trying to delay works to refurbish the gym.

"I called a special meeting of the executive of the council to overturn the part of the motion and the executive passed this new motion to allow the works to take place.

"We all agree that there should be no cuts in OAP subsidies and we should keep the crèches open."

"I hope the Tories will not now call in my decision to save the taxpayer around half a million pounds."

For more information, keep reading this website and read the County Gazette on Thursday, July 24.

Don't miss the a special report on Tuesday's meeting in today's County Gazette.

This evening, Cllr Williams told the County Gazette: "I'm extremely disappointed. At the executive meeting I offered to work with the administration and Tone Leisure to bring together groups who are most affected.

"This would have been to try and come up with some resolutions and at least make sure people had felt involved but this was discounted. The lack of consultation has been appalling.

"The proposal would have allowed an examination of the situation without threatening the authority with penalties."

Cllr Williams said he would have liked to have approached the contractors to see if they would have allowed a delay to the work while alternatives were sought, without invoking the costly penalty causes.

"We are dealing with reputable contractors and if you don't ask, you don't know.

"The current position is non-committal on the future of the crèches and the discounts for older people, which I'm sure will be hugely disappointing to people in the community."

Cllr Williams said he was still considering whether to call in' last night's decision and was gathering the information needed to make the decision.

"I'm not about to put the taxpayer at risk of a £400,000 bill," he added.