LIB DEM COMMENTS ON SCRUTINY OF LEISURE INVESTMENT PLANS (Southwark Liberal Democrats)

Southwark Liberal Democrats <info@southwark-libdems.org.uk>

LIB DEM COMMENTS ON SCRUTINY OF LEISURE INVESTMENT PLANS

March 13, 2007 12:00 AM

Following the decision of Southwark Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee to endorse the Executive's proposal to invest £12.3 million in Southwark's leisure centres, Cllr Tim McNally, Liberal Democrat member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said:

"This was a good Scrutiny meeting which addressed the concerns of councillors and residents about the future Camberwell Leisure Centre. We heard an excellent presentation of the Strategy by the Executive Member Lorraine Zuleta, officers and consultants and the comprehensive business case which councillors wanted to see was given to us."

"We welcomed Cllr Zuleta's commitment to keep the centre open and to work with the stakeholders to find partners and funding for the regeneration of the Camberwell centre. The unanimous cross-party support for the motion endorsing Leisure Investment Programme shows the Council's commitment to providing 21st Century leisure centres."

Cllr Lorraine Zuleta, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sports, said:

"I am delighted that the Scrutiny committee has given an endorsement to our efforts to seek a long term solution to Camberwell Leisure Centre's funding needs."

"As became clear last night, this centre was neglected for many years by Labour who felt that money was better spent elsewhere for political reasons. In 1998, they even voted to close and sell off Camberwell Leisure Centre."

"I am delighted that the Liberal Democrats have guaranteed the future of the centre as a 21st century leisure facility. We will continue working with all our partners to make sure the best possible community use is made of this building and that leisure services are at the heart of it."