FREE swimming is to stay for under 16s in Fenland for a month after the Government said it should stop.
Fenland District Council is to ignore the cut off date of July 31 ordered as part of the coalition Government’s crackdown on spending.
Instead Fenland District Council will allow under 16s to use the swimming pools at the local authority’s three leisure centres for an extra month.
Council Leader Alan Melton said today: “Following the Government’s decision to cancel free swimming for over 60s and under 16s from July 31, Fenland District Council has reviewed the situation and I am pleased to announce that although we are going to be unable to continue free swimming for over 60s after July 31, free swimming at our three leisure centres for under 16s will continue until August 31.”
Cllr Melton said the extension of free swimming had been provided “to ensure that children can use our facilities free of charge without having to use or feel they have to use rivers or drains.”
He said it was an initiative “which will have minimal cost for council but I believe children will benefit.”
Cllr Melton urged parents to encourage children to make use of concessionary bus fares to get into one of the pools rather than be tempted to allow them to swimming in rivers or drains.
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