'Leisure centre funding cut was tough decision'

Ex-Conservative Gwilym Butler is hopeful a solution can be found to keep the leisure centre open

The decision to cut funding for a leisure centre has been defended by the former Conservative councillor who was in charge of finance at the time.

Gwilym Butler has spoken out after the not-for-profit organisation that runs the facility in Cleobury Mortimer said last week it would have to hand back the contract to Shropshire Council because of the loss of the £23,500 grant.

Unless a deal is reached or a new provider found, the centre will close on 3 December.

Shropshire Council, run by the Lib-Dems since May, has been facing big cuts to balance its books and stave off bankruptcy, with leader Heather Kidd saying the budget "is so tight, we can't find the extra money" to save the centre.

However, Mr Butler said the previous Tory administration had also faced tough funding decisions.

As chair of the new Cleobury Mortimer Sports and Social Association (CMSS) though, he was hopeful a solution could be found.

He lost his place on the council when the Conservatives were swept from power in the May local elections.

'Horse trading'

In his capacity as chair of CMSS, Mr Butler said a "positive" meeting had been held with Teme leisure, the local MP and Kidd, in the work to find a solution.

"I still think there is a lot of horse trading to be done locally with the partners," he said.

"I don't see any reason why there can't be solutions in Cleobury Mortimer."

Asked if he regretted the decision to cut the funding, he said there had been "very difficult decisions to be made in local government".

In one of his administration's final cabinet meetings, Mr Butler said council officers were challenged to find an alternative to the funding cut, but he noted the leisure centre was not a statutory service, and other departments also needed the money.

"It's very difficult times that we are actually living in," he added.