Woking Borough Council criticised for planned leisure cuts

Active Surrey says local community leisure facilities are under threat

An organisation has warned of a "health crisis" amid plans by a bankrupt council to cut local leisure facilities.

Active Surrey has criticised Woking Borough Council for the proposed closures and funding cuts worth £900,000.

The group said Woking had the highest child poverty rate in Surrey.

Council leader Ann-Marie Barker said the authority must make "significant savings".

Active Surrey has condemned the decision for a phased three-year closure of Pool in the Park in Woking.

The organisation said three leisure centres, 13 sports pitches and pavilions, Dance Woking and participation in the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games were all threatened with having funding removed.

Thousands have signed a petition to save the pool, which is under threat due to the financial woes of the local council

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, one local resident said learning to swim was a "life skill".

She said: "Where's the nearest pool? And then how long till that's closed?

"I think it's terrible. I think they really need to rethink that."

Ms Barker said she knew many residents would have "strong views on the proposals, particularly the phased closure of Pool in the Park.

"I totally understand residents' frustration. I don't want to see the pool close and will consider all feasible alternatives to keeping it open.

"Yet the harsh realities are that the council must make significant savings in order to tackle the severe financial crisis that my administration inherited," she said.

She added the council's financial challenges were "so severe" future decisions would not "always align with residents' views."

'Inequalities and hardship'

Active Surrey chief executive Elizabeth Duggan said: "Woking already has the least active children in Surrey, and some of the least active adults."

"The closure of facilities like Pool in the Park will only worsen the health of residents, especially those already facing inequalities and hardship," she added.

Active Surrey has called on the council, local MPs, community leaders, and stakeholders to find "alternative solutions".

On Monday, a 6-week public stakeholder consultation began with the final decision to be made in February 2024.

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