Tuesday 28th November 2006

“There has been an overwhelming reaction from my constituents to the outrageous proposal by North Wiltshire District Council to close three of our local leisure centres,” said North Wiltshire MP James Gray, speaking from Westminster last night. “I have been contacted by hundreds of people - including children as young as four - expressing their disappointment at the suggestion that these facilities might be closed down.”

“I would like to assure my constituents that I will be doing everything I can to help them save the three centres at Wootton Bassett, Calne and Cricklade which are of such benefit and give such pleasure to so many people. It is simply outrageous that North Wiltshire District Council should spring this upon us with so little warning. These closures could happen as early as next week and so there is great urgency to find a solution to the crisis. That is precisely what I am hoping to help do at the meeting at Lime Kiln, Wootton Bassett on Thursday evening.”

Letter to constituents:

Thank you for your email about the outrageous plans to close the leisure centres in Wootton Bassett as well as in Cricklade and Calne.

I am absolutely horrified by the suggestion and promise to do all I can to persuade the authorities to reverse the decision or to find some other solution to it.

As I understand the situation, I am particularly concerned about three aspects. First, North Wiltshire District Council cut the funding necessary to keep the leisure centres going, thereby “strangling the baby at birth.” Secondly, I understand there have been a number of problems with the detailed management of the leisure centres which has been contributory to their closure. And thirdly, I am particularly critical of the timing of the announcement, which comes about as a result of the District Council trying to sweep these problems under the carpet and which has effectively prevented local people from taking urgent action to save the leisure centres.

It seems clear to me that North Wiltshire Leisure Services have been run down and that this is directly attributable to North Wiltshire District Council.

As a first step towards finding out how I can help, I will be attending the general meeting at Lime Kiln on Thursday at 7.30pm and thereafter will do anything and everything I can to correct this absurd situation.