CONTROVERSIAL proposals to close down leisure facilities to save money have been criticised by councillors.

The closure of Shelton Pool and Stoke Recreation Centre is part of a package of potential cuts identified by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to help save almost £45 million over the next three years.

But members of the adults and older people's well-being overview and scrutiny committee hit out at the proposals at a meeting yesterday.

Councillor Pauline Joynson, pictured, who represents Stoke and Trent Vale, said: "The recreation centre is the only thing Stoke has got. To take yet another thing out would be absolutely disgraceful.

"Whose assumptions are we working to on these savings, and why should we trust them as they have been wrong in the past? I want to see line-by-line how much money is going in and how much is going out.

"We're talking about people's health. A lot goes on in that building and there's nowhere else for it all to go."

According to a report prepared for the meeting, closing the Booth Street centre would save £220,000 over three years.

Councillor Derek Capey, cabinet member for sport, leisure, parks and open spaces, said: "The decision has not been made and people are jumping on it as if it has. The building is about 130 years old and has never been suitable, in my opinion, for sports and leisure.

"It is losing money and has done for seven years, as the squash court can't be used because of asbestos in the ceiling. Apart from the gun club, there's nothing there that can't be done at Fenton just up the road."

Closing Shelton Pool would save the council £242,000 over three years, according to the report. Councillor Barbara Beeston said: "It's good for the elderly, the disabled and babies because it's not as daunting as the bigger pools. The majority of people have said they would be quite willing to pay a small fee to use it.

"I want to know what it would cost to bring the building up to standard."

Head of community services Ian Van Arkadie said: "Shelton Pool is incurring significant operating costs and there are major issues with the maintenance of the building."

Tony Oakman, director of adult social care, health and communities, added: "It would cost £750,000 to get the building up to standard and it is only a mile-and-a-half from Fenton."

The committee also discussed moving Stoke Gymnastics Club, currently based in Newcastle Street, Burslem, to the town's Dimensions Leisure Centre.

Councillor Roger Ibbs said: "It's going to be an unpopular move if we can't demonstrate that the facilities we are providing as an alternative are at least as good if not better."

Councillor Capey said: "The gym centre building has got some problems – we had a new roof put on two or three years ago, but it still leaks. It's about 100 years ago and it's got high ceilings so it's difficult to heat. We've got a meeting set up in January to take the club round Dimensions."

Anger at pool closure: Page 8