Today’s meeting of Cabinet confirmed what is already known, that the council is to close Sherburn, Ferryhill and Crook leisure centres.

Abbey is reprieved, but Cabinet refused to remove the word “temporary” from the report which means that whilst we have won the battle to save Abbey, the war goes on so to speak. That said, this will be a constructive process. Your Lib Dem county councillors will be working with the steering group we are members of, the county council and staff to find a solution to the requirement to bring down costs at the centre.

I personally believe that there are a huge number of ways that income can be increased and costs reduced and in the coming weeks we will be putting these to the council and have been promised their commitment. However until this trust is repaid with investment and action I will remain sceptical about the long term future of the centre in the Council’s hands.

The Council says that the centre will have to run on lower opening hours. Ensuring that this is done in the best way possible for users of the centre is one of the areas where we will be concentrating our efforts.

I would urge everyone to visit the centre, check out what is on at www.durham.gov.uk/sports and join in so that together we can turn the centre into at least a break even situation.

Your local councillors are committed to putting in neighbourhood budget money to improve the centre once we can be sure of teh councils commitment. This includes my redline of wanting a dedicated youth gym facility.