Kenilworth councillors will not have say on reopening of leisure facilities after the national lockdown

By James Smith 5th Aug 2021

Abbey Fields leisure centre may not reopen until proposed building works are completed in December 2022
Abbey Fields leisure centre may not reopen until proposed building works are completed in December 2022

Kenilworth councillors at Warwick District Council (WDC) will not be involved in discussions over the reopening of the leisure facilities at Castle Farm Recreation Ground nor Abbey Fields Leisure Centre following a decision by the council's executive tonight (February 11).

The council's overview and scrutiny committee had recommended that Kenilworth councillors should be consulted over the reopening of the leisure facilities in the town. This recommendation was rejected.

The WDC executive voted today in favour of eight recommendations concerning the development of the Kenilworth Leisure Facilities, one of which concerned the reopening of the two sites.

The original document, as released to the public and the press on the council's website, recommended a blanket closure for both sites.

However, an amendment to this was received during the council's overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday (February 9) which made allowance for a discussion of the reopening to occur as and when the government allow leisure centres to open once more.

The scrutiny committee moved that the amendment have an addition "to include consultation with the leadership co-ordination group, and all Kenilworth district councillors over when and which facilities will reopen."

This recommendation was rejected by the executive, and as such there will not be a formal discussion with Kenilworth councillors over the reopening of the leisure facilities as and when the time is a appropriate.

Portfolio holder for environment & neighbourhood Cllr Alan Rhead (Con, Budbrooke) said: "I find that singling out the Kenilworth councillors is not appropriate at all, this is a matter for the Warwick District as a whole, not for Kenilworth councillors as a whole."

The executive then approved the recommendations before them.

This would mean then, that a decision over the reopening of the Abbey Fields Leisure Centre and the Castle Farm Recreation Centre would be made as and when the government permit such activities to be held again.

The recommendations will now be voted on by the full council at the end of February.

     

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