The Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee at Central Bedfordshire Council met this week to discuss cost-cutting proposals amid budget shortfalls. With millions needing to be saved, closing the popular Houghton Regis Leisure Centre was on the table.
Cllr David Jones, substituting for absent Cllr Peter Williams, passionately argued against the closure, saying "this centre is a lifeline for residents and losing it will deeply impact the community." But four Conservatives supported administration arguments about difficult decisions needing to be made.
A vote was taken with two Liberal Democrats opposing the closure, hoping to change minds, but two Conservatives abstained. The motion to approve shutting the centre passed four to two. Residents vow to continue fighting the decision, seeing the centre as vital.
At the start of the meeting an e-petition, begun by Houghton Regis councillor Dr. Rita Egan, opposing the closure of the Houghton Regis Leisure Centre, was presented. It had reached over 200 signatories. The e-petition was presented by Houghton Regis councillor Susan Goodchild, on behalf of Cllr Egan, who could not attend the meeting due to a sudden family illness.
Susan Goodchild spoke about the demographics of the area, advocating well for local people. She reminded those present that other paper petitions continue circulating in Houghton Regis to gather support.
With only two more committee meetings remaining, there is a narrowing window before the full council endorsement that could seal the centre's fate. Residents are determined to have their voices heard.
There were minor concessions to the wide-reaching proposals, but the main thrust was to encourage the Executive Committee to carry on with their cost-cutting exercise. The committee proposed that street lights should not all be switched off between midnight and 6am; those around CCTV cameras might be saved, and where local circumstances demand lighting these areas might also be saved.
Not all school crossing patrols should be abolished; the committee argued that safety assessments of each locality should be conducted, and where possible local schools or local town and parish councils might be persuaded to pick up the expense.
In another meeting next Monday(*) at Central Bedfordshire Council, councillors will consider the cuts that could see the closure of the Day Centre at the Townsend Industrial Centre, Houghton Regis. This centre offers Day Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities. It is very much an issue of concern to Cllr Susan Goodchild, who is expected to put up a strong case in favour of keeping the Townsend Centre open.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Next, the proposals go to CBC Executive Committee on January 11th 2011, at 9.30am. From here the Executive Committee decision will be looked at by the Customer And Central Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee on the 17th January at 10.00am, before finally being endorsed and the budget set for the coming year at the full council meeting on the 24th February at 6.30pm.
