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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Labour's Activa Gym Bungle finally put to an end
August 30, 2007 11:02 PM
The desperate decision in April 2004 during the run-up to Local Elections by the last Labour Administration in Swansea to lease the Pool Sanctuary for the City's Activa Gym would have cost the taxpayer a total of £680,000 over ten years.
It very quickly became apparent that the Poll Sanctuary was not suitable for use as an Activa Gym. The Lib Dem-led Administration took the popular and brave decision in March 2005, less than 1 year after coming to power, to re-build and reopen the Leisure Centre.
Following a decision at Swansea Council's Cabinet today, Rileys Ltd will take on an assignment of the remaining term of the Council's existing lease, thereby releasing the Council from any further obligation in respect of the property. The property is to be used for a snooker hall.
"The last Labour lot left us in hock to the tune of £680,000 and a property that was unsuitable for our purposes. Labour legacy has cost the tax payer of Swansea a lot of money" said Councillor Sylvia Lewis, of Clydach Ward who has been pushing for a proper solution for the Activa Gym since Labour were last in power.
"Following years of Labour neglect the old Leisure Centre had to close, now the new Leisure Centre will be ready to open in January and will provide a state of the art Activa Gym" she added
"There was about 7 years remaining on the Council's lease agreement, Labour left us saddled with a decade of payments. This decision by the Lib / Independent Cabinet means that we will be able to save around £450,000 and finally put an end to yet another mess we inherited from Labour"
ENDS
Notes to editors;
1. The Council's rental commitment has been £50,000 per annum for the remainder of the term. Annual non domestic rates were payable by the Council. In the current financial year empty rates amount to £10,264. The Council were also responsible for paying an annual insurance rent to the landlord (£7,671.71 plus VAT for the current financial year)
2. Provisional terms have been agreed whereby Rileys Ltd will take on an assignment of the remaining term of the Council's existing lease, thereby releasing the Council from any further obligation in respect of the property. The property is to be used for a snooker hall. . The Council have provisionally agreed to pay a reverse premium to Rileys equal to between 3 and 6 months rent, in lieu of any rent free period.
3. The Council's press release can be found at http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1429
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