Kerry Drowns the Truth
April 30, 2010 11:02 PM
Bristol City Council's ruling Liberal Democrats are set to make good their pledge to build a new swimming pool in Bristol East.
The council's Lib Dem leader and budget supremo, Barbara Janke, has ensured funds are earmarked to kickstart the Speedwell project next year (2011-12). The money is included in the council's new Medium-Term Financial Plan, which is published today (Tuesday).
The document outlines spending plans for the next three years and builds in assumptions about government cuts whichever party is in power nationally after the general election.
"We have been given very little guidance about the likely size of cutbacks. But we have made realistic assumptions and expect at this stage that we will have enough money to build the pool, at the Brunel Academy," said Councillor Janke.
A six-lane pool, a learner pool and ancillary facilities would be added to an already popular sports and health amenity at the Academy.
Bristol East prospective Parliamentary candidate Mike Popham (Lib Dem) said "Bristol East has no swimming pools at present and this one is badly needed. Sadly, the old pool in Speedwell had to be closed a few years ago because it was too rundown to be kept open. I am delighted that my continued pressure for this paid off."
But Kerry McCarthy's 30th April blog states:
'They're now promising a new pool for Speedwell, but questions from Cllr Stone have revealed there's no money in the capital programme for this... they're funding some sort of feasibility study, but as Ron says, you can't swim in that! At the moment it just looks as if they're promising pie-in-the-sky.' stated Labour's McCarthy.
Mike Popham for the Lib Dems said "Kerry and her office will know that the feasibility study has already been carried out and that I have made provision in the Council's budget for £6.4 m to be spent on the pool in Brunel Academy, to commence in 2011/12. Kerry McCarthy's dishonesty and deception must be eradicated from politics and she should apologise. Kerry McCarthy will know that Labour Cllr Ron Stone was present at budget Full Council in February when plans for the pool were reviewed and approved by all sides."
The following link will take you to the 2010-2013 version of the Medium Term Financial Plan which shows that the Lib Dems have indeed made provison for the pool:
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