Wokingham Borough Council is currently holding a consultation on the future of St Crispin’s Leisure Centre. However, the Council’s Liberal Democrat leadership has not been clear as to why the future of St Crispin’s is in doubt.
The Executive Member for Finance, Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, has been unable to say how many people are using the leisure centre or even why St Crispin’s is faced with closure. This clearly makes it difficult for residents to respond to the consultation, but more than this it raises questions as to the leadership of the Council. What information was used, and who made this decision to consult residents on the potential closure of St Crispin’s?
The public have queried what data the Liberal Democrats are using to make the decision. In emails to residents and all councillors, we were told by the Executive Member for Finance “it is less about costs but more about conflicting demands for space”, adding “we have limited resources and just cannot carry on as we were. What is clear is something has to change with St Crispin’s Leisure Centre”. When pressed further by a resident who asked why it was clear something has to change, the Liberal Democrat councillor said she was “aware it would require some maintenance and investment” but she was “not clear what that would involve” and finally admitted she doesn’t “have the leisure centre usage numbers” as “it is something she would also like to see”.
Without the data on how many people are using St Crispin’s Leisure Centre, and for which activities, it’s not clear what the issue is that they are trying to solve.
So far, the Liberal Democrat administration has a track record of ignoring the voice of residents through consultation. This includes the consultation over fortnightly bin collections, where the questions did not allow residents to support the continuation of weekly waste collections and where only 24% said they liked the idea of fortnightly. Or the consultation over a move to elections every four years, which were supported by the electorate but rejected by the ruling Lib/Lab coalition.
Local Conservatives are urging the Council’s Liberal Democrat administration to be clear with residents so that a meaningful consultation can take place – and then making sure that people’s views are taken into account.
Residents should have their say, but first they need the facts.
