Robin Lawrence slams secrecy in decision making

5.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 2nd Oct 2006

"Why all this secrecy about a swimming pool and sports hall?" asks Robin Lawrence

Robin Lawrence and Park Ward Liberal Democrat Focus Team are concerned by the apparent lack of consultation over the intended closure of Compton Park Activities Centre. The decision to close the centre has come out of the blue and left many users of the centre angry at not being consulted. Many of regulars at the centre have contacted the Lib Dems to ask for our help to get their voice heard. Wolverhampton's Labour run Council took the decision at a Cabinet meeting in September but the press and public were excluded when the fate on Compton Park Activities Centre was decided. Robin asks "Why all this secrecy about a swimming pool and sports hall? It's not a matter of national security!"

Wolverhampton Council's Children and Young People Division has told Park Ward candidate Robin Lawrence that £200,000 needs to be spent on the centre urgently so as to make the building comply with Health and Safety regulations. A further £400,000 is then required for structural repairs. On a recent visit to the centre Robin Lawrence was concerned to find the centre in a poor state of repair. He told Focus "It is terrible to discover that the current Labour council and previous Conservative Park Ward councillors have allowed this very useful amenity to decay into a dangerous condition. Labour councillors have then taken a decision behind closed doors to axe the swimming pool and sports hall."