The possibility that the Spectrum, Ash Manor and the Lido might be !sold off to a private company is a major concern to both users and employees.
After running Spectrum successfully for 16 years, the Council is now has problems meeting its funding requirements. Competition from other centres, anticipated capital and revenue deficits and high refurbishment and maintenance costs are the causes. Future cuts in government grants ( severe if the Tories should be returned to power !) and the increasing costs of the long-overdue Civic Hall replacement are contributory factors. Unduly high maintenance bills begs the question, has regular on-going maintenance been carried out or have cuts been made to help the Conservatives boast that they are keeping council taxes down?
Potholes - when will they be fixed?
Where will our young people live?
Consultants think that the council continuing to run the facilities is the least attractive option. Handing over to private operators, establishing a local trust, or partnering with an existing leisure trust are regarded as better solutions.
Whichever model is adopted the new organisation will have to build up financial reserves for the future. Private companies will be driven by the primary aim of making as much profit as possible in the shortest possible time.
None of this is good for news for the customers or the employees. Entrance charges will rise and wages will be kept down.
We would favour the creation of a non-profit making charitable trust, which we think that, in the long run, would best look after the interests of local people.
All
of Southway needs resurfacing, says Martin Phillips
It
was interesting to reads the thoughts of Andrew Povey, the new Conservative
leader of Surrey County Council.
I was especially interested to see no mention at all of the state of our roads. I realise that he must be embarrassed by our potholed, cracked and bumpy roads, but you would have thought that he'd make some mention of the subject.
Perhaps he could start by explaining just what on earth is going on over the resurfacing of of Southway in Guildford.
We've seen signs up three times to say that the road would be resurfaced. The first time it was only the section at the Aldershot Road mini-roundabout. Then the Council said that Southway would be closed, but they only repaired a few patches near the former St. Francis Westborough School.
Our hopes were raised again with more signs only to be dashed, as this time a short section in the middle of Southway was done.
Perhaps the County Council think we will be happy with this, but the entire length of Southway needs resurfacing. Some bad potholes in the centre have been fixed, but the section down to the roundabout by Kings college is still a disgrace.
So, Mr. Povey, perhaps you could take time out to tell us all just when Southway will be completely resurfaced. The residents deserve better treatment than this.
Martin Phillips
