Upset after free swimming cuts in Darwen (From Lancashire Telegraph)

I didnt know Beaker from the muppets was serving on the council!

I went last night and was surprised along with others that it was an (expensive) pay session.
Apparantly they changed the time table and when I looked at it I see they have done the classic moronic thing. Family sessions during the day. What happens if you work and or have you child in paid for nursery? It is ill thought out. Do them during the day but 6pm -7pm or 8pm are needed as well AND these should be in the kids pool. At first glance it looks like that is hardly open now, maybe wrong but I couldn't see the relevant sessions.
Good point though - the pool is now heated and cold air is no longer blown in! Funny how this was not accepted to be a problem or an issue prior to fixing it! Now they just need to turn on or fix the heating in the changing rooms.

p.s. Steve Rigby needs to learn that people do not comment that they want something IF it already exists. They will either comment now OR not come so either way it is a failure.
What does Steve say about the poor heating in both pools and changing rooms?

I went swimming on Saturday and I was delighted that I didn't have to pay.

The new times are great for people like me who work during the week.

Free swimming didn't happen under Dave Smiths watch, it was introduced after Labour lost power.
And I'll be willing to predict it will end if they regain power, just as weekly collections of bins would.
To get your mush in the paper over a small change in the program stinks of elections on the horison methinks.

This is not something that has been done on a whim and has been very calculatedly thought out by the council. I joined the gym when the leisure centre first opened and then received a letter 2 weeks later to tell me the fees were going up. The children of this town need all these free activities to keep them from committing anti social behaviour on the streets. The free sessions only last 1hr each time so it isn’t too much to expect seen as the town has waited all this time.

SuperDave wrote:
I went swimming on Saturday and I was delighted that I didn't have to pay. The new times are great for people like me who work during the week.

You could have done that before as well.....

Between the lines wrote:
Free swimming didn't happen under Dave Smiths watch, it was introduced after Labour lost power. And I'll be willing to predict it will end if they regain power, just as weekly collections of bins would. To get your mush in the paper over a small change in the program stinks of elections on the horison methinks.

What has this got to do with politics? Some people are so obsessed!

END QUOTE.

The free sessions (or acceptable pricing) are very handy for familes BUT also for the teens. I had sadly seen there were plenty of these that needed a ban and I think that is what has happened.

Wake up and smell the coffee; there's no such thing as a free lunch. Have one less bottle of wine and a couple of pints less and go for a swim.

Why should it be free? You same people moaning now will be moaning even more if you council tax has to go up to pay for free leisure activities. The council havn't being funding the Refresh scheme, it was govt grants. They will run out soon.
Dave Smith stop the political tit for tat on serious local issues, one would think there was an election on its way.

Between the lines wrote:
Free swimming didn't happen under Dave Smiths watch, it was introduced after Labour lost power. And I'll be willing to predict it will end if they regain power, just as weekly collections of bins would. To get your mush in the paper over a small change in the program stinks of elections on the horison methinks.

Oh dear..Between the lines ..you are wrong !

Free swimming was introduced when Labour were in power, - for kids during the holidays.
The current scheme is the Re-fresh scheme introduced as a partnership between the Govt, health authority & council. This scheme was only introduced recently.

Again, you are quite wrong re the bins -There has ALWAYS been a weekly collection of bins.

You totally miss the point - the Council changed the programme without consultation thus inconveniencing many folk. The programme has not been changed just a little bit but quite extensively. Obviously you have not seen it.

The previous programme was still advertised on the web-site yet the new programme was already in place.

Little Diamond wrote:
Wake up and smell the coffee; there's no such thing as a free lunch. Have one less bottle of wine and a couple of pints less and go for a swim. Why should it be free? You same people moaning now will be moaning even more if you council tax has to go up to pay for free leisure activities. The council havn't being funding the Refresh scheme, it was govt grants. They will run out soon. Dave Smith stop the political tit for tat on serious local issues, one would think there was an election on its way.

Re-fresh is a Govt initiative backed by the Health Authority & Council to encourage healthy living. It has nothing to do with Council Tax, but is paid for from general taxation. However, the health benefits will reduce long -term costs to the NHS.

It's an excellent scheme, everyone agrees, - except Little Diamond !

CapitaBackHander wrote:

SuperDave wrote: I went swimming on Saturday and I was delighted that I didn't have to pay. The new times are great for people like me who work during the week.

You could have done that before as well.....

Previously the lengths sessions on Saturdays were paid session.

Please, please try to make sure of your 'facts'!

SuperDave wrote:

CapitaBackHander wrote:

SuperDave wrote: I went swimming on Saturday and I was delighted that I didn't have to pay. The new times are great for people like me who work during the week.

You could have done that before as well.....

Previously the lengths sessions on Saturdays were paid session. Please, please try to make sure of your 'facts'!

You are on about a movement of session in that case and not a cut back - stick to the point.

Re other like Diamond - no idea what they are talking about. Do you really think the council would give free sessions? It is government funded. Just like when a cycle lane or bus lane is put in place - grant funded and just another way the council trys to 'improve' things.
The fact is that family/free swim has been cut and relocated to imo silly working hours time which is just daft. I am not going to take time off work just to take my little on swimming.
Not looked at the time table in detail but the kids pool doesn't seem to be in use much - private useage or staff shortage?

CapitaBackHander wrote:

SuperDave wrote:

CapitaBackHander wrote:

SuperDave wrote: I went swimming on Saturday and I was delighted that I didn't have to pay. The new times are great for people like me who work during the week.

You could have done that before as well.....

Previously the lengths sessions on Saturdays were paid session. Please, please try to make sure of your 'facts'!

You are on about a movement of session in that case and not a cut back - stick to the point. Re other like Diamond - no idea what they are talking about. Do you really think the council would give free sessions? It is government funded. Just like when a cycle lane or bus lane is put in place - grant funded and just another way the council trys to 'improve' things. The fact is that family/free swim has been cut and relocated to imo silly working hours time which is just daft. I am not going to take time off work just to take my little on swimming. Not looked at the time table in detail but the kids pool doesn't seem to be in use much - private useage or staff shortage?

the session is still on a Saturday and at the centre so it hasn't moved.

Look at the new time table; it's a more efficient use of the time.
"Not looked at the time table in detail but the kids pool doesn't seem to be in use much - private useage or staff shortage?" - yet still able to make comments!

speaks volumes. . .

SuperDave wrote:

CapitaBackHander wrote:

SuperDave wrote:

CapitaBackHander wrote:

SuperDave wrote: I went swimming on Saturday and I was delighted that I didn't have to pay. The new times are great for people like me who work during the week.

You could have done that before as well.....

Previously the lengths sessions on Saturdays were paid session. Please, please try to make sure of your 'facts'!

You are on about a movement of session in that case and not a cut back - stick to the point. Re other like Diamond - no idea what they are talking about. Do you really think the council would give free sessions? It is government funded. Just like when a cycle lane or bus lane is put in place - grant funded and just another way the council trys to 'improve' things. The fact is that family/free swim has been cut and relocated to imo silly working hours time which is just daft. I am not going to take time off work just to take my little on swimming. Not looked at the time table in detail but the kids pool doesn't seem to be in use much - private useage or staff shortage?

the session is still on a Saturday and at the centre so it hasn't moved. Look at the new time table; it's a more efficient use of the time. "Not looked at the time table in detail but the kids pool doesn't seem to be in use much - private useage or staff shortage?" - yet still able to make comments! speaks volumes. . .

What is your problem? You seem to want to argue when you don't have a relevant point.
If the session wasn't previously free on a Saturday and is now then that is because a free session from another day has now been moved to Saturday - SIMPLE FACT. It also means that other free sessions have been cut and that is why this article is here. A cut in free sessions.
You are talking about a timetable change which happens to suit you and you try to be smart by implying it will suit people who work when this is not the case.
Any cut in free sessions is bad if you were a user of them.
The new time table also doesn't suit me but it appears this will change again and again so I doubt it will suit the majority of swimmers in the long run.
Not sure why there are different split sessions. No Beez card then pay and if Beez Card free or discounted? I must be missing something or maybe it is to do with funding criteria.

Between the lines wrote:
Free swimming didn't happen under Dave Smiths watch, it was introduced after Labour lost power.
And I'll be willing to predict it will end if they regain power, just as weekly collections of bins would.
To get your mush in the paper over a small change in the program stinks of elections on the horison methinks.

Listen you "For Darwen" numptie, the Government through the Heath Authority pays for the free sports sessions in the Borough not your administration.
Happily, unlike you lot who hide behind council officers when you and your Tory & Liberal Democrat friends cut services in Darwen, when in control Dave Smith and his Labour colleagues instigated huge investment in Darwen like the new leisure centre, the health centre, the Sure Start centre and the Academy. To squash the other myth you were peddling, if you read their manifesto Labour are committed to the weekly bin collection and will sort out the state of the roads that you and your fellow muppets who run the Council have allowed to fall into disrepair.

Yes I understand it’s not paid for by council tax, that’s what I said. Try and pay attention. When the govt pull the plug, and they will soon, who will pay then?

And let’s not be naive, the scheme is making no one healthier. The idle scroungers, with the wide screen telly and who have their takeaway delivered by taxi, still are idle and the swimmers are getting off with free swimming, they would be going swimming anyway.

Little Diamond wrote:
Yes I understand it’s not paid for by council tax, that’s what I said. Try and pay attention. When the govt pull the plug, and they will soon, who will pay then? And let’s not be naive, the scheme is making no one healthier. The idle scroungers, with the wide screen telly and who have their takeaway delivered by taxi, still are idle and the swimmers are getting off with free swimming, they would be going swimming anyway.

Simple not true. I know of loads of people who now go swimming - and ONLY because of the free sessions. Any drop (or re-arranging to times when the majority of people would find it 'difficult' to make the sessions) in provision without proper consultaion with users is just unacceptable behaviour from the powers that be.

Viv wrote:

Little Diamond wrote: Yes I understand it’s not paid for by council tax, that’s what I said. Try and pay attention. When the govt pull the plug, and they will soon, who will pay then? And let’s not be naive, the scheme is making no one healthier. The idle scroungers, with the wide screen telly and who have their takeaway delivered by taxi, still are idle and the swimmers are getting off with free swimming, they would be going swimming anyway.

Simple not true. I know of loads of people who now go swimming - and ONLY because of the free sessions. Any drop (or re-arranging to times when the majority of people would find it 'difficult' to make the sessions) in provision without proper consultaion with users is just unacceptable behaviour from the powers that be.

Spot on.

I dont consider myself to be a political person, but would support Dave Smith in any election. We do need someone like him in Darwen to speak for us as like this article confirms the press listen. Free swimming is important for Darwen due to the results of the latest health survey Darwen residents in general are very unhealthy. Whether they are liberals, tories or the Darwen for themselves party, the only person who comes round and takes an interest in Darwen matters - not just at election time is Dave Smith. I do not know him personally in case you want to lay this accusation at my door as although I have resided in Darwen for over 15 years I am from another local town. Good luck to him he works very very hard for Darwen. By the way I wouldn't even know another local councillor if I fell over them.

Why are so many people bringing politics into this?
Surely the party in power would see this as a vote loser.

"The same clown probably came up with the idea to put bumpy flagstones at crossings - what is that all about and how much has that cost throughout the borough?"
quote from capitabackhander
As this is what you think about helping the visualy impaired members of our society, how do feel about people with physical disabilities using the new leisue centre in Darwen. Will it be ok as long as we don't spend any extra money to make life easier for them?
As long as you "Moaning Darreners" get your free swim life is good.
Lets bring back the red buses with nice conductors while we're at it

Little Diamond wrote:
"The same clown probably came up with the idea to put bumpy flagstones at crossings - what is that all about and how much has that cost throughout the borough?" quote from capitabackhander As this is what you think about helping the visualy impaired members of our society, how do feel about people with physical disabilities using the new leisue centre in Darwen. Will it be ok as long as we don't spend any extra money to make life easier for them? As long as you "Moaning Darreners" get your free swim life is good. Lets bring back the red buses with nice conductors while we're at it

Think you got your quotes missed up there. Simply answer here that my nan never had a problem crossing roads which obviously never had bumby flagstones. Daft system that only daft people would see any REAL benefit to - for it to work it would have to be installed at every crossing point AND along all kerbing - never going to happen.
Also quite dangerous as you never have over 50% of your foot on a flat surface and they are usually slopped to the road - just a crazy idea.

Doesn't look like Smith has used the pool much himself. Free session or not.
He, like some of the others do really need to actually do the job they were elected for. He has proven before that he will just ignore the majority of those he is supposed to represent.
If arguing about times for free sessions is the best the three main parties in the town can come up with, god help us.

Moan,moan,moan thats all some people do!You cant have everything free I remember little diamond when she went to Waves she was down that water shoute quicker than a free pass at Darwen leisure centre. you were the jewel in the crown! at
You used to sparkle in the pool your trade belly flop started the wave machine at Waves. Then youd polish off the day with a few widths.

31 YEARS wrote:
Doesn't look like Smith has used the pool much himself. Free session or not. He, like some of the others do really need to actually do the job they were elected for. He has proven before that he will just ignore the majority of those he is supposed to represent. If arguing about times for free sessions is the best the three main parties in the town can come up with, god help us.

I saw Smith in the pool twice in the last two weeks.

31 yrs still moaning with your half empty glass its people like you Smith wastes his time on move to Blackburn
and maon there you darrener you stick to your boring job at crown like rest of the philiastines.

Bluegoose wrote:
31 yrs still moaning with your half empty glass its people like you Smith wastes his time on move to Blackburn and maon there you darrener you stick to your boring job at crown like rest of the philiastines.

Wish he would. They can have him. Wish they would think of the town more and note scoring points of each other and getting their mugs in the paper. Easy really.

Mmm seen this photo attached to a differnt story below which was in the LET some time ago. I am sure its the sams picture!!


DARWEN NEWS
Councillor in **** probe
9:25am Monday 20th February 2006
• Print
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By David Higgerson »


A SENIOR coun-cillor has been arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images.
Police were called in after Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses received a complaint alleging that Coun Dave Smith, executive member for culture, leisure and sport, had broken the authority's code of conduct.
He was arrested for questioning on February 14 and released on police bail for a month pending further inquiries.
Coun Smith, who represents the Sunnyhurst area of Darwen, voluntarily suspended himself from his executive board post and from the borough's ruling Labour party.
He is still free to serve as a councillor as he has not been charged with any offence.
A police spokesman said: "Following a complaint made to the police, a 41-year-old Darwen man was arrested on February 14 on suspicion of possessing indecent photographs.
"He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries."
Council leader Coun Kate Hollern confirmed that the authority had received a complaint about Coun Smith which alleged he had breached the councillors' official code of conduct.
She said: "It concerns the use of a council computer. We can't say any more at the moment because of the police investigation.
"It is also being investigated by the council and will be reported to the Standards Board for England and our standards committee in due course.
"I have removed myself from the investigation so there can be no suggestion of political influence."
A memo sent by Coun Hollern to all councillors confirmed that she would take over his area of responsibility for the time being.
Coun Smith works for the Rochdale-based Ashiana Housing Association, which has properties in East Lancashire, and is a governor at Holy Trinity Primary School, Darwen.
He has been on the ruling executive board since last May, when he took over from current deputy mayor Dorothy Walsh.
Before that, he was the chairman of the planning and highways committee.
A spokesman for the Standards Board for England, which investigates complaints about councillors, said it had not yet received details of the complaint.
Coun Nigel Nuttall, vice-chairman of Blackburn with Darwen's standards committee, said he could not comment on the case.
Coun Colin Rigby, leader of the Tory group on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "People have been kept in the dark about why he has self-suspended himself until now.
"It is important that Blackburn with Darwen Council ensures their investigation is open and transparent."
Coun Smith, who lives in Woodbank Avenue, Darwen, could not be contacted for comment.

Laborhoodwinker wrote:
Mmm seen this photo attached to a differnt story below which was in the LET some time ago. I am sure its the sams picture!! DARWEN NEWS Councillor in **** probe 9:25am Monday 20th February 2006 • Print • Email • Share By David Higgerson » A SENIOR coun-cillor has been arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images. Police were called in after Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses received a complaint alleging that Coun Dave Smith, executive member for culture, leisure and sport, had broken the authority's code of conduct. He was arrested for questioning on February 14 and released on police bail for a month pending further inquiries. Coun Smith, who represents the Sunnyhurst area of Darwen, voluntarily suspended himself from his executive board post and from the borough's ruling Labour party. He is still free to serve as a councillor as he has not been charged with any offence. A police spokesman said: "Following a complaint made to the police, a 41-year-old Darwen man was arrested on February 14 on suspicion of possessing indecent photographs. "He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries." Council leader Coun Kate Hollern confirmed that the authority had received a complaint about Coun Smith which alleged he had breached the councillors' official code of conduct. She said: "It concerns the use of a council computer. We can't say any more at the moment because of the police investigation. "It is also being investigated by the council and will be reported to the Standards Board for England and our standards committee in due course. "I have removed myself from the investigation so there can be no suggestion of political influence." A memo sent by Coun Hollern to all councillors confirmed that she would take over his area of responsibility for the time being. Coun Smith works for the Rochdale-based Ashiana Housing Association, which has properties in East Lancashire, and is a governor at Holy Trinity Primary School, Darwen. He has been on the ruling executive board since last May, when he took over from current deputy mayor Dorothy Walsh. Before that, he was the chairman of the planning and highways committee. A spokesman for the Standards Board for England, which investigates complaints about councillors, said it had not yet received details of the complaint. Coun Nigel Nuttall, vice-chairman of Blackburn with Darwen's standards committee, said he could not comment on the case. Coun Colin Rigby, leader of the Tory group on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "People have been kept in the dark about why he has self-suspended himself until now. "It is important that Blackburn with Darwen Council ensures their investigation is open and transparent." Coun Smith, who lives in Woodbank Avenue, Darwen, could not be contacted for comment.

Did anything ever come of this?

Nothing ever did come of it as Coun Smith wasn't charged with anything at all. This was reported in the LT.
Maybe you could concentrate on telling everyone about those Councillors WITH criminal records rather than those WITHOUT !!

I was going to respond in a similar manner when I saw these latter two coments, but decided to ignore them asI took the view that the people of Darwen would see them for what they are - two manipulators trying to score points with something that has nothing to do with the article or comments at all and knowing full well that they are trying to bring something into the public domain that has long been dealt with. The comments have clearly been put on for political motives and shows that the authors have absolutely no points to make about the article in question, but want to try and bring any adverse publicity they can onto a hard working councillor.

31 YEARS wrote:

Laborhoodwinker wrote:
Mmm seen this photo attached to a differnt story below which was in the LET some time ago. I am sure its the sams picture!! DARWEN NEWS Councillor in **** probe 9:25am Monday 20th February 2006 • Print • Email • Share By David Higgerson » A SENIOR coun-cillor has been arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images. Police were called in after Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses received a complaint alleging that Coun Dave Smith, executive member for culture, leisure and sport, had broken the authority's code of conduct. He was arrested for questioning on February 14 and released on police bail for a month pending further inquiries. Coun Smith, who represents the Sunnyhurst area of Darwen, voluntarily suspended himself from his executive board post and from the borough's ruling Labour party. He is still free to serve as a councillor as he has not been charged with any offence. A police spokesman said: "Following a complaint made to the police, a 41-year-old Darwen man was arrested on February 14 on suspicion of possessing indecent photographs. "He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries." Council leader Coun Kate Hollern confirmed that the authority had received a complaint about Coun Smith which alleged he had breached the councillors' official code of conduct. She said: "It concerns the use of a council computer. We can't say any more at the moment because of the police investigation. "It is also being investigated by the council and will be reported to the Standards Board for England and our standards committee in due course. "I have removed myself from the investigation so there can be no suggestion of political influence." A memo sent by Coun Hollern to all councillors confirmed that she would take over his area of responsibility for the time being. Coun Smith works for the Rochdale-based Ashiana Housing Association, which has properties in East Lancashire, and is a governor at Holy Trinity Primary School, Darwen. He has been on the ruling executive board since last May, when he took over from current deputy mayor Dorothy Walsh. Before that, he was the chairman of the planning and highways committee. A spokesman for the Standards Board for England, which investigates complaints about councillors, said it had not yet received details of the complaint. Coun Nigel Nuttall, vice-chairman of Blackburn with Darwen's standards committee, said he could not comment on the case. Coun Colin Rigby, leader of the Tory group on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "People have been kept in the dark about why he has self-suspended himself until now. "It is important that Blackburn with Darwen Council ensures their investigation is open and transparent." Coun Smith, who lives in Woodbank Avenue, Darwen, could not be contacted for comment.

Did anything ever come of this?

31years whats this man on?
Care in the community has never worked ! Your constant negative comments prove what a saddo you really are. You must be a
right misery guts with your half empty glass. I know you get depressed living in new model.