2:03pm Wednesday 17th March 2010
By Peter Magill
THE families of Valley soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan could miss out on free leisure centre use under plans to change a passport scheme.
Currently close relatives of servicemen and women in Rossendale are entitled to use the likes of Marl Pitts, Haslingden Leisure Centre, and Ski Rossendale, without charge.
But fresh proposals unveiled by the borough council are set to alter the arrangement, leaving only armed services personnel and a guest entitled to use the facilities.
Only minimal savings will be made on administration costs, as unique cards will not be necessary and troops can use their military identification cards.
The passport scheme, introduced in April 2008, also entitles users to free squash sessions at Whitworth Leisure Centre and Bacup Leisure Halls.
The Royal British Legion has reservations about the move, as it will hit military families with members on active service.
Customer services head Andrew Buckle said in a cabinet report: “There could be some opposition as some family members currently included within the scheme will no longer be able to utilise the leisure facilities.”
But he believes the fact that any service personnel can use the centres, regardless of whether they live in the valley or not, will dampen criticism.
John Hardiman, Royal British Legion county manager, said: “The Royal British Legion is very grateful to Rossendale Borough Council for the concessions given to our service personnel.
“We hope that the scheme might be continued, bearing in mind that the time when servicemen and women are being deployed on active service is one of the most critical times to support their immediate families.”
Coun Alyson Barnes, bor-ough Labour group leader, said the move “did not make sense” as the anticipated savings were minimal.
Fifty-six passports have been issued to services personnel, 22 for their partners, and 16 for close family.
The final passport to leisure proposals will be debated by the ruling Tory group at a cabinet meeting in Rawtenstall tonight.
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