On 19th November a successful deputation was presented to the full City Council and as a result the Councillors voted for the proposal that the consultation process be widened and consideration be given to adopting partnerships with the private sector to obtain the best options for our community.

An example was given of the public swimming pool in Tadcaster, which was built with private funding but is run largely with the help of 70 volunteer assistants.

We shall continue to pursue our aim of improving sport and leisure for the community of Garforth.

Councillor Tom Murray (Lab, Garforth and Swiilington) said: "It is absolutely vital that people are given every possible opportunity to have their say on the prosposals."

The meeting will be held at Garforth Leisure Centre on Thursday, November 13, from 7pm to 9pm.

Sports and Leisure Facilities in Garforth and Kippax.

Following recent media coverage regarding the proposed plans for the closure of sports facilities in both Garforth and Kippax.

Garforth Residents Association are disappointed and concerned about the lack of consultaion that Leeds City Council appear to have engaged in to date.

There would appear to have been little consultation and no thought of asking the communities what they want.

The facilities at present are thought by most to be less than adequate for the local population and those from the wider communities in surrounding villages who are deserving of better.

These communities consist of hardworking people who contribute an enormous amount to Leeds |City Council through tax and rates payments. We have excellent schools and Colleges in this community with pupils who no doubt could benefit from improved and up to date facilities.

The elderly and retired people should be encouraged to make use of activity focused pastimes to help maintain health and fitness.

The future health and welbeing of all our people is a major issue which is discussed Nationally every day in news and current events, from diet to exercise and the future Olympic Games in 2012.

We are asking that the Council Leisure Services start again , broaden and extend their consultation process to include users of the facilities they are planning to close. Ask those local groups, schools, clubs, organisations, community groups and individuals what they want, after all it is those people who use the facilities now.

We expect facilities to improved not removed.

We would like to suggest that the Leisure services hold a local consultation meeting, which Garforth Residents Association will be happy to facilitate. Inviting Planning Officers, Local Councillors, User Groups and members of the Public to attend and express their thoughts on the matter.

Our immediate thoughts are a wish that the sports facilities be improved and expanded to include a Swimming, Fitness and Leisure Centre that can be used by the wider local community and is open and affordable to all.

Philip Dunwell
Chairperson
Garforth Residents Association