Gateshead’s MP has renewed calls for Government action to solve a ‘crisis’ threatening his town’s leisure centres.
Ian Mearns has called for a new debate in Parliament on the future of struggling leisure services, with two of Gateshead Council’s beloved community facilities earmarked for closure. Speaking in the House of Commons last week, Mr Mearns warned that the pressure on overstretched local government finances was “intensifying”.
Gateshead Leisure Centre and Birtley Swimming Centre are facing closure under council budget cut plans, though were last week given a three-month reprieve. The council’s proposals, which come as it tries to slash millions more from its budgets having already lost £179m from its annual spending power since 2010, have sparked fury from local campaigners horrified at the prospect of the centres being lost.
