Council assures parents over swimming pool concerns

Carmarthenshire County Council is assuring parents in Llandovery that there has never been any intention to stop free school swimming lessons at the local pool.

Contrary to a recent press report which suggests that the authority has banned schools from using the pool, the council wishes to make clear that no such plans have ever been made.

Head of leisure, Ian Jones, said some misunderstanding may have arisen following discussions with Pantycelyn and Llanwrda schools regarding service improvements at Llandovery Swimming Pool.

However, he said the confusion would have been quickly cleared up if the schools had aired any concerns.

He said: “There is no intention to stop any schools from using Llandovery Swimming Pool.
“We are in discussions with these schools about service improvement, and some confusion may have arisen from that - however we are confident this matter will be resolved quickly.

“All schools are entitled to use of our facilities in order to deliver the base minimum of the Physical Education curriculum with regards swimming lessons.”

Carmarthenshire County Council actively encourages children to enjoy a whole range of sport and activities, including swimming, surfing, fishing fencing and dodgeball.

Over the last year alone, 40,000 young people have taken part in physical activity across 14 secondary schools in the county who would not ordinarily have done so over the last year.

Officers have been implementing the Sports Council for Wales ‘5x60’ initiative by organising, promoting and running sessions for pupils, with the main aim of engaging individuals who don't tend to participate in sport.
Officers recruit young leaders, coaches, volunteers and teachers to deliver sessions so that they can create the maximum number of opportunities for young people to take part in physical activity.

A total of 3,118 extra curricular sessions have taken place since September 2008, with 38,611 attendances.
A total of 4,803 pupils have taken part in a 5x60 session, which is 45 per cent of the county’s school pupils aged seven to 11 years.

A total of 2,372 attended five or more sessions, that’s a quarter of the seven to 11-year-olds in the county.
County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “This programme is working brilliantly to encourage those youngsters who would not normally be engaged in any kind of physical activity outside of school.

“It is introducing young people to a whole range of sports and skills they would not otherwise be involved in.”