West Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats

Tring Leisure Centre - Lib Dem Response to Dacorum Consultation

Cllr Nick Hollinghurst, Liberal Democrat Town and County Councillor for Tring, said "DBC has consistantly negllected our shared use sports facilities. These were originally built and provided at public expense for shared use both by the public and the school. Over the years, access by the public to these facilities has become more and more restricted.

The building presents a sorry picture of dilapidation and neglect. It is a grossly inefficient building and well past its sell by date.

The people of Tring have been far too patient, for far too long. We want a clear and detailed public statement to be issued by Dacorum concerning the refurbishment and/or rebuild of these facilities, as well as guarantees for full access by the public right through the year."

The following was sent in by Cllr Hollinghurst as the Tring Liberal Democrat response to the DBC Consultation following Residents concerns raised about continued access to the shared use Leisure & Sports facilities in Tring:

1. How do you propose to encourage participation in sport e.g. through outreach, publicity campaign, special events, taster sessions etc in line with your Commitment 1 of the strategy?

2. How will this be managed through the contract with Sports and Leisure Management Ltd e.g. by KPIs, financial obligations etc

3. I note that the facilities in Tring were originally left with SportSpace, then transferred to Sports and Leisure Management Ltd, then the responsibility for running the Joint Use Community Sports Centre was taken up by Tring School who are currently employing Sports and Leisure Management Ltd to manage the Sports Centre on their behalf.

• Can we be assured that the access to the facilities for the public be returned to historic standards and will continue during school holidays - especially during the summer holidays?
• Are you satisfied that Tring School has the necessary management expertise to discharge its responsibilities in running the Dual Use Community Sports Centre
• If not, will Tring School be required to retain Sports and Leisure Management Ltd or a similar company to run it for them?
• Who or which company, institution or authority will be responsible for finding the capital sum required to embark on the long-overdue refurbishment of the swimming bath and other facilities at the Tring Joint Use Community Sports Centre and likewise for the continued maintenance and running costs?

4. Has DBC carried out due diligence to the extent that it can point to satisfactory evidence to assure themselves and the residents that Castle View International Holdings Ltd, of which Sports and Leisure Management Ltd is a subsidiary company, has sufficient financial stability to be able to guarantee the satisfactory performance of the sports facility management company Sports and Leisure Management Ltd?

I trust that the Council officers will be able to address the concerns of the people of Tring - raised with me by residents, as above - in due course.

So far there has been no formal response or public announcement about the fate of Leisure facilities in Tring. Dacorum Borough Council are prepared to spend several millions on a car park in Berkhamstedof questionable utility - for a lot less, they could restore a well used resource used and enjoyed by the people of Tring.