Wirral Tories plan free leisure centre access for service personnel

Dec 14 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

MEN and women who serve or have served in the Armed Forces could be given free access to leisure facilities across Wirral under proposals to be considered by the council next week.

The move has been enthusiastically welcomed by the Royal British Legion and by the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).

The notice of motion, put forward by the leader of the Conservative group Cllr Jeff Green, proposes that the free access be brought in “as a gesture of gratitude”.

It is also in support of the Royal British Legion’s Covenant Campaign which was launched in September, aiming to urge people across the country to lobby their councils and MPs to improve conditions for the services community in the areas of care, compensation and coroners' inquests.

If supported by other parties on the authority, it would grant “serving and reserve forces and their direct dependants who reside in, or who visit, Metropolitan Borough of Wirral free access to our leisure facilities”.

Last night Cllr Green said he had put the recommendation forward because he believed the Government had “failed to live up to its commitment to members of the Armed Forces”.

He said: “We believe that offering free access to our leisure facilities – while a small move given the sacrifices the armed forces make daily – is a clear way of demonstrating our support for them.”

The move has been welcomed by the Royal British Legion in Cheshire and county manager Jeff Harrison called it “pretty fantastic”.

Mr Harrison said last night they were delighted at the support for their campaign.

He said the recommendation was “extremely pleasing” and added: “The motion further demonstrates the council’s support for members of our armed forces.”

The move was also strongly welcomed by SSAFA, which provides support for the serving men and women in today’s Armed Forces and for those who have served – even if it was only for a single day, as well as caring for the needs of their families and dependants.

SSAFA county executive officer for Merseyside, Harry Flynn, described the proposals as “fantastic”.

Mr Flynn said: “I think this is a most generous gesture on behalf of Wirral Council and will be gratefully appreciated by all service personnel.”

“Wirral Council has always been very supportive to the services and SSAFA works very closely with the local authority.

“This is another measure of their support.”

The notice of motion will be put to the next meeting of the full council on Monday, proposed by Cllr Green and seconded by the deputy leader of the Tory group, Cllr Lesley Rennie.

liammurphy