Anger as free swimming for kids rejected - days before dog swim at Council pool

A motion went before the Council on Tuesday called for the authority to offer free swimming to under 16s to help families during the cost-of-living crisis.

But the motion, proposed by Liberal Democrat Councillor Brendan Stubbs, was defeated. Instead, a Labour amendment highlighting work the Council does to keep swimming costs “competitive” was voted through.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jeanette Sunderland criticised the Council for voting against this motion when it was planning to host a session in Ilkley Lido where dogs can swim for free.

The event, called 'Doggy Day', will be held on Sunday, just before the outdoor pool shuts for the winter.

Dogs will be able to swim in the lido for no charge – although each paddling pooch must be accompanied by an adult, who will have to pay £5.

Cllr Sunderland raised fears over dogs fighting and defecating in the public pool – and questioned whether pool staff will be required to give first aid to any dogs that get into difficulty.

Advice given to those attending Sunday’s event says owners are responsible for the action of their dogs, adding: “We can’t control the actions of other people’s dogs and there is an increased risk of injury.”

Swimming at Ilkley Lido (Image: Newsquest)

Adults will be able to enter the lido with their dogs.

After hearing about the event, Cllr Sunderland (Idle and Thackley) wrote to Council bosses asking: “What steps are being taken to protect the staff from harm and what training is being given to staff to help them to manage the pool and swimmers (both dogs and people), what for instance will happen if there is a fight between dogs, what is the procedure if a dog defecates in the pool, is anything being done to increase chlorine levels in the pool?

“What advice is being given to owners of dogs on heat or who can be aggressive? Who will be providing first aid cover for the dogs? Is the Council insured against any claim by a member of the public or staff resulting from this activity?

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Image: T&A)

“I also have concerns about the cleaning of the pool, indoor and outdoor areas of dog excrement, urine and dog hairs.”

A Council spokesman said: “We know these events have proved extremely popular at other outdoor pools across the country and we are sure lots of dogs, and their owners, from our district will have a great time.

“Safety is always of paramount importance to us and we have a strict set of rules for the day.

“The dogs will be the responsibility of their owners at all times and dogs will only have access to the outdoor pool, not the indoor. We have a cap on numbers and have restricted the session to one dog per owner. A member of staff is trained in canine first aid and a local vet is on standby to provide emergency support if needed.”

Cllr Sunderland who regularly uses Ilkley Lido, said: “I am a dog lover, and I’m astonished dog owners are going to want to do this. I’ve been to the lido today and it was 11.1 degrees.

“I’m sure it will be very popular, but I think it’s a bad idea for dogs. Why would you want to put your dog in a chlorinated, freezing pool?

“And it comes just after the Council voted against free swimming for children. This is about that message the Council is giving. Allowing dogs to swim for free when you’re not allowing children to swim for free shows the priorities of the Council.”

Cllr Stubbs’ motion described swimming as an “essential skill that promotes a healthy lifestyle.”

He acknowledged that free swimming for children would hit Council finances, but argued it would massively help hard-up families.

He criticised the Government for the current cost of living crisis, but added: “It may suit the Labour members in this chamber to focus on the Government for their errors. It is certainly easy.

“That is why the Labour amendment is such a massive disappointment the ‘we know best, we are doing enough’ is complacent and weak from a group of Councillors who claim to be standing up for hard pressed residents.

“We expect you to step up and find new ways to help families.  Don’t let swimming become an unaffordable luxury. Don’t let dogs swim in Ilkley Lido for free and tell our children they cannot.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive for Healthy people and places, said: "We'd love to be able to give free swimming sessions, but we are limited due to Government austerity."