Concerns have been raised over the future of Truro's swimming pool after opening hours changes were blamed on cost pressures.

Jayne Kirkham, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Truro and Falmouth has met GLL’s Cornwall Head of Service to discuss concerns over the operation and future of Truro’s swimming pool.

Cllr Kirkham says parents raised concerns over the changes in opening time with her, which Cornwall Council says are due to cost pressures, the cost of living crisis and the energy crisis facing the UK. 

Cllr Kirkham said: “The government has completely failed to support leisure services that are battling huge increases in running costs.  

"Teaching our children to swim is essential here as we are surrounded by sea and cases of death by drowning are growing.

"And all activities at leisure centres are so important for mental well being and preventive health care. These are services we need to protect.” 

She raised her concerns with Cornwall Council which said in reply: “GLL like all Leisure Operators are currently facing severe cost pressures due to the cost of living crisis and energy crisis impacting the UK, the greatest pressure being on the operation of swimming pools.

"GLL have [sic] been working closely with industry bodies and local authority partners, including Cornwall Council, to try and find solutions to support their sector through what is and will be a bigger challenge than COVID.

"GLL have [sic] been looking closely at their programmes and where possible looking at options to reduce pool opening times, or make adjustments that reduce their costs, in particular energy costs.” 

GLL’s head of service in Cornwall has also written Cornwall's Tory MPs laying bare how dire the current situation and lobbying for direct financial support to local authority leisure centres (and in particular swimming pools) that are operated by charitable trusts.

They say their viability is significantly threatened by the massive increase in energy costs (350%) and staffing costs(15%+).

"Operating costs for the leisure centres in Cornwall have risen by £1.48m in 2022 compared to 2019 and we are reluctant (and often unable) to increase prices to vulnerable communities, schools and clubs," 

"I am sure you realise how important leisure centres are in protecting and promoting physical and mental health and social cohesion within our local communities.                        

Recent research has shows that 40% of council areas are at risk of losing their leisure centre(s) or seeing reduced services before March 31 2023 (Data from UKActive)

Three quarters of council areas are classified as ‘unsecure’, meaning there is a risk of the closure of leisure centres and/or reduced services by March 31, 2024 (Data from UKActive).

GLL recently hit the headlines after handing back the reigns of a number of leisure centres in Cornwall.

This week it was announced that Launceston Swimming Pool would have to close because no deal could be struck between the council and proposed new operators.

Community Interest Company Pendennis Leisure and Falmouth Town Council are currently in a negotiations with Cornwall Council to take over the closed Ships and Castles swimming pool in Falmouth.