A Fife councillor has described as ‘incompetent and irresponsible’ Fife councils decision to cut the budget for swimming tuition for primary 6 pupils in Fife. Fife Labour’s Finance Spokesperson Mark Hood made the comments as the full impact of the cuts in Fife council are beginning to be felt.
The cut of £351k forced through Fife Council by the SNP / Lib Dem administration in the 10th of February will see an end to the ten free swimming lesson all primary 6 school children presently receive. Speaking about the impact of the cut Mr Hood said ‘ learning to swim is an important part of a child’s development and for the many children in Fife these lessons were the only formal swimming tuition that they receive. To deny young children the opportunity to learn to swim denies them a skill that gives them the opportunity to participate a in sport or leisure activities throughout their life. We should also consider the consequences of many more Fife children being at a greater risk around water as a result of not being able to swim. This cut must be one of the most irresponsible the SNP / Lib Dem administration has made.’
To soften the impact of the cut in budget Fife council have agreed to continue to provide tuition to children that are unable to swim but the councillor for Lochgelly and Cardenden was unimpressed and questioned the practicalities of such a policy. ‘This looks very much like policy made up on the spur of the moment and it’s clear that they have not considered the logistics of this proposal, for example who decides if a child can swim, what criteria is used. Who takes the kids to the pool, how do they get there? This policy is ill-thought-out and unworkable within the constraints of the budget they have set. ’
Mr Hood continued ‘In general it is children from Fife’s most deprived communities that are more likely not to be able to swim by the time they get to primary 6 and who are likely to benefit the most from these free swimming lessons. Once again we see this administration implementing policies that hit the most vulnerable members of the most deprived communities in Fife.’
