No Guarantee Given as Council Asked to Guarantee Future of Penrith Swimming Club’s Learn to Swim Programme

Westmorland and Furness Council has stopped short of guaranteeing that Penrith Swimming Club will be able to continue delivering its Learn to Swim programme at Penrith Leisure Centre, despite being asked directly to confirm its future.

The issue was raised at Thursday’s meeting of Westmorland and Furness Council’s full council at Kendal Town Hall by Penrith Independent councillor for Penrith South, Cllr Eyles.

In a question to the council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Active Wellbeing, Liberal Democrat Cllr Vicky Hughes, Cllr Eyles highlighted the longstanding contribution made by Penrith Swimming Club to swimming provision in Penrith and Eden.

He pointed to the club’s contribution of around £40,000 towards the Frenchfield Teaching Pool when it was needed and its continuing financial contribution through the fees it pays to use Penrith Leisure Centre.

Cllr Eyles then asked the portfolio holder for a clear assurance:

“Will the portfolio holder please confirm that Penrith Swimming Club will continue to be able to offer its Learn to Swim programme to the residents of Eden and beyond?”

The question comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the club’s beginner swimming programme at the council-owned Penrith Leisure Centre.

Earlier this year, GLL, which operates the leisure centre on behalf of Westmorland and Furness Council, raised concerns about the way the club’s Learn to Swim sessions were being delivered at the centre.

Penrith Swimming Club was subsequently told that its junior Learn to Swim sessions would not be authorised during pool hire times, prompting a campaign by the club and significant concern among parents and supporters.

The original deadline for the programme to end was later moved from September to January 2027 while discussions continued.

The council has previously said no final decision had been made and that it wanted to find a sustainable way forward involving the club, GLL and Swim England.

The issue has also highlighted the historic relationship between Penrith Swimming Club and the town’s leisure facilities. The club, which dates back to 1881 and is run by volunteers, has argued that its Learn to Swim programme forms an important part of a pathway which takes children from learning to swim through to competitive swimming.

The club has also pointed to the financial contribution it makes to the leisure centre, with more than £40,000 a year spent on pool hire, alongside its historic contribution towards the Frenchfield Teaching Pool.

In her response, Cllr Hughes acknowledged the club’s contribution but did not give the specific guarantee requested.

“Thank you for your question.

“I'd like to firstly recognise the longstanding contribution that the club has made to the community. The club has played an important role in the development of swimming across all age groups, and its financial contributions towards teaching, together with its ongoing use of facilities, are acknowledged and appreciated.

“The club's historic contribution towards teaching is recognised and valued.”

She went on to stress that the relationship between the club, council and leisure operator had developed over many years.

“Equally, it is important to acknowledge that this has been part of a longstanding partnership with the council and its leisure operator, providing ongoing access to water space and facilities over many years. Together, those arrangements have helped create opportunities for generations of local swimmers.”

On the specific question of whether the club would be able to continue delivering its Learn to Swim programme, Cllr Hughes said the council remained supportive of swimming opportunities but pointed towards the ongoing discussions rather than confirming the programme would continue.

“In response to this specific question, the council remains supportive of opportunities for local residents to learn to swim and develop aquatic skills, and recognises the valuable role that clubs play in achieving this objective.

“Following the meeting held earlier in the week, the council, leisure operator GLL and Swim England have demonstrated a willingness to engage constructively and identify a solution.”

She said Swim England would now be involved in the discussions as the national governing body for swimming.

“There is now willingness on all parts to involve Swim England, as the relevant national governing body, in those conversations,” she said.

“As portfolio holder, I believe that the involvement of an independent body will provide valuable support and a way forward that is in the best interests of consumers.”

However, Cllr Hughes made clear that the next stage would involve further negotiations between the parties.

“The next stage of the engagement needs to be meaningful and requires commitment from all parties to participate positively, work with Swim England, continue dialogue and explore arrangements that are financially sustainable, transparent and deliver positive outcomes for all.”

She added that the council did not see its role as directly determining the operational relationship between the swimming club and GLL.

“The council's role is not to determine the operational arrangement between the parties, but to support a process that sees a balanced and equitable outcome, with responsibility to the wider community and to all user groups who access our council-supported centres.”

She concluded by saying the council needed to consider the financial pressures facing local government and ensure its leisure arrangements were sustainable.

“As a council, our focus is to ensure that future arrangements are transparent, equitable and sustainable, reflecting the needs of organisations and residents who rely on these facilities.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that, in the context of the significant financial pressure facing the council and the wider challenges facing public services, the best use is made of limited public resources, while ensuring arrangements are sustainable and represent the vitality of community participation.”

The exchange leaves the central question asked by Cllr Eyles unanswered: there is support from the council for swimming opportunities and recognition of Penrith Swimming Club’s contribution, but no confirmation that the club’s own Learn to Swim programme will definitely continue at Penrith Leisure Centre.

Watch The Question And Response from the council meeting: