It seems that there is a small note in the Ormskirk advertiser this week that mentions my name. It’s based on a press release that I sent them about six weeks ago regarding Stockport swimming pool and Serco’s reported renegotiation with the Council.

In the article it says that I’m not convinced that we’re getting the full story from the Council and from Serco about what’s going on at the pools and the leisure facilities and that there will be a debate at the Overview and Scrutiny meeting next month – gripping stuff.

Anyway, I start getting phone calls saying how bad things are now at the pools since Serco took over. These chime with tales that I’ve heard over the past twelve months and so I’m guessing there’s something in it.

Some of the issues revolve around staff, that they change frequently and that they are unhappy with the new setup. Also that the water seems to be colder since Serco took over (a common complaint, and one that the Council reacted to strongly when I asked last time).

There seems to be a thread that people feel like corners are being cut and that they are being squeezed for more and more money – for example the children’s swimming lessons are paid for in advance. I am told that previously the lessons used to have a break during the school holidays at Christmas, Easter and Summer. Now Serco are running the classes through the holidays and parents have to pay for the extra weeks whether or not they’re able to attend. I get the impression that people feel the service has gone down while the costs have increased.

If there are any more issues such as this I would be interested in hearing them. I don’t think we’re hearing half the story and it would be good to get some more information before the briefing at Overview and Scrutiny.