A LEADING member of the National Assembly for Wales has voiced his disappointment over Torfaen Council Cabinet's decision, by just one vote, to close Blaenavon Pool and Leisure Centre as an 'example of the fundamental problem with local government today: local opinion being ignored.'

Mr Michael German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in the National Assembly for Wales, said all the expert evidence from the town had been ignored by the council: "The people of Blaenavon have been badly let down. All they were asking for was more time to get their proposals to run the pool themselves off the ground. With support from the council, this community facility could be preserved for the community. Instead, the council have ploughed on with their own plan.

"The pool was originally built after a campaign in the town over concerns of local children swimming in local pools and lakes. The Town Council says shutting the pool is a bad idea, local doctors have serious concerns and the people of Blaenavon just don't want this. Their concerns have been ignored."

Speaking on the outcome of the Cabinet's vote, Mr German said that he understood exactly why people feel as if they have been ignored: "It's pivotal moments like this that people see how local government works and they feel powerless to stop the will of the council bulldozing their plans through.

"The local action group have come up with an alternative plan that is backed 100 per cent by Blaenavon Town Council. They have shown a way to keep the Leisure Centre and Pool open by proposing that it should be run as a Charitable Trust by people in the town for local people. They just needed more time to formalise their proposals.

"Empowering local people to run local services and amenities is the way forward. With local authority elections just 10 months away, councillors who are indifferent to the views of their residents are likely to reap what they have sown."

Adding his voice of support to local campaigners, Mr German said that he would continue to lobbying for the campaign and for Blaenavon to keep it's local services despite the cabinet vote.

HOW the Cabinet of Torfaen County Borough Council voted in motion to close centre:

FOR CLOSURE: • Council leader Bob Wellington, Greenmeadow • John Cunningham, Upper Cwmbran • Marlene Thomas, Croesyceiliog South • John Turner, New Inn • Glyn Caron, Llanyrafon North

AGAINST CLSOURE: • Deputy leader Lewis Jones, Trevethin • Margaret Pead, Llanyrafon South • Neil Lewis, Blaenavon • Gwyneira Clark, Abersychan

ABSTAINING: • Rose Seabourne, Greenmeadow*

* Not allowed to vote as chairwoman of borough swimming group.