10.09.2004

Your Liberal Democrat Councillors in Worthing, under the leadership of Bob Smytherman and James Doyle, are continuing to oppose the Conservative policy of selling the Aquarena site - which includes the Paddling Pool, Peter Pan's Playground and the Boating Lake.  These facilities, which are so valuable to the residents of Worthing and to our seafront tourism businesses, would be demolished to make way for a multi-storey block of flats.

In the words of the Lib Dem leader Bob Smytherman, "This is not a vision for the future, it is vandalism of the seafront."

Residents, business leaders and many other local groups are united in supporting LibDem plans for a new pool on the current seafront site, but no consultation has yet been organised, and it appears this will not take place until after a decision has been taken.

Over the last two years, the Liberal Democrat administration had earmarked the Capital Investment to replace the Aquarena on its CURRENT seafront site.  The Lib Dems put in place plans for the sale of Grafton Deck and waste land at Sea Place Goring - useless to residents in its current state - to provide much needed housing.  The capital released from these sales would be enough to build a seafront facility that the town of Worthing can be proud of.

The Lib Dem opposition have now 'called in' this decision to be scrutinised by the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at 6pm on the 20th September. We hope that this will encourage the Tory group to think again about this policy.

Cllr James Doyle said, "This policy is nothing new for the Liberal Democrats. We were campaigning for the same cause in 2000, when Central Ward Councillors received over 4000 signatures on a petition to keep the Aquarena on the seafront."

Cllr Christine Brown, Shadow Cabinet Member for Leisure and Cultural Services said, "The Liberal Democrats are not opposed to change, however the change has to be for the better.  The Aquarena site could, with the right investment, become a jewel in Worthing's seafront crown.  Instead the Tories want to create more flats, privatising yet more public seafront space."

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