The closure of Sevenoaks Leisure Centre is extremely disappointing and distressing for former staff and club members. So, from the outset I want to provide reassurance to all Chronicle readers that the leisure centre will reopen. Sevenoaks District Council has plans in place to bring in a new operator, they are working hard alongside them to ensure this happens sooner rather than later.
Sadly, whilst the timetable for the reopening rests with Sencio’s Insolvency Partner, Sevenoaks District Council are meeting daily with the insolvency practitioner to work toward taking back control and I know share my desire for the centre to reopen as soon as possible.
Readers will know all too well the huge role Sevenoaks Leisure Centre plays in our community, and I am particularly worried about the loss of the swimming pool for our children. From the start I have made strong representation that arrangements are made to enable at least some facilities elsewhere to be used by Sencio members, and I am grateful to Everyone Active (who operate the council’s Swanley White Oak Leisure Centre) who have now offered Sencio gym members free access to any of their gyms for up to four weeks, as well as options for relocation to all schools and clubs who were already using the leisure centre.
Travelling to alternative sites will not be possible for everyone, and that is why I am still seeking for facilities closer Sevenoaks to be found - especially for both the younger and older members. Please follow my Facebook page for the latest updates.
My immediate focus remains on supporting members and staff impacted, however it is also vital that we understand why this occurred so suddenly despite such constant reassurances from Sensio to the council, and their board representatives, that the business remained viable. Serious questions remain unanswered, and it is only right that members, staff, and the council are given an explanation.
Budget
In more positive news, I was pleased to see many of my local priorities for Sevenoaks – as set out in my ‘My Plan’– featured in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget last week.
I know rising prices remain a real challenge for many residents and was therefore pleased the Energy Price Guarantee will be extended until the end of June 2023. This will save a typical household £160 over the next three months.
This is alongside the freezing of fuel duty for the thirteenth consecutive year, which will save drivers £100 over the next 12 months. And, in line with my pledge to support our local businesses, I was pleased that Draught Relief has been extended, reducing the price of an average pint in the pub by 11p. There is no doubt the past few years have been difficult for the hospitality industry, but I am hopeful this will help to support their post-pandemic recovery.
Providing affordable, high-quality childcare is also something I have been calling for since my election. And I was therefore delighted that the 30 hours of free childcare entitlement will be extended to all children with working parents over the age of 9 months by September 2025. This will reduce costs for families and give parents, and particularly mothers, more choice to return to work or increase their hours, if they wish to do so.
Finally, improving local transport infrastructure is vital for our town and earlier this year, I wrote in the Chronicle about the potholes plaguing our roads. Kent County Council has been working hard to keep on n top of them, but the additional £200 million pothole fund announced by the Chancellor, including £6,054,800 for Kent, will ensure that this continues. I will be pushing to ensure we get our fair share here in Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas.
The Government remains committed to cutting inflation and growing the economy, and I am pleased that it is delivering on our local priorities here in Sevenoaks.
