LEISURE chiefs have come under fire for "keeping quiet" about a public meeting over the town's swimming pools.

Users and community leaders claim they only learned about Tuesday night's Talk-about session at the last minute.

The get-together with council officers provided the chance for them to air their views on the future of the pools and plans to spend £1.5million on improvements that include a retractable roof for the open air brine pool.

The borough's water space facilities have hit the headlines recently, with the controversial closure and condition survey of the Crewe baths, a row over a fitness centre contractand the earlier closure of Nantwich's sauna.

Leisure officers have already been criticised. Town councillors have demanded to be given more information and consulted over the future of the pools.

"We knew nothing and saw no publicity about this meeting which we hope is not going to be classed as our public consultation," said Town Councillor Joyce Stockton.

But Leisure Head, Byron Davies, said that the Talk-about was one of several designed to find out the public's views on a number of leisure facilities. Others involved Queens Park and the Lyceum. They were organised back in April.

"They are non political and the public can quiz us and give their own views on any aspect they like. If they do have strong views on how the £1.5million earmarked for the pools should be spent and the way forward then of course these will be taken on board. A survey and public consultations are part of the development programme," he add

But critic Barrie Durkin believes the current controversy surrounding the maintenance of the borough's water facilities may have prompted the officers to soft pedal publicity for the Talk-about.

"Hardly anyone knew about it. There were just a couple of low-key notices in the Crewe pool and the Nantwich indoor pool. That's not good enough," he said.

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