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- 2009
- April
- Councils sign learning pledge
- plans unveiled
- Billions needed to fix potholes
- Council launches bank to help struggling firms
- Local impact of public spending squeeze
- The Budget and efficiency savings
- The Budget and jobs
- The Budget and housing
- More CAA involvement for members
- Positive signs over Iceland payback
- Smart spending needed to create jobs – LGA
- Government backs councils’ plans to tackle ghost towns
- Free swimming for under 16s
- Rethink over business rates
- LGA reiterates report concerns
- Jargon busting inquiry launched
- Free bus scheme leads to cash shortfalls
Free swimming for under 16s
Almost 300 councils have signed up to a £140m government scheme to offer free swimming to over-60s and under-16s.
The scheme will allow around 20 million peopleto swim for free across England. Residents in areas where it is not on offer will be able to use pools in other areas. The scheme, guaranteed for at least two years, is part of the government’s aim to get people more active in the run up to the 2012 Olympics. More than £31m will go to councils in the first year to help meet costs.
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