Saturday 19 November 2022

COUNCIL-RUN leisure centres across the East Riding could start closing earlier, East Riding Council’s Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder has said. Cllr Mike Medini said there were no plans to close any leisure centres but some could shut earlier when visitor numbers are low. 

East Riding Council leader Jonathan Owen told a full meeting of the authority that serious decisions around spending lay ahead, amid mounting financial uncertainty. He said senior councillors were currently in talks with officers about its budget position amid a widening hole in the authority’s finances.

He added rising energy costs and high pay settlements were among the factors driving up spending as inflation continues to climb and the cost of living crisis deepens. Cllr Medini said leisure centres’ important role in helping communities mattered more than ever given the current climate. But he added the council was looking at scaling opening hours back.

GRANTS to a number of Beverley organisations and groups will be under discussion at Monday night’s meeting of Beverley Town Council’s Policy and Finance Committee. Discussions will centre on the second year of partnership grants to the following groups: £3,000 to the Cherry Tree Community Centre, £3,000 to Beverley Rugby Union FC, £3,000 to Beverley Puppet Festival, £2,000 to Beverley in Bloom, £1,750 to Stage4Beverley arts festival, £1,500 to the Beverley Barge Preservation Society, and £1,200 to the Two Churches One Town project.

In addition, the Beverley Lemgo Twinning Association and the Beverley Hanseatic League have jointly applied for a grant of £2,000.