Michael Fabricant is calling on councils in the West Midlands to apply for funds to support municipal swimming pools.

Michael says:  “Phase II of the swimming pools fund opened for applications on the 7^th September and will provide investment in energy efficiency measures for pools and leisure centres to reduce future operating costs and make facilities more sustainable in the long-term. The fund is being distributed by Sport England, on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and the Department for Levelling Up, Homes, and Communities through a competitive process and I hope local authorities will apply.”

Stuart Andrew, the Minister for Sport says:  “Authorities responsible for leisure provision, and this may include district councils in two-tier areas, will need to co-ordinate one application for their local area which collates any requests from charity and community pools as well as their Local Authority-led provision.

“Local Authorities will have until 17 October to make their applications, with funding being confirmed to successful facilities by the end of the year.”

Michael adds:  “I have brought this to the attention of Lichfield District Council.  They have quite a tight schedule to apply, but I hope this grant can be used for the proposed new Lichfield Leisure Centre despite it not being under construction yet.  They will need to seek guidance from Sport England.”