Free swimming lessons, subsidised soft play and earlier splash park opening, amongst Lib Dem Budget proposals for next year

The Liberal Democrat administration at St Albans District Council is proposing a budget for 2027/28 which, if remaining financial uncertainties allow, would improve access to leisure facilities for families, especially those most in need.

Subject to any remaining financial uncertainties, these proposals are set to improve leisure, health and play opportunities for local families, helping to ease cost-of-living pressures and boost the health and wellbeing of children. 

For the next financial year only, the proposals include:

• An earlier opening of the splash park at Verulamium Park, so it can be enjoyed by local residents from May half term until the beginning of September.
• Some free swimming lessons at Harpenden Leisure Centre and Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre for children on free school meals, helping them to develop this vital life skill.
• Reduced price soft play at Westminster Lodge and Cotlandswick Leisure Centres during the summer holiday.

Lib Dem Councillor Helen Campbell, Chair of the Public Realm Committee, said:

“We know just how badly household budgets are being squeezed, with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. We hope that these plans will help relieve some of those pressures, ensuring every child has the opportunity to get involved in leisure and play activities locally.

“After repeated cuts to council funding and the financial mess left by the former Conservative administration, we’re excited to see our hard work tackling long-term budget pressures paying off and enabling us to put forward these proposals which have fairness at their heart.” 

Councillor Paul de Kort, Lib Dem Leader of St Albans District Council, said:

“We Lib Dems are glad to be delivering on our pledge to responsibly manage council finances in tough circumstances, freeing up capacity to fund important projects like these.

“We’ve worked hard to find space for these proposals in the upcoming budget, which we hope can provide key opportunities for families to get involved in activities that are good for their health and wellbeing, as well as being good for parents’ pockets.”