Harrow residents could be affected by a financial dispute between Harrow Council and the operators of Harrow Leisure Centre, following the temporary closure of the pool due to maintenance issues.
The pool was shut after an inspection revealed severe corrosion in the ceiling, which posed a public safety risk. This closure disrupted thousands of residents and local swimming clubs, who were forced to find alternative facilities.
The operator, Everyone Active, has lodged a claim for loss of income, potentially amounting to £300,000. Labour Councillors have criticised the Conservative-led Council, questioning whether proper maintenance was carried out and expressing concern over the financial implications.
Labour Group Leader, Councillor David Perry, commented, “Local Conservative Councillors should be embarrassed by the revelation that £300,000 of taxpayers’ money has been paid out to a private leisure operator for loss of income due to the Council failing in its duty to keep Harrow Leisure Centre operational. Many residents use and enjoy the Leisure Centre, and it is extremely profitable for the Council; is it so much to ask that they ensure the proper maintenance of facilities? It is totally unacceptable that local taxpayers should pick up the £300k bill for the oversights of the Conservative Councillors running the Council.”
However, Council Leader Cllr Paul Osborn responded by clarifying that no payment has yet been made and that the Council is disputing the claim. “There was a figure included in September Cabinet reports, but this is a worst-case scenario for forecasting purposes only. We are currently in dispute over this loss of income claim. No payment has been made and no sum agreed,” he said.
Cllr Osborn added, “We are disputing this claim as we believe it was the operator’s responsibility, under the contract, to carry out regular maintenance checks of the Leisure Centre building. Any payment that we may have to make will be because of the legally binding contract signed with the provider in 2013.”
He further noted that the contract with Everyone Active, the leisure operator, was established under Cllr Perry’s leadership during his time overseeing Community & Cultural Services. He said, “Harrow Labour have yet again shown a complete lack of self-awareness. During their 12-year tenure in control of the Council (2010 to 2022), as well as carrying out the procurement for this contract, they also invested next to nothing in leisure services or the Leisure Centre.”
Cllr Osborn also pointed out that the defect was discovered during structural surveys commissioned by the current administration to assess the condition of the borough’s buildings.
He said, “This defect only came to light because our Conservative administration commissioned a series of structural surveys to understand the condition of our buildings, something Labour failed to do during their control of the Council.”
Mark Leahy, Area Contract Manager for Everyone Active, said, “We are working together with the local authority to determine the outcome following the loss of income claim made by Everyone Active.”
Cllr Osborn added, “Harrow’s Conservative Council will continue to deliver good quality leisure services, while ensuring buildings are safe and that the taxpayer is receiving value for money.”
While the claim is still under dispute, the final outcome and potential financial impact remain unclear.
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