Zarah ChoudharyCouncillors in West Lancashire this week voted to save the Park Pool in Ormskirk and Nye Bevan in Skelmersdale.
This move aims to secure 70 jobs, and followed a campaign by GMB members and the local communities.
GMB will continue to work closely with members and West Lancashire Council to ensure the long-term sustainability of these services and to protect jobs, pay, and conditions for staff.
Tim Collins, regional organiser at GMB, said: “This is a huge victory for the workers and the community.
“GMB has fought tirelessly to protect these vital facilities, and we’re pleased to see that the voices of staff, service users, and residents have been heard.
“Public services like swimming pools and ranger services are lifelines for our communities, providing jobs, health benefits, and vital green spaces.
“Thanks to our members’ determination and the support of key councillors, we’ve saved more than 70 jobs and secured the future of these services.
“The decision to keep them open shows that when we stand together, we can protect the services that matter.
“We’ll continue to work constructively with the council to ensure these facilities remain sustainable for years to come.”
A spokesperson from West Lancashire Borough Council said: “Councillors are still to set a balanced budget.
“West Lancashire Borough Council’s elected members have not set a balanced budget at the annual budget setting meeting on 26th February 2025.
“Given the decision by Councillors to keep Nye Bevan and Park Pool leisure facilities open, the Director of Finance and Resource withdrew the budget setting report due to the increase of the budget gap from £2.11m to £3.39m in 2026/27 and a further increase to £4.11m the following year, which meant a balanced budget could not be set at that time.
“A balanced and legal budget still needs to be set before 31st March 2025, with Councillors now needing to again meet in the coming weeks to try and achieve this outcome by looking at all alternative options which will include additional cuts to council services and raising charges.”
