A TOWN council says it has become a ‘meal ticket’ after paying thousands into a community swimming baths.

At the annual budget meeting, Connah’s Quay councillors discussed whether they should continue the £15,000 Cambrian Aquatics Subsidy.

Cllr Bernie Attridge said although he ‘fully supports’ the baths, he ‘cannot support’ paying that amount.

He added: “If a submission is made, we look at it. I personally feel we have more than honoured our agreement as a town council.”

As a result, Connah's Quay has paid the full £15,000 for the past four years.

Members heard how the original agreement would see a £5,000 payment from each community council in the area, but despite securing it from Connah’s Quay, other councils were ‘not interested’.

Cllr Alan Roberts said: “Only one community council put £200 in, the rest of the community councils aren’t interested in it one iota.

“Welsh Assembly stopped free swimming for pensioners, and no one came here to tell this authority what they were going to do.

“People in Connah's Quay are paying it through their rates.”

Cllr Ian Dunbar added: “They have done nothing for Connah’s Quay. They have ignored us since they have been getting money. They haven’t kept to what they promised.

“They are charging the same for people already paying for the baths from their rates. I think this time we should withhold it all together. They have given no support to Connah’s Quay.”

Cllr Andy Dunbobbin proposed to keep £5,000 aside if the aquatics asked for them.

However, Cllr Anthony Wren said they deserved the full amount as they have ‘turned the hall around’.

He said: “The number of learner swimmers going through the doors has increased year on year since they’ve taken over and that was why it was opened in the first place, to prevent a drowning.”

Cllr Andy Dunbobbin said: “They are taking it as a given, they need to show this town council a bit of respect.

“They have become a bit too reliant on the good nature of members here representing the people of Connah’s Quay. I don’t want it to seem like we aren’t supporting the baths, we are. We are a meal ticket.”

Cllr Ron Hill added: “They have done an excellent job and work really hard, it’s all voluntary, but they have treated this council with contempt.

“They said they would use our facilities. They only come to us when they are getting into difficulty.

“At the end of the day we need to send a letter to them saying this town council is not happy. If they ask, they get it.”

Councillors voted in favour of removing the £15,000 subsidy but keeping £5,000 aside to review again if Cambrian Aquatics ask for it.

Cllr Nathan Jones said that over the past few years the council had given over £60,000 but it would be ‘unfair’ to reduce the funding completely to what is a ‘community asset’.