Decision

The Director of Corporate Services has approved the introduction of free swimming for children and young people aged 17 and under at the point of attendance, Monday to Friday (inclusive) between the hours of 10am and 4pm from Monday 3 August 2026 to Monday 31 August 2026 to support children’s health, wellbeing, physical activity and access to affordable leisure opportunities during the summer school holiday period at the following Wirral Council leisure centres :

• Europa Pools Leisure Centre
• Leasowe Leisure Centre
• West Kirby Concourse
• Oval Leisure Centre
• Guinea Gap Leisure Centre (when the pools are reopened following maintenance)

subject to:

• session availability;
• pool programming requirements;
• health and safety controls including suitably qualified staff availability;
• maximum bather loads;
• existing supervision rules;
• booking arrangements; and
• any exclusions required for swimming lessons, club bookings, private hire, specialist sessions or programmed activities.
• Any participating under the age of 8 being accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult. The responsible adult will not be required to swim if accompanying children between the ages of 8 and 17. This is in accordance with existing junior swim policies.

Reasons for the decision

The purpose of the decision is to support children, young people and families during the summer school holidays by removing cost as a barrier to swimming and physical activity.

The key reasons are:

1. Supporting health and wellbeing
Free access to swimming will encourage children and young people to be more physically active during the school holiday period.
2. Reducing financial barriers for families
School holidays can increase pressure on household budgets. Free swimming will give families across Wirral access to an affordable activity.
3. Promoting water confidence and safety
Swimming supports confidence in and around water and provides an opportunity for children and young people to develop positive relationships with aquatic activity.
4. Supporting inclusive access to leisure services
The initiative will widen access to Council leisure facilities and support the Council’s wider ambitions around prevention, wellbeing, inclusion and community participation.
5. Encouraging positive use of Council leisure facilities
The scheme provides an opportunity to introduce more children, young people and families to local leisure centres and potentially encourage ongoing participation beyond the summer holiday period.

The offer will apply to designated family and public swimming sessions only. It will not apply to:

• swimming lessons;
• water based classes
• school swimming provision;
• private hire;
• swimming club sessions;
• inflatable sessions, unless specifically included;
• parties or commercial bookings;
• sessions where additional charges are required due to enhanced staffing or equipment.

Children attending free swimming sessions will remain subject to standard admission policies, including age-related supervision ratios and any relevant safeguarding or health and safety requirements. A booking process may be used where required to manage demand, capacity and safe operation.