A major row has erupted between leading Castle Point politicians over the future of the borough's leisure services.

It was sparked by news that Canvey's Waterside Farm sports centre may be forced to shut for essential maintenance, and that the new Conservative-led council may pursue a private partnership deal.

This was the new administration's way of "trying to put things in order", and Councillor Bill Sharp (Con St James's) said: "There has been a best value review of leisure which has been quite scathing.

"We have lost money in every area."

But Dave Wells, former leader of the council's Labour administration, ousted at last month's council elections, hit out at the criticism.

He said: "They are blaming us for everything and making it look as if there is no alternative to privatisation.

"It's an old political trick to find excuses for privatisation and selling off public assets. Then the public will have no control over their own assets.

"When these things are in private hands, decisions will be made on the basis of profit, not the public good.

"This could hit some of our minority groups. Our policy was always based on sport for all."

However, Mr Sharp said: "The logic we are using is that if there is a private partnership, we will bring in professional people in the leisure industry who will help our assets."

Published Thursday, June 19, 2003

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