A CONTROVERSIAL decision to cut back on a scheme allowing past and serving members of the Armed Forces free access to council-run leisure facilities has been upheld by a panel of councillors.

The council’s co-ordinating committee met at Wallasey town hall on Tuesday to look again at the decision to alter the discount given to current and former members of the Armed forces, part of plans to transform the authority’s leisure services and save in excess of £2 million.

The decision, made by Wirral’s ruling cabinet in July, was blasted by those who use the scheme, who claimed it takes “discrimination of veterans to a new level” and targets those who have served to protect our freedom.

Opposition councillors used their call-in procedure to delay the decision but have been left disappointed after their attempts to keep the service intact failed.

Wallasey Conservative Cllr Paul Hayes, who led the campaign to prevent the cuts, said: “The call-in committee saw the council change tack and say it was introducing cuts the numbers of free passes it gives to veterans because of what they describe as ‘massive abuses’.

“If that’s the case, then why not just tackle the limited number of those who allegedly abuse the system rather than heaping more restrictions on a scheme for all of those veterans who deserve nothing but our sincere gratitude for their service?”

Cllr Hayes described the decision as “penny pinching on the backs of the brave” and said he could not imagine the confusion the new scheme’s implementation will cause among Wirral’s veterans.

He added: “I know we will continue to fight for this decision to be reversed and we will carry on gathering support for the petition which has been championed by local Wirral Veterans.”

Under the current scheme, all serving and former armed service personnel receive free use of facilities at all leisure facilities at all times.

But under the revised scheme, only serving members of the Armed Forces – including Territorial Army Reservists – who are Wirral residents will have free use of the centres.

Former personnel who have suffered a disabling injury when in service, and are in receipt of disability, continue not to have to pay.

Wallasey man Simon Johnston – who retired from the Army in 2004 after tours of Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan – previously described the changes as a “disgrace”, adding: “It has taken discrimination to a new level which is quite sick. It is a low blow to be honest.”

Councillor Chris Meaden, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, has previously defended the move.

She said: “Serving armed forces personnel from Wirral will still be able to access our leisure facilities free of charge, as will any former serving officers living locally who have suffered a disabling injury or receive disability benefits.

“Indeed, the plan is to improve our offer in this area by offering them one-to-one gym instruction and, working with other departments, a wider package of support.”