USERS of a Wirral sailing school say they are outraged by council plans to privatise the centre in a bid to save £25,000.

Residents and business owners in West Kirby have grouped together to raise awareness to ensure that Wirral Sailing Centre remains accessible for all residents of the borough and further afield to enjoy.

Wirral Council is currently consulting on whether to transfer day-to-day operations of the facility at Marine Lake to another organisation.

The proposal is part of a range of cost-saving measures being put forward by the cash-strapped authority as part of plans to save £18m next year.

But campaigners fear privatising the sailing centre could put its future at risk and with it, the unique resource it offers to the community.

Two of those campaigning for the centre to remain in council hands are mother-of-two Kath Connor and father-of-three Mark Shipley, who have both been visiting the school for years and achieved their Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualifications there.

“We are extremely privileged to have such a fantastic facility at our fingertips, teaching children and adults of all ages and abilities to sail and enjoy such a wide variety of water-sports,” said Kath, who has been sailing on Marine Lake since she was 14.

“Both of my children use the sailing school regularly and my eldest daughter, my husband and I have all done our RYA qualifications there.

“Wirral Sailing Centre is a vital resource for anyone interested in water-sports.”

Currently run by Wirral Council, the centre enables inclusive and cost effective access to a wide range of water-sports and activities for all ages and experience levels in windsurfing, dinghy sailing and kayaking.

It is also a registered RYA training centre and home of West Kirby Warriors, the defending T15 national windsurfing champions.

The centre also helps special needs children, visually impaired sailors and drug and rehabilitation groups.

Mark Shipley, who regularly takes his three children to the school, said: “The council’s proposal is based on it saving £25,000 of the £15.5m it reportedly requires to save over the next year – this represents a saving of just 0.16%.”

Wirral Globe:
Wirral Council is looking to privatise the day-to-day operations at Wirral Sailing Centre

Campaigners say the proposals to privatise the centre will affect a number of groups including West Kirby Sailing Club, Wirral Disabled Marine Association and various Sea Scout groups.

An e-petition has been set up in the hope of stopping such proposals going ahead and needs 3,000 signatures by October 31.

Mark added: “We want to help the school as much as we can and have set up a Friends of Wirral Sailing School Facebook page for likeminded parents to support and help the school.”

A spokesperson for Wirral Council said the option to transfer day-to-day operations to another organisation would ensure the facility is kept open, while “removing some of the financial burden on the authority”, similar to the set up at New Brighton Marine Lake.

“We would urge people to express their views through the council’s Future Council consultation, which closes on October 31,” said the spokesperson.

“The findings of the consultation will help inform our decision around the best means of delivering this and other services, and choosing the most efficient and effective option.”

The council stressed that this does not mean they will be “outsourcing” services for the sake of it and will be “analysing, modelling and researching the best, most appropriate and cost-effective way” of delivering every council service in the future “using a fair, systematic and consistent approach”.

To sign the e-petition, click here.