FREE swimming for children in the school holidays at borough leisure centres faced a delay after Labour councillors introduced an amendment to a Conservative motion, in a move dubbed as 'petty' by opposition councillors.

The motion called on the council to commit to free swimming for under 16s in council-run leisures centres and was originally put forward last October by Cllr Ruth Buttery.

The initiative was first introduced by the previous Conservative administration, but has not been in place since October half term last year.

Labour councillors, however, expressed their concern with the motion at full council this week (Feburary 18), where the initiatives' accessibility and management was called into question.

The amendment, put forward by Cllr Ahmed, called for a review of the scheme's equality strands and for its roll out to be properly managed.

Cllr Ahmed said he supported the initiative but work was needed to tackle the lack of take-up in some areas of the borough, especially amongst children from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Cllr Cathryn Baynton supported this and added: "This needs to be inclusive but there was underrepresentation of BME children and children from deprived wards we need to to know why."

She added that the initiative needs a full review so that the scheme benefits 'all of our children'.

Labour councillors insisted they support free swimming for children but the amendment provoked an angry response from opposition councillors.

Cllr Les Jones blasted the amendment as 'petty and party political', adding: "Let's get the principle established and forget about petty party politics."

Cllr Shaun Keasey demanded to know why Labour councillors were 'dragging this out', while opposition leader Cllr Harley added: "Only the Labour Party could take one of the most successful initiatives and make it so complicated."

The chamber did not vote on the amendment, so it will be debated again at April's full council meeting.