A review is underway of the Learn to Swim programme offered by Penrith Swimming Club.
We recognise that this has generated a high level of public interest and strength of feeling due to the club’s long standing role in the Penrith community, historic contribution to the leisure centre and competitive success.
We would like to clarify that references to responsibilities, safeguarding, qualifications, facility use and operational procedures were used to describe standard considerations for our obligations around leisure contracts. There is no suggestion of impropriety on the part of the Swim Club or its volunteers. We apologise for any distress caused by the use of these terms when discussing the review. Penrith Swimming Club is a Swim England affiliated club and has maintained the highest level of Swim England club accreditation for 10 consecutive years, requiring regular scrutiny of safeguarding, welfare, governance, coaching and club procedures.
As a Council, we acknowledge that communication regarding this matter has not been as clear as it should have been. We apologise for any confusion about the scope of the review and for any misconceptions about the club’s current activities and practices that may have arisen as a result.
The review of the Learn to Swim programme is part of a wider standardisation process across GLL's leisure portfolio. Penrith Swimming Club’s club-ready sessions, talent pathways, and competitive swimming opportunities are not included in the review and there are no proposed changes to these activities or the Club’s use of the leisure centre pools for these purposes.
Penrith Swimming Club do not currently have a formal arrangement in place for their Learn to Swim programme. This situation has arisen from historic arrangements that developed over the many years that the Club has been based at the Leisure Centre. There is no suggestion that the absence of a formal agreement was intentional or that the Club is at fault. The Swimming Club have been working with us to look at formalising this arrangement since 2023.
We are working with Penrith Swimming Club and GLL to support constructive discussions. Meetings are already scheduled and we have engaged Swim England who are supporting the conversations and helping to ensure that any future arrangements align with national guidance and best practice. No decisions have been made yet. Our focus remains on finding a positive and sustainable way forward and we absolutely want to ensure there is no threat to the future of the swimming club.
We are committed to ongoing collaboration with sports clubs to address local need and strengthen opportunities for our communities to participate in physical activity. It is important that we have arrangements in place that clearly outline each party’s responsibilities regarding how activities are operated. As a new Council, it is important that we regularise arrangements across providers in all areas, in accordance with best practice, to ensure the best offer for our communities.
Penrith Swimming Club remains a valued partner in developing swimming opportunities across Penrith and Eden and we are exploring options to formalise future partnership arrangements through an appropriate Community Use Agreement and to strengthen the club's role within the wider swimming pathway. This agreement would follow Sport England best practice and Penrith Swimming Club would be appropriately involved throughout the process.
Penrith Swimming Club have played an integral role in developing our young swimmers over many years and we appreciate the high standard of coaching they hold and will continue to offer.
Westmorland and Furness Council fully recognise the crucial role of learn to swim programmes in both keeping our young people safe around open water, and in providing opportunities for performance development and competitive swimming.
This is a particularly important life skill in our area, due to the significant presence of open water. This summer we have delivered free water safety sessions to more than 200 children, in partnership with leisure providers and Cumbria Water Safety Partnership Group. Swimming remains a core element of our physical activity and leisure offer in which effective partnerships are embedded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Penrith Swimming Club being stopped from using Penrith Leisure Centre?
No. Penrith Swimming Club’s talent progression and competitive swimming activities are not part of this review and there are no proposed changes. Only the Learn to Swim programme for beginners is under review.
Penrith Swimming Club remains a valued partner in developing swimming opportunities across Penrith and Eden and we are exploring options to strengthen the club's role within the wider swimming pathway.
Has a decision been made about the future of the Penrith Swimming Club Learn to Swim Programme?
No. The programme is under review but no decisions have been made. Penrith Swimming Club will be consulted throughout the review.
Who is involved in the review?
Discussions are ongoing between:
Westmorland and Furness Council - the owner of Penrith Leisure Centre
Greenwich Leisure Limited - a UK based charitable social enterprise and worker owned cooperative that operates Penrith Leisure Centre, along with other leisure, health, cultural and community services on behalf of local authorities
Penrith Swimming Club – a local swimming club, formed in 1881 and based at Penrith Leisure Centre, with a strong history of competitive achievement
Swim England - the recognised national governing body for swimming and aquatic sports in England
Will all Learn to Swim lessons be stopped in Penrith Leisure Centre?
No. We recognise the importance of learn to swim programmes in keeping our young people safe around open water, and providing opportunities for performance development and competitive swimming. Swimming remains a core element of our physical activity and leisure offer.
This is a particularly important life skill in our area, due to the significant presence of open water.
As part of this process it must be decided whether the Penrith and Eden communities would be best served by
- a single offer of beginner Learn to Swim lessons from GLL
- separate offers of beginner Learn to Swim lessons from GLL and Penrith Swimming Club
Why is this review necessary?
As the contracted provider operating Penrith Leisure Centre, GLL are reviewing operations in line with their other centres to ensure best practice.
As a Local Authority we need to make sure that appropriate formal arrangements are in place for providers across all areas and this is part of a wider review across Leisure Services.
As part of this process it must be decided whether the Penrith and Eden communities would be best served by
- a single offer of beginner Learn to Swim lessons from GLL
- separate offers of beginner Learn to Swim lessons from GLL and Penrith Swimming Club
Swim England will support this process.
Why are documented arrangements necessary
As a local authority, we have a responsibility to ensure we have documented arrangements in place with our providers, to set out expectations and responsibilities for all parties. This protects the Council, our providers and partners and our residents, including the Swimming Club.
Penrith Swimming Club do not currently have a formal arrangement in place for their Learn to Swim programme. This situation has arisen from historic arrangements that developed over the many years that the Club has been based at the Leisure Centre. There is no suggestion that the absence of a formal agreement was intentional or that the Club is at fault. The Swimming Club have been working with us to look at formalising this arrangement since 2023.
If the outcome of the review is that Penrith Swimming Club Learn to Swim Programme continues, then a formal agreement will be put in place.
The absence of a documented arrangement is not unique to Penrith Swimming Club – it is something we are working to address as a new Council with different providers across all areas.
Who are Swim England?
Swim England is the recognised national governing body for swimming and aquatic sports in England. It oversees and supports swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo, and open water swimming throughout the country.
Its main roles include:
- Helping people learn to swim through the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme.
- Setting rules, standards, and regulations for aquatic sports in England.
- Supporting swimming clubs, coaches, teachers, officials, and volunteers
- Organising national competitions and talent development pathways.
- Promoting water safety and encouraging participation in swimming for health and wellbeing
When will a decision be made?
There is no set date for a decision to be made at this stage. Meetings are scheduled to take place in late August and September.
Is this decision only about money?
No. Considerations include:
- national best practice
- standardisation of services
- operational and governance obligations
- ensuring the best service for young swimmers of all abilities, including a strong progression and talent pathway
- future sustainability for both the leisure centre and the swim club
- accessibility for under-represented and disadvantaged groups
Financial considerations include:
- the potential impact of any changes to the Learn to Swim programme on the sustainability of Penrith Swimming Club
- the viability of GLL’s own established Learn to Swim programme which also runs from Penrith Leisure Centre
Both GLL and the Council are committed to supporting our young people in learning to swim and worked together with the Cumbria Water Safety Partnership to deliver free Float to Live sessions for more than 200 children this summer.