ANGER about the closure of a leisure centre in Hagley reached boiling point at a public meeting last night.

Over 200 people gathered at Hagley Community Centre to face members of Bromsgrove District Council who are withdrawing funds for the Sports Centre in Brake Lane.

Members of the public hit out at the controversial plan which will see the centre’s staff made redundant in March.

Phil Street, executive director of Bromsgrove District Council, said: “I don’t want to infer we are not interested in health and fitness.

“We have to make difficult decisions because our budget is relatively limited, about £16m, we have to use resources wisely and carefully.”

Mr Street’s argument fell on stony ground with campaigners calling for more time to clear up a range of concerns including a lack of consultation with villagers.

Leading protestor, Dr David Nicholl, said: “The council has not been transparent about this issue, these facilities are being used and are an essential part of why we pay our council tax.”

Another issue to come under the spotlight was the involvement of Haybridge High School, the centre is part of their campus and pupils use its facilities during the day.

Haybridge Headteacher, Caroline Hoddinott told the meeting she was looking at ways to make the centre available to the public but negotiations were at an early stage.

She said: “We are a long way from being able to say what we can offer, my primary commitment is to the school, this would be a serious undertaking.”

The meeting also heard concerns from Tony Homer MBE, chairman of Haybridge School governors, about additional costs to the school of running the centre for the community, which could amount to around £50,000.

The council also faces questions about a grant of over £800,000 from Sport England, which provided funding to build the centre in 1999.

The grant was subject to a condition that the centre would be available to the community for 21 years and much of the cash would have to be repaid if community members were unable to use the centre.

Tony Homer said: “If Bromsgrove Council has still got an 11 year commitment, I would need legal advice.

“I don’t think they can just pass that to us, I can’t accept that.”

District councillor Chris Scurrell blamed the press for not informing residents of the decision to withdraw funding in 2006.

He told the meeting he was involved in the decision but Hagley was “stuck in terms of the media” and he was “not sure how much had registered in Hagley”.

He also insisted the centre was not closing and facilities would remain available, an opinion dismissed by campaigners.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr Nicholl said: “I am very disappointed by the response from the council and if you are going to remove funding, it is a closure.”

A further meeting for councillors and centre users, to discuss the future of the centre, is set for next week.