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North Wales Live
24-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Drop in number of children learning to swim on Anglesey 'not too concerning'
An Anglesey councillor says he is "not too concerned" over figures showing a decline in demand for children's private swimming lessons at leisure centres. A drop in demand for the "vital" safety lessons by Môn Actif had been reported last week following a corporate scrutiny meeting. The details were published in a report about Anglesey County Council's Quarter 4 score-card results for 2024/25. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Q4 is the final scorecard for the financial year showing the council's performance against strategic objectives outlined in its Council Plan. The report had noted target successes and areas where the council's leadership team were "exploring and investigating to manage and improve". The final Q4 report came before the council's executive today, Tuesday, June 24, presented by Cllr Carwyn Jones. The report stated that Môn Actif - the brand name for the council's leisure centres - had seen a fall in the average number of children undertaking swimming lessons throughout the year. In education, Môn Actif had seen the average number of children undertaking swimming lessons throughout the year recorded as 1,747 against a target of 1,900. The number of Anglesey children on the Nofio Môn Swimming programme in Q4 was 1,682, a slight decline on the Q3 performance of 1695. "This performance brings the average number for 2024/25 to 1,747. These figures do not include children undertaking swimming lessons through the primary schools, for which 3845 children attended sessions during the 30-week block," it stated. "Demand for places has decreased and there is currently only one centre with a waiting list. The reasons for the decline in demand remain unknown." Last week, Councillor Jeff Evans, during the corporate scrutiny meeting, had expressed concern over what he described as a "vital skill," considering that Anglesey was "an island surrounded by water". Speaking today, portfolio holder for leisure, Cllr Neville Evans, said of the issue: "The press has given this a lot of these are private lessons offered in the leisure centres, not school swimming lessons. "This trend on Anglesey is seen in other councils, the numbers are similar to before Covid and lockdown. "There is regular discussion in leisure centres about numbers, we ask customers for feedback but we don't receive a significant response." He also noted that the press had given "a lot of attention" to another swimming scheme, the Swim Safe programme. "I was on the beach in Trearddur Bay beach last week, where a number of children from schools across the island attended Swim Safe," he said. "It is a really positive project, and Môn Actif has won a national award for this scheme, and 500 pupils last year completed the Swim Safe lessons on beaches, it is something we should be proud of." He added: "The numbers are down, but that is also true across Wales. "I am not overly concerned by these figures, but we do consider swimming is important for children on the island."
North Wales Chronicle
24-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Consistent drop in Anglesey children learning to swim
Councillors on Anglesey are 'looking into' why less youngsters are learning the vital skill. During a meeting, councillors heard there had been a drop in the number of kids taking part in the Nofio Môn Swimming programme. During a discussion on the council's 'corporate score card' results for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, councillors heard the number of children attending swimming classes was 1,682. This was slightly down on the third quarter level of 1,695. In Quarter One it had been 1,847, and 1,806 in the second quarter. The average for 2024/25 fell to 1,747, below the Quarter Four target of 1,900. This had not included children taking swimming lessons through primary schools, where 3,845 children had attended sessions during a 30-week block. MORE NEWS: Bangor man returns to prison after assaulting a policeman 'with force' Top honours for Coleg Menai's most 'outstanding' students Pedestrian in hospital with 'serious' injuries after being hit by vehicle in Gwynedd Conwy Tunnel fire: A55 vulnerabilities to accidents and delays exposed by blaze The meeting heard demand for places on the council's scheme was declining, and there was now only one centre on the island with a waiting list. The council's portfolio holder for leisure Cllr Neville Evans said: 'We just don't know why it's happening, we're looking into it. 'There's been a consistent decline, but it's happening in other council areas too.' Enhanced coaching and training for staff had been undertaken at the end of March, through Swim Wales, and it was hoped this would 'further improve' the quality of lessons provided. 'It could be due to a number of reasons, the cost of living, or even more leisure activities available now,' he added. MORE: Historic coaching inn used as council offices in Caernarfon could become flats He also queried if the target was 'too high'. It was agreed that the service would work with leisure centres to promote the swimming programme. Cllr Jeff Evans, the committee's chair, said due to the 'astonishing number of deaths going on around the country' he felt it was necessary for the committee to 'get on top of the issue'. 'We must maximise the opportunities for learning to swim, living here on the island we are surrounded by water,' he said.
Wales Online
20-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
'Consistent' drop in children learning to swim on 'island surrounded by water'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A county "surrounded by water" has seen a "consistent drop" in the number of children learning how to swim. Councillors on Anglesey are "looking into" why less youngsters are learning the vital skill. During a meeting on Tuesday, June 17, councillors heard there had been a drop in the number of kids taking part in the Nofio Môn Swimming programme. During a discussion on the council's "corporate score card" results for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, councillors heard the number of children attending swimming classes was 1,682. This was slightly down on the third quarter level of 1,695. In Quarter One it had been 1,847, and 1,806 in the second quarter. The average for 2024/25 fell to 1,747, below the Quarter Four target of 1,900. This had not included children taking swimming lessons through primary schools, where 3,845 children had attended sessions during a 30-week block. The meeting heard demand for places on the council's scheme was declining, and there was now only one centre on the island with a waiting list. The council's portfolio holder for leisure Cllr Neville Evans said: "We just don't know why it's happening, we're looking into it. "There's been a consistent decline, but it's happening in other council areas too." Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Enhanced coaching and training for staff had been undertaken at the end of March, through Swim Wales, and it was hoped this would "further improve" the quality of lessons provided. "It could be due to a number of reasons, the cost of living, or even more leisure activities available now," he added. He also queried if the target was "too high". It was agreed that the service would work with leisure centres to promote the swimming programme. Cllr Jeff Evans, the committee's chair, said due to the "astonishing number of deaths going on around the country" he felt it was necessary for the committee to "get on top of the issue". "We must maximise the opportunities for learning to swim, living here on the island we are surrounded by water," he said. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
