West Lothian’s Leisure Trust has made a u-turn over a plan to exclude private instructors from holding classes in its six pools.
Dozens of families have been fighting proposals to exclude private tuition from October fearing alternatives would not be suitable for specialist swimming tuition.
A spokesperson for Xcite, the arms length leisure trust said it had “listened carefully” to parents and providers.
While welcoming the decision, swim providers remain unhappy at a perceived “lack of any real consultation” from Xcite and said the trust needed to be held “accountable.”
Xcite had planned to reclaim pool times currently leased to private instructors to expand its own public swimming sessions and in-house programmes.
Long-standing local swim schools—including Swim-IT West Lothian Turtle Pack, Keeping Afloat, and Michelle’s Swim Lessons— feared being pushed out of newer facilities like West Calder High School and Armadale Academy and offered slots at older smaller venues like Whitburn Academy.
Instructors have voiced major concerns, labelling proposed replacement pools as inadequate and unsafe for teaching. Relocating to older facilities often means louder, busier environments and reduced physical accessibility, creating major boundaries for neurodivergent and disabled youth.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service today (Thursday) Xcite said it had reconsidered plans and had “ paused” them.
A spokesperson for Xcite (West Lothian Leisure) said: “Following a period of consultation with affected swimming clubs and independent providers, the pool relocation proposals planned for October have now been paused.
“The proposals were developed to make better use of the pool capacity available across West Lothian and create additional opportunities for public swimming and swimming lessons within the school pools. At the same time, they aimed to support the long-term sustainability of swimming provision while continuing to work alongside clubs, independent providers and specialist programmes.”
The spokesperson added: “Having listened carefully to the feedback and additional information provided through the consultation, we have decided not to proceed with the current relocation proposals planned for October.”
“Providers have raised concerns about the potential operational and commercial impact of the proposed changes, including the future viability of some services. This was never an intended outcome, and no provider will be required to relocate under the current proposals.
“We will continue individual discussions with providers who wish to explore alternative arrangements that could work for their organisation. Where there is an appetite to progress a change, we will work with them to consider the options available.
“The proposals were not about replacing independent providers with Xcite swimming lessons. We recognise the important contribution these organisations make to swimming provision locally, while also recognising that there remains significant pool capacity across West Lothian that could be used more effectively.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with Scottish Swimming-affiliated clubs and independent providers to explore alternative ways forward that increase participation, make best use of the facilities we manage and support sustainable swimming provision across West Lothian.”
Michael Harkins from Turtle Pack swim academy told the LDRS. “It’s a good result for now, but the fact is that with the word choice of it being paused, does it mean the situation is over ?
He added: “The main thing to highlight is that we need to hold West Lothian Leisure accountable for its failure in proper practice because when we were first told about he relocation it was framed as a consultation but it was the furthest thing possible from that.
“In our first meeting we were told that decision had been made. They were just there to provide a relocation option. The first date given to us was 31 August. We were told our lets would be terminated.
Mr Harkins stressed that the swim providers are more in direct competition with each other than with Xcite, adding most providers felt that Xcite had disrespected the tutors.
“We would have expected that from a private entity but not from a public charity. There are a lot of processes which were completely ignored.
“We understand that Xcite is under pressure financially but that doesn’t mean it should be to the detriment of clubs that have all served the community for a number of years.
“The fact is that we have all worked together and we are happy to extend that to Xcite, but they first have to acknowledge they have not acted in the best way possible and that has resulted in the public backlash.”
by Stuart Somerville, Local Democracy Reporter
