Echo Carnell, 11, and Sarah Smith, 12, protest to save Ladywell swimming pool LE3300/B
THE MAYOR is "running scared" from the Ladywell Leisure Centre issue after protesters forced a political move they say demonstrates he is losing his grip on the party.
At a meeting of the full council political manoeuvring saved Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock from an uncomfortable debate over controversial plans to close the pool.
A 200-strong demonstration outside the council offices pre-empted a motion by Liberal Democrat councillor Julia Fletcher who called for the pool to remain open until the replacement is completed.
But a second motion, by Labour group leader Councillor Gavin Moore, delayed the potentially volatile debate until options for other sites have been considered, despite repeated assurance by the Mayor all options have already been considered.
Save Ladywell Pool Campaigner organiser Max Calo said: "With this excellent piece of theatre they hope to buy themselves some time.
"We know many Labour councillors don't support this decision but they don't have the courage yet to challenge the Mayor's leadership openly.
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"He is running scared and I'm not sure if it's because of our popularity or of losing his grip on his majority."
Despite full support of opposition parties including the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Socialist, Cllr Moore's motion was passed, although the absence of a third of Labour members fuelled speculation the party is split over the issue.
The mayor told the meeting: "I am not an unreasonable person and have no desire to see the pool closed, which is why we have spent so long trying to square that particular circle.
"But tell me where we can put a school and if it's workable I will move that motion myself."
A full council meeting to debate the closure of the Ladywell pool will be held before October 28.
Campaigners fighting to keep it open have vowed to continue their work and will hold a public meeting at at Ladywell Leisure centre, on October 7, at 7pm.
Plans are unpopular
PLANS to demolish Ladywell Leisure Centre and replace it with a £22m four form entry secondary school were unveiled by the Mayor in June.
Pupils will use the site of the former Ennersdale Primary in Leahurst Road, Lewisham, from 2006 and will move to the new school when completed, in 2009.
The Ladywell pool will close in 2007 and a new leisure centre will open in 2010 as part of
the Lewisham Gateway
development.
Pressure from parents calling for a new school in the north of the borough forced the council to make these plans but they are unpopular because some parents say they do not adequately meet the north's needs.
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