Copyright belfastlive
An NI council is to make a big drive towards swimming for children. A committee at Ards and North Down Borough Council has agreed a motion aiming to provide access to swimming to every child in its borough, which has the longest coastline of all Northern Ireland's 11 council areas. At the council’s October meeting of its Active and Healthy Communities Committee, elected members agreed to a motion proposed by DUP Councillor James Cochrane. READ MORE: Ards North Down Mayor condemns "senseless" arson at woodland READ MORE: Split council votes for split leisure services in Ards and North Down The motion states: “This council recognises the importance of every child having the opportunity to learn to swim - a vital life skill that supports physical health, mental wellbeing and water safety. Swimming is not only one of the most effective forms of exercise, but also a key activity for building confidence and resilience in young people.” The chamber agreed to audit all current indoor swimming lesson provision and open water safety awareness programmes across the borough, and gauge local demand. Members also agreed to “develop a strategy to ensure that no child is denied access to swimming lessons or safety awareness programmes due to cost or capacity.” Councillor James Cochrane said at the council committee meeting: “I bring this motion because swimming is a vital life skill, not just a sport or hobby, but a fundamental safety measure. Particularly in a borough like Ards and North Down, where we have a substantial, and might I add, beautiful coastline. “We are fortunate to be blessed to live in a place with such a beautiful coastline, loughs, rivers and beaches, but with those comes serious risks. This motion asks us to take a proactive, evidence-based approach to ensure our children are equipped to stay safe and confident in and around water. “Swimming is unique, it benefits physical wellbeing, mental health, confidence and safety all at once. It is also a life-saving skill - across the UK, unfortunately it is one of the leading causes of accidental death among children. Many of these incidents occur in open water, not pools, often when young people over-estimate their abilities or don’t recognise the risks.” He said the motion did not assume there was a problem with access to swimming lessons in the borough, but said the council “did not know the full picture.” He said: “We don’t know if there are significant barriers to costs, capacity, transport or availability of lessons, particularly in more rural areas or for certain groups of children. But we do know nationally there are growing concerns about children’s access to swimming. We need to take a measured and local approach to gather evidence, identify gaps that exist, and then decide what action will need to be taken.” He added: “We are not asking the council to give a blank cheque, or to take on work that others are already doing effectively, we are asking the council to take a leadership role, working with partners like Swim Ulster, council-owned leisure centres, the RNLI and the Education Ulster to ensure no child is missing out unnecessarily.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter
