Prices at council-run island gyms and pools to rise by up to 30%

Gym memberships and swimming pool charges across council sites in the Western Isles are to rise by up to 30% to help tackle a £180,000 budget shortfall.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's education, sport and children's services committee agreed to the move.

It will see pay-as-you go prices for an adult swim increase from £5 to £6.50, and from £2.60 to £3.38 for children.

Councillors also approved a 15% increase on the cost of the comhairle's Slàinte Mhath leisure membership scheme, with a monthly family membership to rise from £30 to £34.50.

The family concession rate will increase from £22.50 to £25.88.

Officials had also recommended reducing cleaning at Lewis sports centre - Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais - to meet a remaining budget gap of almost £49,000.

However, councillors agreed to defer the cleaning cuts for the first quarter of the new financial year to assess whether income from memberships and fees would be sufficient.

During Wednesday's meeting, councillors expressed concerns about the impact on cleaning staff hours.

Chief executive Malcolm Burr said a reduction in hours would not necessarily mean a loss of income for staff as the comhairle's cleaning service currently had a number of vacancies across its service.

Councillor Calum MacLean also asked whether reduced cleaning could lead to increased infections.

Officers said pool cleanliness would not be affected, as the cleaning related to public areas such as corridors, window sills, and dust on walls.

It was confirmed that sports centre staff would be required to cover some cleaning duties if cleaning service hours were reduced, and the situation would be monitored.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Peter Urpeth.