BY PETE HENSHAW

LEISURE charges throughout the borough are set to rise during the next year.

The increases are expected to raise a further £9,600 of income for Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council.

The proposed charges come at a time when the Crewe and Nantwich Leisure facilities are operating at a surplus of £38,420 against estimates for the year.

Councillors on the Leisure Committee will be discussing the proposed charges before final approval at a meeting today, Thursday January 18.

A report which is to be put before the committee states: "The suggested fees and charges recognise the needs and demands of customers and are designed to retain and develop usage of leisure programmes and facilities in a competitive environment."

The charges are for leisure centres, swimming pools and other sports facilities around the borough and effectively represent a small price hike across the board on most activities.

However the swimming charges for children, families and senior citizens are likely to be frozen as well as the charges for the use of Nantwich Civic Hall.

The charges which are approved will come into affect from April 1 this year.