THERE were boos and cheers as two councillors faced each other in a heated dispute over a town’s axed leisure plans.
Pierre Oxley, Tendring Council’s former councillor responsible for leisure, and Stephen Mayzes, who replaced him in May, spent more than an hour discussing proposals to refurbish Dovercourt Swimming Pool and build a new gym at Harwich Sports Centre.
Mr Oxley presented Harwich Town Council with the business case. But Mr Mayzes said the plans would not go ahead because of a lack of money.
He said: “These plans are not going to happen and it’s as simple as that.”
He was asked to resign by district and town councillor Dave McLeod during the heated debate.
Questions were raised by councillors after Mr Oxley said the plans were financially viable and the council simply did not want to see them through.
Residents were left with a “pledge” by Mr Mayzes that air conditioning at Dovercourt Swimming Pool would be replaced in the next year.
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