I WAS concerned to read last week's article suggesting by Green Stroud councillor Simon Pickering that Dursley Leisure Centre was under threat from sell off by Stroud District Council.

Can I assure your readers that no decisions have been taken, and in any case, if this was even considered as an option, there would be a proper consultation with local residents, the town council, and other stakeholders.

It is true that central government has imposed severe cuts on the district council's funding for the coming year so we are facing pressure like never before.

If this pressure continues, the vital work of local government will become ever more difficult.

For now, the leisure centre brings in income and contributes to the local economy through the employment it provides, not to mention its priceless contribution to improving the wellbeing of local people.

Selling off such an asset doesn't make much sense to me especially when we have just invested in the new extension which will in fact make the centre even more financially sustainable.

I for one am looking forward to taking a dance class there when it opens and in fact last week in the council chamber I invited any councillors who fancy it to join me!

Doina Cornell

Ward councillor

Dursley