CONSULTATIONS over the future of the Barbican pool may not be thorough and open, according to City of York Labour group.

A new blueprint for the Barbican was unveiled last month and could see £1.4 million being used to refurbish the Yearsley and Edmund Wilson pools.

It would, however, mean the proposed eight-lane county standard swimming pool planned at the Barbican would be downgraded to a six-lane community pool.

Labour's spokesperson for leisure and heritage, Coun Alan Jones, said he was concerned the ruling Lib Dems were not taking the consultation seriously.

He said some members of the public were not being properly involved and were not aware of the options.

He said: "The council should go out and positively ask people, not just sit back and wait for people to come to them." He added that the choice between a county standard and a community pool was an important one, and could affect the status of swimming in the city.

He said: "We know a county standard pool would increase involvement in swimming in York, and its size makes it so much more flexible - we could have range of activities going on in the pool at any one time."

The executive member for leisure and heritage, Coun Keith Orrell, said: "As the users of these pools know there has been a threat of closure for some time.

"The new proposal for a community pool would increase the receipt to the council from the Barbican development by £1.4 million.

"This would help to fund the

refurbishment of the other pools - the only funding option available to us as the Government will not currently allow the council to borrow money for leisure facilities.

Coun Orrell said that people were being given the opportunity to air their views.

He said: "Individual people and groups who responded to the first consultation will be contacted for their views.

"In addition, there will be opportunities for people visiting the Barbican to give their views.

"Across the city people will be able to respond on the council's website. I appreciate that many people do not have their own computers to respond via the website, but some may be able to use the computer facilities at their local library."

Updated: 10:17 Tuesday, July 01, 2003