COUNCIL watchdogs have backed plans to increase leisure charges in Hambleton.

At a meeting on Tuesday, members of the cultural and social overview scrutiny committee supported a cabinet decision to raise charges by an average of 4.3pc from January.

The increases will bring in an extra £131,000 in revenue - £17,000 above the amount in the authority's budget.

But £15,000 is to be spent on a study of leisure fees and charges.

Facilities manager Steven Lister said for some activities the increases were significant in terms of percentages. But he added the council was now looking at extending opportunities for all-inclusive deals on a monthly payment basis. He said the main cause of increased costs has been staff superannuation.

Coun Geoff Ellis was concerned about a 15p rise in charges for Swim Kidz lessons, compared to a 10p increase in the cost of an adult swim. This would take the fees to £2.75 for Swim Kidz and £2.35 for an adult swim.

"We have got this the wrong way round," he said. "We should be encouraging youngsters, not pricing them out. Why has this gone up by 15p while adult swims are up by 10p?"

Mr Lister said junior swims reflected that principle with a 5p rise to £1.30.

"But Swim Kidz is our main income-earner," he said. "The average price elsewhere is £3.11, so we compare favourably. I know we need to encourage more people to come along, but I am also aware of that charge to us."

"I would rather see 15p on adult swims," said Coun Ellis.

Coun Stanley Nash said the sessions involved teaching and were labour intensive.

"The financing of leisure facilities is an increasing cost all councils are having to deal with," said Mr Lister. "The main areas of increase are in maintaining and staffing the centres. To control these increases, income is needing to rise above the rate of inflation.

"At the same time, the facilities need to price activities at levels attractive to the public."