PLANS to introduce charges at Church Walk Paddling Pool have been put on hold.

Back in January, Northwich Town Council announced it was considering a £1 per person charge for all users, due to increased running costs.

The facility, which has been free for decades, operated at a loss of around £6,500 last year.

With many of its visitors travelling from outside the area, the introduction of the charge was seen as a way of clawing back some of those costs.

However, at its monthly meeting on Monday, April 4, councillors unanimously agreed to defer making a decision about the charge until next year.

Cllr Andrew Cooper said the ever-increasing cost of living crisis facing many of the town's residents, was his main reason for proposing the delay.

He said: "It's a difficult situation because the facts have obviously changed since the matter was last discussed.

"I'm very concerned about the impact of the cost of living crisis on people in the town.

"I know this is only a small thing but given that we're not yet ready to roll something like this out anyway, it makes sense to defer it until next year.

"It would also make sense to get a full picture on running costs because as we know, last year wasn't a normal year."

Cllr Cooper suggested that the council could consider the possibility of introducing a voluntary donation option on the booking system.

The decision to defer the introduction of charges was also supported by Cllr Lee Siddall, who said the possibility had 'opened up a can of worms'.

"I see families using this much-loved facility from areas outside Northwich and surrounding areas," he added.

"But unlike myself they get this facility for free because they don’t pay into the precept.

"I would question if it’s fair that less well-off families like myself who live in Castle or Leftwich are subsidising families who live in more affluent areas.

"I also think charging everyone will penalise people living within the Northwich Town Council catchment area as they will effectively be paying twice when they use this facility."

Although there will be no charges this year, the booking system will continue when the pool opens in May.

That will mean people can only make one booking per week, with each day split into two sessions (10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm).