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Leader sorry over slippery floors Leader sorry over slippery floors
(40 minutes later)
A council leader says he "carries the can" for a failed £300,000 legal battle over leisure centre slippery floors.A council leader says he "carries the can" for a failed £300,000 legal battle over leisure centre slippery floors.
New Forest District Council spent £10,000 renewing floors at sports halls in Ringwood, Totton and Dibden Purlieu in 2004, but soon had complaints.New Forest District Council spent £10,000 renewing floors at sports halls in Ringwood, Totton and Dibden Purlieu in 2004, but soon had complaints.
Taxpayers' money was used taking the flooring firm to court when the real problem was cleaners using the wrong sort of wax.Taxpayers' money was used taking the flooring firm to court when the real problem was cleaners using the wrong sort of wax.
Members heard the results of an inquiry on Friday and vowed to "learn lessons".Members heard the results of an inquiry on Friday and vowed to "learn lessons".
Councillors agreed a number of recommendations to prevent any similar cases happening in the future.Councillors agreed a number of recommendations to prevent any similar cases happening in the future.
Council leader Barry Rickman said: "I carry the can for that, I am the leader.Council leader Barry Rickman said: "I carry the can for that, I am the leader.
Council leader Barry Rickman apologises over the slippery floors fiasco
"I deeply regret the whole issue and apologise to the rate payers of the New Forest."I deeply regret the whole issue and apologise to the rate payers of the New Forest.
"I hope that lessons are learnt out of this whole process which is why I wanted the level of review that we had today.""I hope that lessons are learnt out of this whole process which is why I wanted the level of review that we had today."
People began to complain about the slippery floors as soon as they were laid in 2004, prompting the council to close all three leisure centres.People began to complain about the slippery floors as soon as they were laid in 2004, prompting the council to close all three leisure centres.
It brought in a new company to replace the floors, but the council's lawyers wanted compensation.It brought in a new company to replace the floors, but the council's lawyers wanted compensation.
David Yates, chief executive of New Forest District Council, said the figure spent would not cause council tax in the district to rise.David Yates, chief executive of New Forest District Council, said the figure spent would not cause council tax in the district to rise.
The council has an overall annual budget of £23m.The council has an overall annual budget of £23m.