Council confirms 'heavy' leisure price increases

Why it matters: The changes will affect thousands of regular users across Ipswich's council-run facilities, with some of the steepest increases hitting family swimming sessions and gym memberships.

The big picture: Council officials say the rises are needed due to inflation, rising utility costs and staff pay increases.

• The decision aims to reduce council subsidies for leisure services
• Changes affect both casual users and members

By the numbers:

• Family swim tickets rising by £3.30 to £20.30
• Full gym, swim and classes membership increasing by £12.40 to £50.90 per month
• Casual gym sessions up by £2.60 to £10.10
• Swimming lessons increasing by up to £10.50 per session

Yes, but: Some residents have expressed concerns about the scale and timing of the increases. One iCard holder told Ipswich.co.uk: "The communication has been very quiet to iCard holders. For a county and town in dire need of improving health and fitness, these increases just feel too heavy and too quickly implemented."

The bottom line: The new prices take effect from 1 November, giving users just over three weeks' notice of the changes. The council says it has benchmarked its charges against other local facilities.