BASINGSTOKE looks set to get two new sports centre swimming pools and sports barns in out-lying areas, after borough councillors reached a compromise.

Members of the reconvened scrutiny committee on Thursday agreed that "part" of the £3million originally designated for sports barns in Beggarwood Lane and Chineham should be used for major refurbishment of Basingstoke Sports Centre's worn-out pools.

The borough Cabinet caused a row with its original proposal that the first call on the entire pot of money should be the pools scheme.

Thursday's meeting was continued from December 22, when the scrutiny committee's debate had to be adjourned after three-and-a-half hours.

The new recommendation will now go to the full council on February 19. If approved, it means that Conservative and Independent councillors have managed to guarantee a share of the money for sports facilities in the two outlying areas.

The cash comes from developers in Chineham and Beggarwood as part of their planning agreements with the borough. Labour group leader Cllr Sean Keating, who had the original Cabinet decision "called-in", said it was a "mature and effective decision".

He said: "I have no doubt that the council will ensure the financing of the appropriate leisure facilities will be made available."

The recommendation, finally put forward by Conservative councillor Keith Chapman, also included a more specific requirement for officers to consult with local organisations and parishes about the sort of facilities to be provided in Chineham and Beggarwoood. This is to be completed by the end of October.

Cllr Chapman had earlier accused the ruling Labour and Liberal Democrat group of being "a bunch of robbers".

Conservative Cllr Phil Heath, an outspoken opponent of the Cabinet plans, said after the meeting: "I now have more confidence. This compromise gives more certainty that more money will be left over for residents in the two areas. The previous scheme came up with no protection."

He said the full council could in future vote more money towards schemes for Chineham and Beggarwood.

However, Conservative leader Cllr John Leek was the sole committee member to abstain, saying he wanted to see more figures from the Sports Centre.

Council leader Rob Donnelly, who attended but is not a member of the committee, said: "Common sense has ruled the day."

Committee chairman Alex Green told The Gazette that the way the money is to be divided will be decided by the full council during its budget process. But he added that changes in the economy and the borough's fortunes might mean that none of the developers' contributions need be used.

He said: "It's a bit of a crystal ball exercise. There is quite a lot of uncertainty."

He added that the Sports Centre money may well come out of the next three years of council budgets, and said the current compromise would at least allow the Sports Centre to plan ahead and commission designs.

Basingstoke Sports Centre chief executive Steve Combes said the scrutiny committee recommendation was to be welcomed, adding: "It's a fairly refreshing approach for the committee to say 'How can we help both the Sports Centre and local residents?'."

He said every effort would be made to minimise the expenditure on the refurbishment, which was scheduled to begin late in 2005.