Finance officials battling to save taxpayers' money have secretly suggested closing a large leisure complex.

The Argus understands that Worthing Borough Council officers suggested that Field Place, Durrington, in the town could be shut to cut spending.

But senior councillors on the ruling Tory group said the idea was quickly dismissed.

They feared it would be a vote loser at the next local elections, but admitted that tough decisions would have to be made amid fears that Worthing might be hit in the new year by a massive bill for pensioners' free bus travel.

The Argus has seen an email exchange between various members of Worthing's cabinet relating to Field Place, an 18th century house with eight acres of grounds providing tennis, table tennis, netball, bowling, golf putting and petanque facilities.

There is also a children's playground, theatre, miniature railway, craft centre and hall for conferences, parties and wedding receptions.

In addition to Field Place, unnamed officers on the council's strategic finance group also suggested axeing one of the town's two safety boats and some public toilets.

Coun Kevin Skepper, cabinet member for leisure, said in an email: "I must admit I don't like it at all for the following reasons. Closure of Field Place, this saving is small when you take the income away and in the first year the savings would be almost nil with redundancy payments etc, and political dynamite for the Lib Dems.

"Forget about winning Castle ward next year.

"The cessation of the safety boat, we would be slaughtered in the Press if one life was lost. The Lib Dems would have a field day.

"Closing toilets is a vote loser wherever. Another win for the Lib Dems."

Coun Paul Yallop, cabinet member for resources, replied: "We need to review services on a one by one basis instead of letting the officers lead the process."

When contacted by The Argus, coun Skepper said: "Officers presented us with some options and they were all discounted.

"I wasn't very happy and made my views known. We ruled them out on the grounds that we don't want to see them go. We don't want to see cuts in services.

"If the concessionary bus fare situation gets any worse we might have to save money in other places."

Coun Yallop said the options were not something he had given any serious consideration to.

But he added: "It's going to be very difficult financially this year. There are some tough decisions to be taken. As councillors we are very keen to protect public services and I consider them as important public services.

"Our approach is to look to efficiencies which don't affect public services. I am not keen on closures at all."

Lib Dem coun Robin Rogers said: "I am totally against more toilets being closed, a reduction in safety boats, and the possible closure of Field Place. They are there for the community."

Coun Bob Smytherman, leader of the Lib Dems, said Field Place was part of Worthing's heritage and there was no way his party would support any closure of facilities there.

Last month the council said it must reduce costs by just over £1 million next year, £0.7 million in 2009/10, and £0.7 million in 2010/11 - a total of £2.4 million.

To meet the 2008/09 shortfall in Government grant aid, the Cabinet agreed to use £250,000 from reserves, and identified £600,000 in "efficiency savings", to help keep council tax increases under five per cent.

The merger of Worthing and Adur services was expected to save around £100,000 this year.

However, the council said further savings to balance the budget would have to be found from "lower priority services".

A report said the existing free bus fares scheme was likely to cost at least £200,000, possibly rising to £420,000 this year.

But in 2008/09 pensioners will be able to travel for nothing on buses all over the country and the council will be responsible for paying for journeys originating within Worthing irrespective of where the traveller came from.

With many OAPs from other parts of Britain holidaying in Worthing, the council could be hit by a considerable bill.

The council will get between £250,000 and £500,000 from the Department of Transport to help, but the report said: "It is by no means certain that the additional funding will be sufficient to cover the increase in costs."

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