A petition was presented to the meeting of Council  on 13 December 2016 to save Queensbury Pool from closure.  Council referred the matter to Executive for further consideration.

The Strategic Director Environment and Sport will submit a report (Document “AU”) which sets out a response to the petition, including options.

Recommended –

That the Executive agree, Option 1: confirm the intention that when the

new pool at Sedbergh opens, Queensbury Pool will be offered for

community management and if no solution can be found the pool will

close.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Economy

                                                                        (Phil Barker – 01274 432616)                                           

A petition was presented to the meeting of Council  on 13 December 2016 to save Queensbury Pool from closure.  Council referred the matter to the Executive for further consideration.  The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “AU”) which set out a response to the petition, including options.

The lead petitioner was present at the meeting along with a pupil from one of the schools that regularly use the pool.  The following points were made:

·         That although the petition had been considered by Full Council, more signatures could have been obtained.

·         That as the lead petitioner, she had only been advised of the meeting last Thursday and had not been given adequate time to prepare for this meeting.

·         That if the closure went ahead many thousands of pupils would be affected.

·         That the petition had received good press coverage, with interest from television and the T&A backing the campaign.

·         That it was not feasible to travel to the proposed new pool, as it would entail a long journey either by minibus or via public transport.

·         That the financial appraisal for the proposals did not stack up, as the Council would have to borrow money in order to build the new facility, and  that the previous proposals had to be shelved due to the inadequacy of the financial model.

·         That the Council had already wasted money on the previous proposals, and closing a local facility will have a detrimental impact on the community and the schools that use Queensbury Pool, and urged that the pool be kept open.

In response, the Assistant Director Sport and Leisure stated that he acknowledged the depth of feeling and the representations that had been received to date,  however Queensbury Pool was an old pool, with huge backlog maintenance costs.  That although all pupils will be offered alternative pools to swim at, he accepted that there will be transport issues that will need looking at.  He added that in building a new facility at Sedburgh, the Council will need to borrow money, however this capital investment would be recouped as the new facility would require less maintenance and would be used by more people, generating more income and ultimately placing less pressure on the revenue budget.

The Leader thanked the lead petitioner and other representatives for making their points, stating that the Council was receiving less money from Central Government and this meant that a number of services would no longer be provided or had to be reconfigured so they offered better value for money.

The Environment, Sport and Culture Portfolio Holder stated that in supporting communities, the Council found itself in a difficult financial situation and having to make decisions that affected services, however the proposals offered the most viable solution, as Queensbury Pool had high running costs.  She added that she was happy to work with schools to ensure that the transition was smooth and confirmed that Queensbury Pool will only close when the new facility is open, and that the Service would  also liaise  with schools on how best to transport children to the new facility, and it was therefore:

Resolved –

That Option 1 be approved:

Confirm the intention that when the new pool at Sedbergh opens,

Queensbury Pool will be offered for community management and if no

solution can be found the pool will close.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Economy