Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Leisure and Museums.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 2 June 2009 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Leisure and Museums was submitted, seeking approval for the replacement of filters at Pyramids, which have reached the end of their useful life. The Director Community and Environment informed Executive of the urgent need to replace the filters in view of the imminent risk of their failure. She also referred to correspondence circulated to Councillors from the Chairman of Exeter City Swimming Club urging the Council to install an Ultra Violet light system at the Pyramids. She advised members that the Council’s specialist water consultant considered that the water quality at the pool continued to reach acceptable standards and it was therefore recommended not to install this equipment at the present time.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 2 June 2009 and the support of the Committee to the proposal and the comments of members were noted.

Councillor Branston attended this meeting and spoke on this item under Standing Order 44. He urged the Council to proceed with the development of a new pool at Clifton Hill, reminding members of the feasibility study that had previously been undertaken and the reasons why that location had been selected by the Council.  He considered that Exeter was under-provided with swimming pools in comparison with cities with similar populations and that the other pools in the city were already operating at capacity. In view of the health and safety concerns regarding water quality, he suggested that it would be appropriate for the replacement of the filters to be funded through the Asset Improvement and Maintenance (AIM) budget. He considered that further delays would increase the cost of a new pool and that development at Clifton Hill should now proceed, particularly in the light of the anticipated return of some of the money invested in Icelandic banks.

The Chair reminded Executive that, at the request of members, money refunded from the Icelandic banks had been earmarked to restore specific schemes, including improvements to play areas, to the capital programme.

The Portfolio Holder Environment and Leisure urged members to support the replacement of the filters in view of the serious consequences of their failure. He informed members that the Swimming Pool Working Group continued to investigate all options and emphasised that Councillor Branston’s involvement in the group would be welcomed.

Whilst supporting the urgent replacement of the filters, other members hoped that this would not be at the cost of progressing plans for a new pool.

Councillor Edwards reminded Executive of the consistent aspiration of his group to seek a new pool and the reasons for selecting Clifton Hill as the appropriate site. He moved an amendment to the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Mrs Morrish that plans be drawn up to build a new swimming pool at Clifton Hill. The amendment was put to the vote and lost.

The Portfolio Holder Business Transformation and Human Resources reminded members of the range of alternative swimming facilities available in the city. She considered that it would  ...  view the full decision text for item 65

The report of the Head of Leisure and Museums was submitted, seeking approval for the replacement of filters at Pyramids, which have reached the end of their useful life. The Director Community and Environment informed Executive of the urgent need to replace the filters in view of the imminent risk of their failure. She also referred to correspondence circulated to Councillors from the Chairman of Exeter City Swimming Club urging the Council to install an Ultra Violet light system at the Pyramids. She advised members that the Council’s specialist water consultant considered that the water quality at the pool continued to reach acceptable standards and it was therefore recommended not to install this equipment at the present time.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 2 June 2009 and the support of the Committee to the proposal and the comments of members were noted.

Councillor Branston attended this meeting and spoke on this item under Standing Order 44. He urged the Council to proceed with the development of a new pool at Clifton Hill, reminding members of the feasibility study that had previously been undertaken and the reasons why that location had been selected by the Council.  He considered that Exeter was under-provided with swimming pools in comparison with cities with similar populations and that the other pools in the city were already operating at capacity. In view of the health and safety concerns regarding water quality, he suggested that it would be appropriate for the replacement of the filters to be funded through the Asset Improvement and Maintenance (AIM) budget. He considered that further delays would increase the cost of a new pool and that development at Clifton Hill should now proceed, particularly in the light of the anticipated return of some of the money invested in Icelandic banks.

The Chair reminded Executive that, at the request of members, money refunded from the Icelandic banks had been earmarked to restore specific schemes, including improvements to play areas, to the capital programme.

The Portfolio Holder Environment and Leisure urged members to support the replacement of the filters in view of the serious consequences of their failure. He informed members that the Swimming Pool Working Group continued to investigate all options and emphasised that Councillor Branston’s involvement in the group would be welcomed.

Whilst supporting the urgent replacement of the filters, other members hoped that this would not be at the cost of progressing plans for a new pool.

Councillor Edwards reminded Executive of the consistent aspiration of his group to seek a new pool and the reasons for selecting Clifton Hill as the appropriate site. He moved an amendment to the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Mrs Morrish that plans be drawn up to build a new swimming pool at Clifton Hill. The amendment was put to the vote and lost.

The Portfolio Holder Business Transformation and Human Resources reminded members of the range of alternative swimming facilities available in the city. She considered that it would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65

To consider the report of the Head of Leisure and Museums – report circulated

The Head of Leisure and Museums presented the report seeking approval for the replacement of filters at Pyramids, which had reached the end of their useful life. He explained that had the option for building a new pool at Clifton Hill been pursued maintenance expenditure on the Pyramids would still have occurred.

A Member stated that it was inappropriate to utilise the budget originally earmarked for the design of a new pool on maintenance requirements for the Pyramids and expressed his fear that additional, as yet unidentified, expenditure would be necessary in respect of further repairs and maintenance.

The Head of Leisure and Museums reported that in the event of the filters failing the contractor would be entitled to compensation for losses incurred during the pool closure. The principal risk was a failure of the filters occurring before the installation of new vessels and it was anticipated that failure before the end of 2009 was likely. There was also a risk that once replacement started, the contractors could find other elements of the plant which needed replacing, leading to extra costs and additional closure time.  The risk of this, following the survey, was assessed as low. Because of the size of the plant room it would be possible to construct the new filters on site and installation would entail pool closure for only approximately two days, subject to no additional works being required. He explained that under the terms of the contract with DC Leisure, the Council was responsible for the plant and building with the contractor responsible for general fittings and operation. 

In response to questions from a Member, the Chair of the Swimming Pool Working Group advised that the working group had yet to form a view about the location of any pool and had no firm conclusions in respect of alternative sites, but that he personally was of the view that Clifton Hill was not the most suitable site noting that, amongst other issues, it was likely that it would be unable to meet demand for other leisure facilities following the closure of Pyramids. He was also of the view that because of the likely development to the north east of the City, traffic congestion in the City Centre and the need for a top class sporting facility, the Clifton Hill site was not a suitable location. He stated that, in respect of any alternative potential venue for a new facility, the Group had not addressed the issue of a feasibility study and how it would be funded. A Member expressed surprise that the Group had not considered utilising the AIM budget, the Chair of the Group responded that the members of the Group had flagged up the need for replacing the filters but that it was not within its role to deal with any issues relating to the maintenance of the Pyramids. The Head of Contracts and Direct Services explained the operation of the AIM budget.

Councillor Branston moved and Councillor Choules seconded the following amendment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38