Agenda item

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

Councillors Edwards and Winterbottom attended the meeting and spoke on this item having given notice under Standing Order No. 44.

In accordance with Standing Order No. 19, a question in respect of the funding of a new swimming pool had been submitted. The Chair read the question out and replied. A copy of the question had been circulated to Members and was made available at the meeting. The question and the reply from the Chair (in italics) is appended to the minutes.

A Member expressed her concern in respect of the recent press reports relating to the costs associated with the proposal to provide a new pool and other projects. It was noted that these had not been the result of the normal circulation of papers for the meeting of this Committee.

The Head of Leisure and Museums presented the report highlighting serious financial issues affecting the previous decision to build a new pool and recommending a refurbishment of the Pyramids instead. This followed an options appraisal comparing the provision of a new pool with refurbishment. The report also considered further the procurement methods for the chosen option.

Councillor Edwards stated that the Council had resolved earlier in the year to proceed with the construction of a new pool and that Members had been assured that the scheme could be funded. He was surprised that, only a few months later, a decision had been made that there was currently insufficient finance for the project. He did not feel that financial circumstances could change so quickly in a matter of months to make the project unviable. He opposed the proposed refurbishment of the existing pool on the grounds that setting a budget of £2 million for refurbishment which would also include a contingency element was inappropriate as it was quite possible that further additional works would be likely after initial refurbishment. He stated that the facility had been refurbished twice in recent memory, both of which had necessitated the closure of the pool to public use. He believed that works to the existing pool would prove to be a ‘bottomless pit’ absorbing additional funding over the years.

He urged all political groups to meet to seek a solution to funding a new pool and examine alternative means of raising funds, including the utilisation of a Government fund. He believed that it would be a great shame if a new pool could not be provided, particularly given the renewed interest in swimming following the success of British swimmers at the Beijing Olympics and in the run up to the London Olympics in 2012.

Councillor Winterbottom also opposed the proposal to abandon the construction of a new pool. He stated that the Pyramids was nearly 70 years old and therefore not fit for purpose as a modern facility. Increasing its period of use by potentially 20 years was unacceptable and he wondered if any future Lord Mayor of Exeter would one day attend a centenary celebration of the facility. He referred to recent success at the Olympics and to the building of a 50 metre swimming pool at Plymouth at a cost in the region of £44 million. He stated that the facilities at the Pyramids were basic, the changing rooms in particular being poor in quality and were often cold in winter. He urged the Committee to request the Executive not to refurbish the Pyramids but to proceed with the original decision to provide a new pool.

In response to a Member, the Director Community and Environment advised that the Council’s Asset Management Group actively managed all of the Council’s assets and income generated from these was already included within the Council’s overall budget.

A Member referred to the great demand for a new pool and felt that after the proposed £2 million had been utilised on the refurbishment programme it was likely that further problems would come to light. He suggested investigating a partnership approach on the same lines as the Science Park, that is, with the University and Devon County Council. The Head of Leisure and Museums advised of previous discussions with the University, who had expressed their preference for a pool on the campus. He was not aware of any other funders. In response to a Member, he confirmed that the proposed refurbishment works were largely to meet health and safety requirements but that the works would not completely satisfy disability legislation. Advice had been received that the roof did not require as much work as originally anticipated.

Another Member was surprised that the situation in respect of the pool funding had changed and suggested an approach to the South West Regional Development Agency or major companies with a view to obtaining financial backing and sponsorship.

Another Member referred to minor problems of noise reported by the neighbours of the Pyramids that had been resolved by Pyramids staff. He stated that although a small number of residents had expressed concerns regarding parking at Clifton Hill, the majority of Newtown residents had responded enthusiastically to the plans for a new pool. He felt that a further report on valuations associated with the proposed scheme was necessary and that Ben Bradshaw MP should be lobbied with a view to identifying potential funds to help with the cost of a new pool. He also suggested virement from other Council budgets to help funding. He referred to the clubs who used the Pyramids and stated that some 500 people used the facilities on a daily basis. He believed that all would benefit from a move from the outdated facilities. He circulated copies of news cuttings from the 1930’s as well as statistics comparing the cost of construction in that era with current prices. He also compared pool provision in towns similar in size to Exeter.

Other Members pointed out that, although a new pool would be of great benefit to the City, the costs were currently prohibitive. One Member hoped that the financial position could change in two to three years time when the potential for building a new pool could be revisited. Another Member recognised the validity of the suggestion of approaching potential funders such as the RDA or private sponsors as a potential option in three to five years time. She supported refurbishment as the way forward for the present but also supported investigations into ways of attracting funding for the future.

Scrutiny Committee - Community did not support the report and requested Executive to:-

(1)        rescind the decision to build a new swimming pool at Clifton Hill;

(2)        close the Pyramids Swimming Centre;         

(3)        re-affirm the decision to build a new swimming pool; and

(4)        arrange for a meeting to be held between the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Leisure, the four group leaders, the Chair and Deputy Chair of this Committee, officers and users for further consideration to be given to the location and funding of a new swimming pool.

(Report circulated)