Issue - meetings

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

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 2 September 2008 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Leisure and Museums was submitted, proposing the best way of providing swimming facilities in the future, following an options appraisal comparing the provision of a new pool to replace Pyramids with refurbishing Pyramids and considering further the procurement methods for the chosen option.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 2 September 2008. Executive noted the debate on the issue at that meeting and the request of the Committee for Executive to:-

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

(ii)     close the Pyramids Swimming Centre;

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

(iv)    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 Scrutiny Committee – Community, officers and users for further consideration to be given to the location and funding of a new swimming pool.    

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Leisure reported that he had met with swimming clubs’ representatives and other pool users, all of whom wanted a new pool.  He acknowledged that, whilst everyone would prefer a new swimming pool, the current financial position of the Council made this unaffordable at the present time. He hoped that discussions would continue with users and all options would be explored to make this achievable in the future. He would not wish for the Pyramids Centre to be closed down in the meantime as the Scrutiny Committee – Community resolution implied.

Some members felt that the £2 million cost of refurbishment of the existing pool would be better spent as a contribution to building a new pool. They expressed concerns that the true cost and problems of refurbishment would not be known until work commenced and this could result in much greater expenditure and long periods of closure for the pool. They referred to the previous refurbishment of the pool in the 1990s where this had occurred.   They felt that a refurbished pool would never be up to the standards that the city of Exeter should expect.

Another member reminded Executive that Council had previously confirmed its intention to build a new pool.  A feasibility study had been undertaken and the Clifton Hill site had been the only suitable option identified in the City Centre.  The Chair responded that the Council had never identified how it would finance a new pool. The financial climate had changed significantly since the last decision had been made and the cost of borrowing had increased.   In order to fund the additional £90,000 revenue cost for every £1 million of capital cost, an equivalent sum would need to be met through revenue savings. He felt that this would be hard to achieve since the efficiency with which services were already run would not allow for savings without cutting existing service provision or standards. He invited members to identify any potential savings.

Councillor Edwards proposed a Motion in the following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56