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Agenda item

Westbury Pool and the Wiltshire Council Leisure Review 2010/11

To receive a report and update.

Minutes:

Councillor Hawker introduced this item and explained that the full leisure review would be carried out by Wiltshire Council; not by the Area Board. He stated that this report was intended to brief the Area Board members and members of the public on the issues.

 

Sally Hendry outlined the content of the report which included the background to the pool and its history, statistics relating to the usage of the pool and costs, an analysis of the strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats, and a recommendation to note the report and decide how to take the issue forward.

 

Councillor Stuart Wheeler, Cabinet member for Leisure, Sport and Culture, referred to the meeting held on 8 April which was attended by 150-200 people. This had left little doubt about the level of local support for Westbury pool. Councillor Wheeler also stated that the report on the pool was an accurate reflection and that he would be particularly taking into account the ‘Westbury specific’ points that the report raised.

 

The following points were raised in the discussion that followed:

 

·         The report stated that it cost £65,000 per annum to run the pool, and last year there were 62,000 swimmers. At an average of £3 per swim, this should cover costs and more.

·         Clarification was sought on the management fee apportionment and what this meant.

·         It was enquired what the criteria would be that Wiltshire Council would use when judging whether to keep the pool open, and also how the criteria would be weighted.

 

In response to the above points, Councillor Wheeler stated that the review was not driven by financial factors but explained that it did cost £5million per annum to run the leisure facilities across Wiltshire. There was a need to review the facilities currently in place and check that they would be fit for purpose for the next 15 years. It was also important that facilities were in the right place and offered the right opportunities for their local communities. Councillor Wheeler also explained that the report had covered all of the criteria that would be applied during the review process.

 

·         Councillor Hawker sought clarification on the management fee figures and asked whether they were the net costs. Councillor Wheeler explained that the figures were the net costs that Wiltshire Council had to pay DC Leisure after all other income had been received.

·         Councillor Hawker also enquired whether there was any contingency in the budget, to which Councillor Wheeler stated that there was no contingency and that £5million was the total running cost.

·         Councillor Hawker asked whether the survey of Westbury pool had been complete. Robin Townsend, Head of Leisure, stated that the initial findings were available but had not been assessed yet. The full review would need to be complete before all of the figures and findings would be made available.

·         One member of the public enquired about Community Hubs/Trusts and asked whether more information would be made available on the rationale and benefits. Councillor Wheeler confirmed that more information would be available, and stated that Downton, Cricklade and Calne leisure facilities were all running successfully in this way.

·         Concern was raised regarding the carbon footprint if the pool was closed, as people would need to travel to other towns. Councillor Wheeler stated that this factor would be considered as part of the review.

·         One local resident made reference to Westbury’s two leisure facilities; the pool and the sports centre, and enquired whether there was scope in the review to create single-site facilities. Councillor Wheeler responded by confirming that this was a very real option and that the review was a genuine review; nothing was ruled out at this stage.

·         Councillor Cuthbert-Murray asked what the conditions survey had shown. Councillor Wheeler explained that the results had only just been received and needed to be reviewed. The results were due to be published as part of the review.

·         Councillor Jenkins congratulated Sally on the detail within the report and asked how the value of the pool to the local community would be weighted. Councillor Wheeler commented that the strength of support for the pool was undoubted and that this would certainly be taken into consideration.

 

Councillor Hawker thanked Councillor Wheeler for attending and Sally for the excellent report. The members noted the report and would observe the publication of the review.

 

 

Supporting documents: