The future of an Exeter swimming pool hangs in the balance today as councillors prepare to decide its fate.
Exeter City Council’s executive committee meets tonight (Tuesday) with the future of Northbrook Pool the main item on the agenda.
On Monday evening campaigners made a last-ditch effort to keep it open. Thousands of people have signed petitions and many have protested at council meetings.
Over the course of a three-hour scrutiny committee meeting at which theirs was the only issue on the agenda, they set out their case.
And they left with a glimmer of hope, as councillors decided to explore the possibility of community ownership, following a model of successful pools at Topsham and other Devon towns.
The council says it will cost millions to repair and maintain the 100-year-old Northbrook pool, and closing it will help it to meet a £3.5 million ‘black hole’ in its budget. But objectors dispute the council’s assertion that the pool is under-used. It is no longer being opened during the evening or at weekends.
They say it is a valuable community asset, and believe the closure is already a ‘done deal’.
Pool supporter Richard Illesley told last night’s scrutiny meeting the council had shown ‘a sheer lack of respect for those who use the pool’. And, he said, the council was making a ‘premature decision based on factual inaccuracies’.
The council does not own the pool, but has a 70-year lease on it from owners the Northbrook Trust.
Cllr Lucy Haigh (Ind, Heavitree) suggested handing the pool to a charitable community trust and said: “This is not about holding on to the past. It’s about shaping a better future.”
And Cllr Jane Begley (Lab, Priory) added: “What about an alternative way of running the pool – maybe a community pool like the one at Topsham?”
However, the council’s director of city development Ian Collinson pointed out that anyone taking on the lease would face a huge repair and maintenance bill. He said finding grants would also be difficult as Sport England had already turned down a request because Exeter has other swimming pools nearby.
Councillors eventually agreed a recommendation to tonight’s executive meeting, proposing discussions on community ownership with any interested parties. However, it was pointed out that the Northbrook Trust will only enter into those discussions once the council has decided to hand back the lease.
Appeal following aggravated burglary in Kennford near Exeter
Exmouth Installs Fourth Cigarette Ballot Bin to Tackle Litter and Plastic Pollution
CCTV link up ensures greater safety at Exeter Bus Station
Local research shows early patient feedback can predict asthma treatment success
Daily RNLI lifeguard service coming to Budleigh Salterton
Council Leader welcomes opening of top quality new Exeter rugby facilities
Mucky approval as East Devon mud kitchen wins planning appeal
Tribute paid to Exmouth man Denva Smith, who was killed following an alleged assault.
