Portishead open air pool to close
Portishead's open air pool is likely to close for good this Sunday after council chiefs ruled it costs too much money to operate.
A special review panel, set up by the authority to scrutinise the running costs of the seafront attraction, says the level of subsidy the council pays to keep the pool open is no longer sustainable and it should close.
In the report by the panel it claims the authority has subsidised the running costs of the pool, which is operated by management company DC Leisure and opens from May-September, to the tune of £130,000.
The review panel is recommending that the subsidy would be better spent on more important council priorities, including new investment at Parish Wharf Leisure Centre in Portishead.
The pool closes for the 2008 summer season on September 28 and if the executive agree to the panel's recommendations when it meets on October 28, the attraction will remain shut for good.
The site would then be put up for sale, netting the authority an estimated £600,000.
News of the pool's impending closure has been described as a 'body blow' to the Friends of Portishead Open Air Pool Group which launched 12 months to campaign to keep it open.
Tonia Carless, who founded the group but resigned as chairman last month, said: "We are deeply saddened but not surprised at this decision.
"A lot of people put so much work into fighting to keep the pool open just for this decision to be made regardless.
"We fought long and hard to keep the pool open and this is a real body blow not only for Portishead, but for the wider community."
Mrs Carless said she was unsure what would now happen to the Friends group – which has more than 300 members - or what its next step would be.
Mrs Carless added: "I cannot say what the future of the group is or where we go from now.
"But I do worry what will now happen to this part of Portishead and what the site may be used for."
The review panel investigation revealed that the total number of users of the pool, up to September 14, was 7,738 and was not expected to exceed 8,000 by the end of the season.
During the five month review, the panel members visited the pool on several occasions and held a series of meetings with outside bodies including the Friends group to investigate the possibility of setting up an independent trust to take over the pool.
Feedback from the Friends group and other interviews collated indicated that such a route was not feasible, due to the lengthy set up costs and the probability that the pool would still require an ongoing subsidy to keep running.
North Somerset Council deputy leader, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, who chaired the review panel, said: "The panel has thoroughly examined all the options, but the fact is that the use of the pool is highly weather dependent and is simply too expensive to operate for the few numbers who use it.
"We discovered, for example, that a weekly visit by a regular swimmer could cost the council nearly £300 this year, even more if they held a season ticket and these costs are rising.
"We believe that money would be far better invested in more important council services to benefit a wider range of residents in Portishead and elsewhere."
The panel recommendation, which was unanimous, will now go to a joint scrutiny panel before being presented to the executive.
If approved, negotiations are likely to start with the contractor to upgrade Parish Wharf.
21 Comments
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by Oscar Blakton, From Above All
Thursday, October 02 2008, 10:44PM
“Whilst some friends might be dissolusioned , others believe that if a misscarriage of justice is in event that the situation will resolve itself in a right and proper manner, as officers of the council one hopes that evrything is in order that sound judgment and strict morals have been applied to this very careful consideration , it being so irreversible once done .”
by Annette Hennessy, Portishead
Sunday, September 28 2008, 8:22AM
“I have already discovered from reading the Review Report from North Somerset Council, flaws in the figures and arguments for closure. Therefore I will be putting in a robust challenge to this report which is a job that the scrutiny panel should be doing as well. A scrutiny review cannot be done adequately in the four weeks Cllr Ap Rees believes is possible. The reason for rushing this process is to agree a forthcoming budget . All councillors have a duty to ensure a scrutiny review is undertaken methodically and professionally but will they act I wonder? The public must ensure they do.”
by Shayne, Portishead
Saturday, September 27 2008, 1:58PM
“Forgive the typos, the new laptop is unforgiving, must donate it to the council when I next upgrade.”
by Shayne, Portishead
Saturday, September 27 2008, 1:56PM
“I must reiterate Annette Henneseys remarks about Portishead Town Councillors, who also sit on North Somerset Council, should hang their heads in shame.
Every one of the councillors who stood at the last election did so on the promise of representing local people and local people's opinions.”
by Mickey, Weston-super-Mare
Saturday, September 27 2008, 10:05AM
“Wonder if Mr Ap Rees' Helicoper Museum will ever get sold off to a developer in the same way as the Portishead Head Pool. I don't think so!”
by lorraine, south glous
Saturday, September 27 2008, 9:30AM
“they want to close it so it can be sold off to make money a housing developer is buying the land dont you know that its already been signed”
by Annette Hennessy, Portishead
Saturday, September 27 2008, 8:19AM
“I would urge everyone to listen again to the Dave Barrett phone-in from Friday morning, particularly the last 20 minutes. This gives a clear indication of the difficulties the Friends of Portishead Open Air Pool have experienced when communicating with the Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council. In an effort to silence our questions, underhand tactics are being used to discredit the Friends committee.
The main reason why two members resigned, including myself as spokesperson and later Tonia Carless as Chair, was that North Somerset Council was preventing us as a committee from releasing the truth to our members and to the public using the threat that it would damage the review process. A majority decision was taken to release information obtained at the council meeting on 22nd August, details that revealed the council's true intentions, which one person personally acquainted to the Deputy Leader did not agree with. We merely resigned from the committee, not as members of the Friends group.
I am incredulous that this council representative is able to release incorrect and unsubstantiated figures on a radio programme when evidence is available to the contrary. Anyone interested in this matter should read the review report but at the same time, read the report produced by the Friends group, the recommendations in which have been completely ignored.
Anyone who would like more information is welcome to contact me at annettehennessy@postmaster.co.uk.”
by Alex, Bristol
Saturday, September 27 2008, 12:11AM
“Amy, you have disproved your own point... Not entirely sure what you're saying. You mention one is public [funded] the other is private [funded]. In real terms, the public funded facility would come from council tax of the people, the private funded facility would balance it's investment via the means of the people. So overall, it is funded by the people..
£100,000 to keep Portishead pool open, Small change to a council where public facilities should be kept going.”
by Annette Hennessy, Portishead
Saturday, September 27 2008, 12:06AM
“I have today issued to the media a response to the press release by North Somerset Council expressing concern with the manner in which the review panel has investigated the open air pool's operation and management.
From the outset we expressed our fears that a hidden agenda was on the cards and the final sentence of the council's press release discloses what this is - "The open air pool site will be offered for suitable redevelopment". This explains why the council was reluctant and often unwilling to answer crucial questions, provide information, implement positive changes as recommended by the Friends of Portishead Open Air Pool to utitlise the facility to its full potential, thereby increasing income and most importantly, why some councillors used intimidation tactics to silence further questions and prevent information being released. A council that has ulterior plans for the budget and site would not want the pool to be a success. The truth was on the table from the beginning but few would listen, preferring to accept Cllr Ap Ree's assurance that closure was not being considered. Those town councillors who also represent the district council should hang their heads in shame.”
by Amy, Bristol
Friday, September 26 2008, 8:35PM
“Alex, I have to say I agree with Barnaby.
Your comparison is misjudged. However, Clifton Lido only opened very recently. Although Portishead is a different council. Both these local facilies are for locals of both Portishead and Bristol including all other surrounding areas.
It is a massive shame to lose something like this. In fact more than massive.
The reason I find your comparison misjudged is because CC is not the place for community bonding (everyone is too busy shopping!) where as something like Portishead pool brings people together, to stay healthy, to live a better life style!
As said already, one is public, one is private.”