Opening hours cut at Churchill swimming pool

Opening hours at Churchill swimming pool could be reduced in an attempt by council chiefs to cut costs.

The pool is in the Churchill Sports Centre complex in Churchill Community School's grounds and is used by students as well as by members of the community.

But plans have been revealed by North Somerset Council to slash the pool's opening hours.

Exact details of the proposed cuts to the hours have yet to be finalised and a decision is not expected until the end of October.

The pool receives an annual subsidy of £300,000 from North Somerset Council, but the authority wants to cut costs by £55,000.

The news has been greeted with horror by community leaders.

Churchill Parish Council chairman, Councillor Jackie Bush, said: "We have not officially been told which days the pool is going to be closed.

"I cannot see how closing the pool on certain days is going to save the authority any money because they will still have to heat it and put chlorine in it.

"The only cost savings I can see would be from a result of reduced staffing costs.

"The pool is a popular facility in the village and I think these proposals are a real blow to local residents."

An out-of-school swimming club is understood to run at the pool during the holidays and there are fears that its future could be affected by the changes.

Mrs Bush said: "The out of school club has proved to be very popular with young people in the village and if the pool is to close on certain days, questions have to be raised about whether this facility will be able to continue.

"The people in the village and the surrounding area are paying the same council tax charges as others in Weston-super-Mare, but it seems as if we are being penalised."

The parish council is due to discuss the issue at its next meeting and is planning to send a letter to North Somerset Council objecting to the proposals.

North Somerset Council spokesman, Nick Yates, said: "We are reviewing the arrangements at Churchill Sports Centre in order to make it more cost-effective and are consulting with staff and users.

"Consultation is still being carried out so no final decision on hours has been made yet."