That:

a)    The swimming pool at Peterchurch Primary School is retained in principle as part of the new school site; and

b)    Responsibility for the renovation, upgrade, and long-term operation of the swimming pool rests with the school, where the upgrade shall be funded by secured Section 106 contributions and, where appropriate, any uncommitted budget within the approved Peterchurch Primary School rebuild project; and

c)    The Service Director for Education, Skills and Learning, oversees the integration of the retained pool within the site plan, ensuring that no additional capital pressure is created for the council.

1.             Do nothing - Not viable. Cabinet (27 October 2022) required Peterchurch Primary School and the Parish Council to bring forward a viable business case for retaining the pool within 12 months, otherwise the pool would be demolished within the approved project budget.

2.             Demolish the pool - Demolition of the pool would cost £20,000 and would remove a long-standing local facility highly valued by the community. The school would incur significant ongoing costs (approx. £10,560 per year – from the school business case) for transport, pool hire and instructors to access alternative provision 11 miles away. This option has negative curriculum, financial and wellbeing implications for a rural community where practical alternatives are limited.

3.             Construct a new pool – This option was previously explored and rejected. Cabinet concluded that a new-build pool would provide year-round capacity but would be unaffordable and generate higher operating costs, making it poor value for money in the context of the school rebuild budget.