To consider the recommendations made by the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee in relation to the call in of the Key Decision on swimming provision for primary schools in and around Hereford City and the future of the LEA swimming pool.

THAT

(i)                 the LEA swimming pool not be reopened;

(ii)               alternative provision from September 2008 be offered at Hereford Leisure Pool and that this provision by HALO be monitored to ensure that the needs of schools and other users continue to be met;

(iii)             close collaboration and partnership working be undertaken between the Council and HALO with schools, clubs and other users of the LEA pool to ensure that a viable and efficient service is provided;

(iv)             the local community to submit a feasibility/business case to cover several years on the viability of the use of the LEA pool; and

(v)               a report be brought back to Cabinet by Easter 2009 at the latest outlining the outcome of the process.

Following the call-in of the decision made by Cabinet at its meeting on 31 July 2008 the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee made the following recommendations that:

a)         the Council invests £72,500 to enable the pool to reopen as soon as possible;

b)         there should be no additional costs to schools;

c)         the existing charge to schools be maintained; and

d)         a thorough feasibility/business case for the next 2 years (to include LEA pool,  HALO and users/voluntary sector) be formulated on the future of the pool in the context of the whole of Herefordshire swimming provision

Cabinet could choose to adopt some of the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations, or not to adopt any of them.