To consider the alternatives for making provision for school swimming in Hereford City and inform the Cabinet Member of the preferred option.

A prejudicial interest was declared by Mr RI Stevenson and he left the room.  Personal interests were declared by Mr S Pugh and Councillors: WU Attfield; ACR Chappell; SJ Robertson; JD Woodward.

The Committee considered the alternatives for making provision for school swimming in Hereford City and informed the Cabinet Member (Children’s Services) of their preferred option.

The Chairman welcomed the following who had been invited to attend: Mr J Argent, Chief Executive, Halo Leisure; Mr J Moynihan, Mr A Thomas and Miss A Taylor representing Headteachers of schools using the St Martin’s (LEA) Pool and Mrs W Lewis, Swimming Instructor, LEA Pool.

The Head of Commissioning & Improvement – Schools Services, reported upon the history of the St. Martin’s (LEA) swimming pool, the background to its closure and the temporary arrangements made for schools to use the Hereford Leisure Pool operated by Halo Leisure.  He also outlined the capital and revenue implications of repairing and continued provision of the St Martin’s facility, as set out in the agenda report and appendix 2.

Invited by the Chairman to comment on the use of the Leisure Pool, Mr Argent responded that due to the short notice there had been a number of initial operational issues but these had been overcome.  In relation to the problems highlighted by schools, listed at paragraph 7 in the report, he reported that these were not insurmountable and could be reduced or eliminated.  Halo had been happy to accommodate the 38 schools for swimming lessons at the Leisure Pool and welcomed the discussions with school Heads concerning its continued use.

Responding to the invitation by the Chairman to comment on the use of the Leisure Pool, Miss Taylor highlighted concerns that the Leisure Pool had not been designed to accommodate the teaching, changing, security and safety of large numbers of pupils (approximately 50) in one session.  She also highlighted the inconvenience to the public by having large areas restricted for teaching use.

Mr Moynihan concurred with the comments made by Miss Taylor and reemphasised the importance of safety and supervision set out in paragraph 11 in the agenda report.

Mrs Lewis commented that the LEA Pool had received good Ofsted reports and achieved a high degree of success in its curricular teaching.  She further commented that, out of hours, the pool was used by the Hereford Swimming Club and the Blind College, both of which contributed to income generation.

Invited by the Chairman to comment, Councillor ACR Chappell, a Ward Member for St. Martins & Hinton, responded by: outlining the complaints he had received concerning various aspects of using the Leisure Pool; reporting on the use of the LEA pool by swimming clubs; commenting on the potential use by a local Health Centre and questioning how the loss of the facility would effect the Extended Schools Programme.  He highlighted the need for the Council’s Executive to explore alternative avenues of financing the facility once the repairs had been undertaken.  He also commented on the possible use of Section 106 Agreement funding (developer contribution to community infrastructure).

During the course of discussion the following principle points were noted:

• The Director of Children’s Service clarified that the recent Section 106 funding had not been specifically allocated to swimming but towards education or Children’s Services capital projects.  Its use towards the pool would detract from spending on other projects.
• While the Leisure Pool could provide ‘Aquamark’ and ASA levels of swimming teaching questions were raised whether they matched the specific curriculum teaching levels.
• While Halo were thanked for accommodating the temporary teaching programme and praised for the facilities at the Leisure Pool, a number of comments were made that the specialist teaching at the LEA Pool should continue where the safety and security of the child could be closely monitored.
• Following the closure of the Sydonia Pool, Leominster, a study was undertaken into the total swimming provision in the County.  Following the building of the Leominster pool the County as a whole now had a small surplus of swimming provision.
• Questioned further on the revenue costs it was noted that there was a net deficit in the region of £50,000 per annum.  This assumed schools continued at the current level of contribution at £66.00 per hour in common with other schools using other pool facilities around the County.  In light of the Local Management of Schools (LMS) funding regulations the retention of a central budget, already at the maximum of £80,000 for a facility benefiting certain schools could not be increased.  If a Service Level Agreement (SLA) were introduced for schools using the facility then to break-even a charging level of approximately £138.00 per hour would need to be introduced, which schools may not be willing or able to afford.  To ensure some level of financial planning it was considered that SLAs covering at least 3 years be entered into.
• Providing further clarification concerning the reduced income over the recent years it was noted that schools had been reducing the number of visits and this had effected income levels.
• It was acknowledged that water leaks from the skimmer channels had contributed to the increased cost of water.

Having debated the issue a general consensus appeared that in view of the value to the local school population the facility should continue. The Cabinet Member should consider undertaking the works set out at paragraph 16 to the value of £72,500.00 to re-open the pool provided that sufficient schools commit themselves to a 3 year period of charge which would cover the net costs.  The Committee also considered that a review of the financing of the pool was needed to ensure that it could operate within budget into the longer term.

The Chairman thanked the invited guests for attending and contributing to the debate.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member (Children’s Services) be recommended to consider:

a)      That works within the budget of £72,500 to reopen the St Martin’s Pool be undertaken, once sufficient schools had committed themselves for a 3 year period at a level of charge which would cover the net costs; and

b)     A wider review of the financing of the pool be undertaken to ensure that it could operate within budget.