To approve a new capital budget for the re-opening of the Hereford leisure pool.

Council considered a report by the Cabinet Member Commissioning, Procurement and Assets which recommended the addition of a new capital budget to undertake reinstatement works to the Hereford leisure pool. The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member Commissioning, Procurement and Assets who moved the recommendation. She explained that the pool was an important facility to support health and wellbeing and its social value necessitated its prompt reopening. The location of the pool, on an area which was susceptible to flooding, would be reviewed in the core strategy and leisure strategy however whilst this review took place it was important that the pool was reopened as a facility for all Herefordshire residents.

The following principal points were raised during the debate:

·         The pool was not just a leisure pool but was also used by competitive athletes who relied on the facility for training.

·         It was recognised that it was essential that the pool reopened to ensure children could be taught to swim to protect against the risk of drowning in local rivers.

·         The investment to reopen the pool was supported but it was noted that provision for similar facilities in Bromyard and Ross-on-Wye had not been forthcoming. There needed to be equitable investment across the county.

·         Members had been approached by local residents calling for the prompt reopening of the pool.

·         The reopening of the pool was supported whilst work was undertaken to investigate an alternative location for the facility.

·         The health and wellbeing benefits of the facility were highlighted.

·         There was concern that the works required had not been covered by insurance due to outstanding remedial works. It was hoped that lessons would be learned and that council assets would be reviewed to ensure they were insured.

The Cabinet Member Commissioning, Procurement and Assets explained that the inspection of assets would now be a proactive approach with full condition surveys undertaken. This would have implications to the budget to be determined in February 2021. The leisure strategy represented a Herefordshire approach to facilities throughout the county and would respond to the issues in the market towns raised during the debate.

The Cabinet Member Finance and Corporate Services seconded the recommendation and explained that there were lessons to be learned including the proper funding of asset maintenance and insurance cover. The lack of cover at the leisure pool was the consequence of historic budget cuts to maintenance and insurance budgets. There was also learning around where strategic assets were located to ensure they were fit for purpose in the long-term.

The recommendation in the report was put to the recorded vote and was carried by a simple majority of Council.

FOR (48): Councillors: Graham Andrews; Paul Andrews; Polly Andrews; Jenny Bartlett; Chris Bartrum; Christy Bolderson; Dave Boulter; Sebastian Bowen; Tracy Bowes; Ellie Chowns; Pauline Crockett; Gemma Davies; Toni Fagan; Elizabeth Foxton; Carole Gandy; Kema Guthrie; John Hardwick; John Harrington; Liz Harvey; Jennie Hewitt; Kath Hey; David Hitchiner; Phillip Howells; Helen I’Anson; Terry James; Peter Jinman; Tony Johnson; Graham Jones; Mike Jones; Jim Kenyon; Jonathan Lester; Trish Marsh; Mark Millmore; Jeremy Milln; Felicity Norman; Roger Phillips; Tim Price; Paul Rone; Nigel Shaw; Louis Stark; John Stone; David Summers; Elissa Swinglehurst; Paul Symonds; Kevin Tillett; Diana Toynbee; Yolande Watson; and William Wilding. 

AGAINST (0)

ABSTAIN (2): Councillors: Alan Seldon and Ange Tyler (both members voted to abstain due to loss of connection with the meeting during the debate)

RESOLVED: That the addition of a new capital budget to fund un-insured regulatory and essential works required at the Hereford leisure pool is approved. To be funded by existing budgets wherever possible and, failing that, new prudential borrowing not expected to exceed £505k.