Lead Member – Councillor Stuart West – Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture

Report of the Director of Commissioning TO FOLLOW

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

            RESOLVED:

i)             That Cabinet is minded to confirm and approve in principle that in the absence of alternative proposals developed to retain swimming provision on the existing site in recommendation (ii),  that the preferred location for the replacement of existing swimming provision (with new swimming provision) is the Shrewsbury Sports Village based upon the options appraisal evidenced within this report.

ii)            That Cabinet would welcome all parties who wish to do so, including the Shrewsbury BID, Quarry Swimming and Fitness Forum and Shrewsbury Town Council are to be given an opportunity for up to 12 months to develop alternative proposals to retain swimming provision on the existing site. Any alternatives will need to meet the Council’s key objectives referenced within the evaluation criteria described within this report, including for the pool to be affordable and to support participation in the future. 

iii)           That a further report is brought back to Cabinet on the proposed next steps and the detail including the timetable, process and terms of reference in relation to recommendation (ii).

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture presented a report by the Director of Commissioning – copy attached to the signed minutes – setting out proposals for improved swimming facilities for Shrewsbury.  Amendments were proposed to the recommendations by the Cabinet Member for Adults which he hoped would provide reassurance to any parties who wished to work up an alternative proposal to retain the Quarry Swimming Pool.  The amendments were to recommendation A, to include after the words in principle : ‘that in the absence of alternative proposals developed to retain swimming provision on the existing site in recommendation (ii)’  and to recommendation B so that it started with  ‘That Cabinet would welcome all parties who wish to do so’.  The Leader endorsed these amendments and added an amendment that Recommendation A start ‘That Cabinet is minded to’

A number of Members addressed the Cabinet in support of the retention of the location of the Quarry Swimming Pool or a deferral of the decision until case for the Quarry Pool was properly proven.  Assurances were requested that officers would fully co-operate with the group trying to find a solution.   

The Portfolio Holder Leisure and Culture said Cabinet understood the need to allow time for other options to be developed and supported the amendments to the recommendations.  Nothing would proceed until 12 months had expired and all data would be provided to all parties.

RESOLVED:

i)             That Cabinet is minded to confirm and approve in principle that in the absence of alternative proposals developed to retain swimming provision on the existing site in recommendation (ii),  that the preferred location for the replacement of existing swimming provision (with new swimming provision) is the Shrewsbury Sports Village based upon the options appraisal evidenced within this report.

ii)            That Cabinet would welcome all parties who wish to do so, including the Shrewsbury BID, Quarry Swimming and Fitness Forum and Shrewsbury Town Council are to be given an opportunity for up to 12 months to develop alternative proposals to retain swimming provision on the existing site. Any alternatives will need to meet the Council’s key objectives referenced within the evaluation criteria described within this report, including for the pool to be affordable and to support participation in the future. 

iii)           That a further report is brought back to Cabinet on the proposed next steps and the detail including the timetable, process and terms of reference in relation to recommendation (ii).