Lib Dems back moves to keep Waterside Pool open in coming year

An amendment was put forward by four members of the Council, including Lib Dems David Knowles and Reg Barry, representing the Ryde area and adjacent wards proposing that the Waterside Pool remains open during 2011-12. As the amendment sets out this was "in response to the strong feelings that have been expressed at the planned closure of this popular facility".

The full text of the amendment is:

Proposed amendment to item 5 in respect of the Waterside Pool

1. This amendment is put forward by four members of the Council representing the Ryde area and adjacent wards. It is a response to the strong feelings that have been expressed at the planned closure of this popular facility, including a petition of signed by over 7,000 residents.

2. We are concerned about the damaging impact that the closure would have in the loss of an important sporting, teaching and recreational amenity, but we also recognise the importance of the Centre for health, tourism and community and social contact reasons, especially having regard to the above average age of the Waterside customer base.

3. The Waterside Management Team have put forward costed proposals that would deliver savings of £100,000 in 2011-12, without major detriment to the service provided, largely through more effective and productive use of staff and a more business driven approach to the programme provided. To do this would entail reducing the gross operating cost by 23%. If the other centres could achieve a fraction of this, with gross operating costs reduced by approximately 8%, then the entire £250,000 savings requirement could be achieved without closing any centre. Each centre's share under this arrangement is shown below:

A risk assessment of potential business critical maintenance items has been undertaken, and a request has been made to Ryde Town Council for a guarantee of up to £20,000 in that respect.

4. It seems to all of us that it would be preferable to have all three centres open and operating at a higher level of efficiency, than to deprive a major population centre of its only facility. We are also conscious that each of the other two centres will be closed next year for refurbishment, which in the absence of Waterside would leave the bulk of the Island's population served by only one centre for a considerable period of time.

5. The Waterside Management Team proposals form stage 1 of the Waterside Action Group (WAG) bid to provide a longer term future for the Waterside. WAG is now the Council's preferred bidder. Keeping the facility open while the longer term developments envisaged by WAG are put in place is desirable in its own right, but it will also have the benefit of preserving the customer base during this interim period.

6. RECOMMENDATION:

That the Waterside Pool remains open during 2011-12, and that the Council's budget for 2011-12 be amended as shown in paragraph 3 above in order to deliver the £250,000 saving requirement for this service area.