Cabinet decision not to re-open LEA pool under scrutiny

The decision not to re-open the local education swimming pool at St Martins, Hereford, and instead provide lessons for youngsters at Hereford Leisure Pool is to come under the spotlight.

The decision, made by Herefordshire Council’s cabinet when it met on Thursday, July 31, has been “called in” – a procedure which means it will now be scrutinised by councillors who will assess the robustness of the decision.

For this to happen, a minimum of three councillors, from different political groups, have to make a formal request.

The three councillors are Cllrs Bill Walling, Ursula Attfield and Julie Woodward.

The reasons given for the call-in include:

• Clarity required on financial figures
• A lack of an in-depth risk assessment on the advantages and disadvantages of closing the LEA pool and its effect on the leisure pool
• Clarity over which procedures are to be put in place to ensure children are separated from the general public in the pools and changing rooms when they use the Halo pool?
• Why has the LEA pool been allowed to deteriorate?

The call-in will be considered by members of the council’s Children’s services scrutiny committee – chaired by Cllr Sally Robertson.

Once the date has been set for the scrutiny committee meeting it will be publicised.

The scrutiny committee will be able to make recommendations which will be considered by cabinet.