Published: December 5, 2007
Burnham-On-Sea swimming pool 'could permanently close by April 2008'

Burnham-On-Sea's swimming pool could be set to permanently close next year under controversial proposals unveiled by the cash-strapped district council on Wednesday (December 5th).

Sedgemoor District Council's Executive Committee announced on Wednesday it may permanently shut the Berrow Road pool by April 2008 because it is losing £250,000 a year running the facility.

Council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The proposal is to place the site on the open market for sale with all capital receipts being generated from the sale being ring fenced and placed in a common good fund for expenditure solely for the betterment of the residents of Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge."

"This may include the provision of alternative swimming facilities, including setting up a working group to actively identify a suitable provider of swimming pool provision by 31st March 2008."

It comes after we recently reported how the council has a £1.8m funding shortfall and is having to lay off up to 50 staff and cut back other services across the district to make ends meet.

The proposed closure of the 34-year-old swimming pool has been met with dismay and anger from users and local councillors, who argue the facility is "vital" to the town.

Burnham's Deputy Mayor, Cllr Neville Jones, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "This is devastating news - many people will be very sorry to see these plans."

"However, I will be forming a small group of councillors to look at alternative funding proposals to keep a pool in Burnham. There are many alternatives and we will look at every one."

"In the short term, I hope that Burnham Holiday Village or Pontins will be able to provide their swimming facilities so that children can properly learn to swim. We're a town by the sea with many rivers, so it's essential that safety must not be compromised."

"I don't believe this is the end of Burnham swimming pool. With the support of all parties, swimming must continue."

Doug Bamsey of Sedgemoor District Council this week blamed pressures from central government for the current funding crisis.

"It's a serious situation," he told Burnham-On-Sea.com. "We've got here because we're being ask to fund travel concessions across the district of £1 million, plus the increased burden of recycling targets and salary levelling for all staff across local government."

Cllr Jones (pictured) added: "It's ridiculous that Sedgemoor is having to spend £1 million on free bus travel for OAPs, but won't be able to afford for children to learn to swim."

The news was also attacked by Burnham's MP David Heathcoat-Amory, who said: "I regret any loss of local facilities such as a swimming pool, but I hope alternative arrangements will be made. Also the job losses are regrettable and I hope that those affected will be helped to find other work or retrained."

He added: "Sedgemoor District Council faces an unfairly small increase in funding for 2008, together with additional expenditure obligations, including, free bus passes and recycling imposed on them by Central Government, for which they are not compensated. I will be raising this in the House of Commons to get fairer treatment for Somerset Local Government."

Burnham pool was built in 1974, making 2008 its 34th year of operation, and the District Council says the accepted life-span for this type of pool is usually 25 years.

Each year, Sedgemoor District Council subsidises the running costs to the tune of £250,000, which means that council tax is subsidising each swim to the sum of £3.36.

A condition survey was carried out in November 2007 and it is estimated that an additional £2m will need to be spent over the next three years to maintain it at a safe level.

Sedgemoor District Council will be setting up a ‘task and finish’ group to report back by 28th February 2008 to seek alternative private sector parties to take over the responsibility and liability of running the pool.

If that cannot be found, then the announced closure will go ahead and the district council will look at alternative provision for users i.e. swimming clubs and regular local users.