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Deal thrashed out to save pool
KIRKHAM'S threatened swimming pool looks set to be saved after last-ditch talks.
Swimming prices will go up and non-emergency repairs will be reduced if a deal thrashed out by councillors from the ruling Conservative group and council officers is agreed.
Councillors' expenses will be cut by 10 per cent and mileage for councillors stopped for a year in a bid to save 118,000 under the plan drawn up at a meeting at St Annes town hall last night.
But the agreement would only be in place for one year - allowing more time to seek alternative funding.
The deal would see:
- 15,000 raised by increasing the price of an adult swim from 2.40 to 3.60.
- 30,000 saved by reducing non-emergency repairs.
- 25,000 collected by slashing members allowances by 10 per cent for one year.
- 28,000 reduction in the Lytham and St Annes sea wall repair budget,.
- 15,000 saved in agreed minor reductions.
- 5,000 raised by stopping councillors' mileage claims for one year.
Once the package is in place for this year it is hoped to start initiatives to increase the use of the pool. Discussions on replacing the aging facility with a new pool are also being planned.
Coun Simon Renwick, portfolio holder for culture and tourism, who organised last night's meeting, said: "This package is a one year hit.
"The important factor is to get council agreement to keep the baths open for one more year while we are pursuing longer term solutions."
The council's cabinet passed a proposal to close pools in St Annes and Kirkham to plug the council's 1m plus budget deficit last Friday.
Leading councillors say the drastic cuts have been forced on the authority by 600,000 cuts in Government funding combined with an expected 300,000 bill for free bus travel for the over 60s.
The latest deal will be presented to the full council on Monday, March 3.
Swimming coach Nick White said: "Hopefully this will get resolved.
"I think it is a bit alarming that we have got the 2012 Olympics coming to this country and yet sporting facilities are threatened."
The package was put together just 24 hours after opposition Independent councillors claimed they could save enough cash to keep both Kirkham and St Annes pools open.
There is no plan to save the more expensive St Annes swimming pool.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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