The dates of a series of a public meetings where local people can quiz councillors about their progress in finding a new owner for Burnham’s threatened swimming pool were announced on Thursday (January 24th).
Councillor Ann Bown (Portfolio holder of Leisure, Culture and Sport) and Teresa Harvey (Group Manager of Leisure and Marketing) will be holding the meetings for residents to attend and get progress reports on the negotiations of any potential takeover of Burnham Pool or, if these are not successful, organisation of alternative swimming provision for Burnham Pool Users within the Burnham and Highbridge catchment area.
The dates of these meetings have been scheduled as follows: 7th February, 6th March, 3rd April, 8th May and 22nd May. These meetings will be held from 6-7pm in Burnham Community Centre, Berrow Road.
Last week, Sedgemoor District Council agreed to defer the closure of the pool at Burnham-On-Sea from March 31st until May 31st. However, Sedgemoor District Council must be satisfied that any third party must be able to operate the pool safely, legally and at no cost to the ratepayers of Sedgemoor.
A district council spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “A task and finish group was set up last year and is looking at all potential ways of keeping the pool open, including private sector and leisure trusts.”
“The group recommended to the council on 16th January that, firstly, the Council will maintain the pool until 31st May 2008 to allow the completion of negotiations with either the private sector leisure management operators, local trusts or local ventures.”
“Secondly, if those are not successful, organise alternative swimming provision for Burnham Pool Users within the Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge catchment area; and, thirdly, that if no alternative operator is found to run the pool, the pool should close on 31st May 2008.”
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