Following discussions with community campaigners, Green Party councillors on Exeter City Council have challenged the Labour administration to work with the community to find ways to protect the Northbrook Swimming Pool from closure.
The closure of the pool was included in Labour’s February budget [1]. The Progressive Group – made up of both Green and Liberal Democrat councillors – proposed an amendment in their Alternative Budget proposals to “undertake a leisure services review to protect leisure services from closure [2].”
In particular, Greens have highlighted the impacts of the decision to close the pool on school children. Five schools currently use the pool for swimming lessons and in 2016 Labour pledged free lessons for children in Exeter [3].
Green Councillor for Heavitree ward, Cllr Carol Bennett, said:
“Labour finds itself in deep water over its announcement to close Northbrook pool. They didn’t say what they were proposing in advance of the budget meeting where the closure was announced, and certainly didn’t seem to think about the consequences for the community.
“Northbrook is especially suited to schools and children with Special Educational Needs. Labour have not been able to offer swimming teachers or timetable space at St Sidwells Point. In 2016 Exeter Labour committed to free swimming lessons for children, now they are planning to close a pool where lots of local children learn to swim.”
A petition signed by more than 2,200 residents has triggered a Full Council debate on 10th June, ahead of the final decision expected at Executive on 24th June.
Green councillor for Newtown and St Leonard’s, Lynn Wetenhall, said:
“We’ve been listening to the community to hear about the impacts of closing Northbrook pool. It’s an ill thought-through decision. Labour have presented partial and inaccurate operational and financial information to the community and councillors. [4] Nor has there been any serious attempt to look at other options for how the pool might be run.
“Hearing what residents have to say, it is clear there are plenty of improvements that could make this community resource more financially viable and these need to be considered before making any decision on closure .”
Green councillors will be raising questions about the planned closure of Northbrook pool at the City Council Scrutiny Committee on Thursday.