Agenda item

Members discussed the amendment proposed by the earlier Scrutiny Committee, which suggested the following additional wording be added to the end of Recommendation 4:

‘....and to make a commitment, when resources allow, that a pool which serves the whole of the upper Swansea, Amman and Llynfell Valleys be built.’

Cabinet Members thanked the Scrutiny Committee for their input but chose not to adopt the amendment.

Decisions:

That having due regard to the integrated impact assessment:

1.           The current status of Pontardawe Swimming Pool, and the reasoning for action to be taken on the grounds of health and safety obligations on the part of the Council, be noted.

2.           A planned closure of the Pontardawe Swimming Pool by the end of August 2024, subject to any closure that is required in the shorter term to meet health and safety obligations, be approved.

3.           Delegated authority be granted to the Head of Leisure, Tourism, Heritage and Culture, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, to embark on a programme of engagement with service users and neighbouring authorities to explore avenues of supporting ongoing access to swimming facilities.

4.           Delegated authority be granted to the Head of Leisure, Tourism, Heritage and Culture in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, to commission a feasibility study to investigate options for a future site, and potential funding for a replacement facility.

5.           Delegated authority be granted to the Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, to undertake the demolition of the Pontardawe Swimming Pool.

6.           The projected savings arising from the closure of the facility, be utilised, over a two year period, to fund the recommendations included within this proposal.

Reason for Decisions:

To ensure compliance with health and safety obligations associated with the users and staff at Pontardawe Swimming Pool, to agree arrangements for the commissioning of a feasibility study for a replacement facility, and to seek approval for the demolition of Pontardawe Swimming Pool.

Implementation of Decisions:

The decisions will be implemented after the three day call in period.

Consultation:

This decisions were taken on the grounds of public safety. Extended engagement with existing service users will take place as part of the process to accommodate as much as possible at other NPT sites. Celtic Leisure are aware of the potential closure and will be instrumental in managing the staff communications and programming changes at Neath Leisure Centre.