Swimming pool in limbo as council rules out funds

Councillors have ruled out providing financial support to save a school's swimming pool from permanent closure.

The facility at Leigh North Street Primary School, in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, closed in July after its head teacher said it was too expensive to run.

In response, 2,547 people backed a petition calling on Southend-on-Sea City Council to step in and help keep the pool open.

However, a report going before the Labour-led authority on Monday concluded responsibility rested with the school and it could not intervene.

Chris Webster, the cabinet member for technology, learning and customer services, said it was "disappointing" the school felt it had no option but to close the pool.

"I know how important this facility is to local people, and I sincerely hope that the school and the wider community can work together to secure a future for the pool that everyone can support," she added.

Campaigners have vowed to continue their fight and are exploring if the facility can be transferred into community ownership, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Save North Street Pool campaign has raised more than £17,000 towards a £20,000 target through 110 donations.

Organiser Klaudia Bevan said the group was also considering the creation of a charity to run the pool.

School governors have indicated they would consider any viable community-led business case, although no "robust" proposal had yet been made, according to the report.

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