Council in deep water as LEA pool fight continues...

10.26.29am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Jul 2008

Sarah Carr and Councillor Aubrey Oliver are fighting Conservative plans to close Hereford's LEA pool

Following a meeting of Herefordshire Council's Cabinet, Hereford's LEA pool has been given a stay of execution. With the Conservative Council administration looking to cut costs by axing the much-used pool, pressure from 38 schools, opposition councillors and residents has forced them into a temporary climbdown.

Sarah Carr and Aubrey Oliver, Councillor for the St Martins and Hinton area are leading the Liberal Democrat efforts pushing for the renovation and reopening of the pool. Visiting the pool after learning of the Council's plans for closure Sarah reinforced her support for the pool and the benefits it brings. Sarah said,

"I am concerned that Conservative-run Herefordshire Council is yet again putting money before the needs of the local community in proposals to close the LEA swimming pool. This pool has been used by more than 30 schools in teaching our children to swim and by local swimming clubs. The Council must think again and work out how they can make the refurbishments needed to keep the pool open to the benefit of our local community and schools across the county."

With the future of our LEA pool hanging in the balance, a decision on it is now due to be made on the 31st July when the Council's Cabinet next meets