An agreement has been reached between trustees and a council to progress plans for a new swimming pool.
Trustees of the Southwell Leisure Centre Trust have issued a statement confirming an agreement for the trust’s legal fees to be paid, and asked swimmers to “exercise patience” as the plans move forwards.
It is now hoped that a joint statement will soon be agreed between Newark and Sherwood District Council, the trust, and once a formal proposal is presented, with Southwell Town Council.
The district council announced plans for a new £5.5million pool facility — to replace the existing leaking pool — in December 2023, and recently confirmed the commitment of the money when approving its spending plan for the next four years.
The plans have faced some delays over legal challenges relating to the transfer of land owned by the trust to the council for the new facility.
The update from the trust said: “The trustees have noted the criticism, from various sources, of the to date limited communication of our position in relation to the proposed £5.5m investment by Newark and Sherwood District Council (NSDC) for the building of a new swimming pool in Southwell. We therefore wish to set out our current position.
“All trustees are committed and dedicated to the objective of restoring swimming facilities to the beneficiaries of the trust, ie local people, at the earliest opportunity.
“Since the leakage in the main pool came to light in September 2023 and following discussion during December 2023 of the results of investigation and testing during the initial period of closure of the pool, we have been keen to explore both options of one, repairing the pool and two, replacing the pool, with the agreement of NSDC. As agreed with officers of NSDC just prior to Christmas 2023, we obtained a further quote for repair during February 2024 and this quote was passed to NSDC for consideration. We understand that this option was declined and that NSDC wishes to pursue the replacement option only.
“The trustees must follow charity law in making decisions and the legal situation is complex. We have followed NSDC and Charity Commission legal advice, issued in late February 2024, on the way forward. We are attempting to proceed as quickly as possible with a joint approach with NSDC to the Charity Commission, as well as other actions, to resolve the legal issues. We are pleased that we have very recently reached agreement with NSDC for our legal fees to be paid, so that we can make progress.
“We hope that a joint position statement might soon be agreed with NSDC and also, when a formal proposal has been put to them, with Southwell Town Council.
“We absolutely understand the frustration and anger being experienced by local swimmers but ask that all parties exercise patience in this complex and evolving situation.”
